Stephen Dorff's Chilling Role

In the new psychological thriller "Cold Creek Manor," Stephen Dorff stars as the former owner of a recently repossessed mansion in rural upstate New York.

But when a family gives up the fast pace and high stress of city life to move into the creepy mansion, they soon find out that their new home may not be completely free of its previous inhabitants.

Dorff visited The Early Show to discuss his latest role of an emotionally unstable man who wants to reclaim his family heritage.

In the movie, the Tilson family begins to renovate, but soon they discover their new home harbors secrets and a horrific past.

The director of the movie, Mike Figgis, says he thought of his friend Dorff for the role of Dale Massie because the actor was at the right point in his career to play that type of character. Dorff says he was quick to commit to working on the film, which also stars Dennis Quaid, Sharon Stone, Juliette Lewis and Christopher Plummer.

Dorff says he was blown away by his character because Dale is rich with emotion and textured with layers of schizophrenia and confusion. The challenge of such a part, he explains, was to make audience feel empathy for the complex Dale.

"Cold Creek Manor" opens Friday, Sept. 19.

Some Facts About Stephen Dorff

• Born July 29, 1973 in Atlanta, Ga.
• Dorff made his television movie debut in the 1987's "In Love and War"
• The actor made his feature debut in the teen horror flick "The Gate"
• Dorff was chosen from over 2,000 young men around the world for the coveted role of PK in John Avildsen's "The Power of One" in 1992; for his performance, he was awarded the Male Star of Tomorrow Award from the National Association of Theater Owners
• Dorff won a MTV Movie and Blockbuster Entertainment Award for his vampire role in the 1998's "Blade"