Stephen Dorff - Dorff's Late Mother Is Guiding His Career

STEPHEN DORFF credits his late mother with his career resurgence, insisting her energy is helping him win movie roles.

Nancy Dorff lost her battle with brain cancer last February (08), leaving the 36 year old devastated.

After nursing her in her final months, Dorff admits he found it tough returning to Hollywood - but now he's back and insists he can feel his mother's spirit urging him on.

And he's convinced she helped him land his big new movie role, in Sofia Coppola film Somewhere.

In a chat with pal Owen Wilson for the new issue of Interview magazine, Dorff says, "It's been an intense year for my family. I lost my mom last year, but I feel like she's really been with me and with us, guiding us. I'd never really lost anybody before in my immediate family. Your mom is the person you don't ever want to lose, but in losing her, I had all these great things that started happening. I think she was part of me getting the whole Sofia (Coppola) movie.

"She was the ultimate mom. It kills me that she's gone, but at the same time, I think she's given me strength. I think my mom will be up there, hopefully smiling."