Dwight Edward Ewell, an American actor, was born in Williamston, North Carolina, to teenage parents. His father served in Vietnam and the United States Military for six years, while his mother, unhappy in her marriage, took care of Dwight and his younger sister.
At the age of 21, Dwight's mother left her husband and moved the family to the northern states, where she pursued a career as a singer. They settled in the rough Stella Wright Housing Projects on Prince Street in Newark. Dwight and his sister attended the Louise A. Spencer Elementary School, where he was enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Program, which nurtured his interest in the arts.
At the age of 9, Dwight began writing plays, directing, and performing with his classmates. At 13, he auditioned for and was accepted into Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey. In 1986, he graduated and attended The State University of New York's Theater Arts and Film Divisions' Acting Program for four years, alongside notable actors and directors, including Parker Posey, Sherry Stringfield, Terry Serpico, and Stanley Tucci.
Dwight started his professional acting career in independent films in New York in the 1990s. He is best known for his performance as Hooper X in the film "Chasing Amy," directed by Kevin Smith. He has worked with Kevin Smith three times on films such as "Chasing Amy," "Dogma," and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back."
Dwight has also collaborated with directors Hal Hartley, Daisy Von Scherler Mayer, and Christine Vachon on multiple projects. To date, he has acted in over 34 films, including "Amateur," "Flirt," "Party Girl," "The Guru," "Stonewall," and "Kiss Me, Guido."
