Paul Dano

Paul Dano
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Name:
Paul Dano
Real name:
Paul Franklin Dano
Who is:
,
Birth date:
(41 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New York
Height:
6'1 ft ()
Weight:
161 lb (73 kg)
Namesakes:
Birth Sign:
Chinese zodiac:
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Paul Dano Biography

Paul Dano is an acclaimed American actor and director. He made his film debut starring in "The Newcomers." Since then, he's appeared in numerous hit films, including "The Girl Next Door," "Youth," "Taking Lives," "Cowboys & Aliens," "12 Years a Slave," "Looper," "Swiss Army Man," and many others. His directorial debut, "Wildlife," was nominated for awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival.
Paul Franklin Dano
Paul Franklin Dano

Early Life

Paul Franklin Dano was born on June 19, 1984, in New York. His mother was a homemaker, while his father owned his own business. At age three, Paul moved with his parents and younger sister Sara to the small town of New Canaan, Connecticut. He started first grade there but finished his education in nearby Wilton.
Paul Dano as s child (with Lea Michele)
Paul Dano as s child (with Lea Michele)
During school, Paul developed a deep passion for acting and frequently performed in theater productions. At age 12, he scored a major role in the play "Reap the Whirlwind." His love for cinema was sparked by legendary Hollywood actors George C. Scott and Charles Durning.
Young Paul Dano
Young Paul Dano
After graduating, Paul returned to New York and easily gained admission to the prestigious Eugene Lang College. There, faculty members recognized his exceptional acting talent and encouraged him to audition more frequently.

Acting Career

Paul Dano first faced the camera in 2000. His acting debut came in the melodrama "The Newcomers," where he played a boy who moves to a new town with his family. Critics praised his performance, and he didn't have to wait long for new offers.
A scene from 'The Newcomers'
A scene from 'The Newcomers'
In 2001, the crime drama "L.I.E." was released, where Paul played a pivotal character. His character, a young man named Howie, struggles with his mother's death and his father's neglect. For this role, he received the top prize at the Independent Spirit Award for "Best Debut Performance." Few actors can claim such a meteoric rise at such a young age.
Howie from the movie 'L.I.E.' is one of Paul Dano's early roles
Howie from the movie 'L.I.E.' is one of Paul Dano's early roles
From 2002 to 2005, Paul Dano took on mostly smaller roles. Audiences could see him in the drama "The Emperor's Club", the comedy "The Girl Next Door", the thriller "Taking Lives", and two romantic movies: "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" and "The King."
Paul Dano in 'The Sopranos'
Paul Dano in 'The Sopranos'
The actor's popularity surged in 2006 with the release of the adventure comedy "Little Miss Sunshine." Paul portrayed Dwayne, the main character's brother. In 2007, the film was nominated for an Oscar for "Best Picture." Critics called Paul's performance 'phenomenal.'
Paul Dano in 'Little Miss Sunshine'
Paul Dano in 'Little Miss Sunshine'
At 23, he landed a leading role in the historical drama "There Will Be Blood," about the rapid rise of an oil company. Paul's role earned him a nomination for the prestigious British BAFTA award. However, despite critical acclaim, he didn't win. The more experienced Spanish actor Javier Bardem received the honor.
'There Will Be Blood' is one of Paul Dano's best roles
'There Will Be Blood' is one of Paul Dano's best roles
Since 2007, the actor appeared in several low-budget films: "Light and the Sufferer," "Explicit Ills," "Gigantic," and "Taking Woodstock." Meanwhile, Dano frequently performed with the music group "Mook," where he sang and played guitar. In 2007, Rolling Stone magazine recognized him as one of the best guitarists of the modern era.
Paul Dano and Mook band
Paul often appeared in low-budget films and took on supporting roles, even though many—including critics and devoted fans—believed he deserved better. They were surprised by his seemingly modest choices. In interviews, he explained, "I know I can work with the most famous directors, but I'm interested in projects that offer new sensations and emotions."
Paul Dano often portrays quirky characters
Paul Dano often portrays quirky characters
In 2009, the actor returned to screens in "The Good Heart," playing a homeless man taken in by a bar owner. Since the owner didn't have an heir, he decided to train the young man. The situation became more complicated when a young woman, also in need of shelter, showed up.
Paul Dano Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters
From 2010 to 2012, Paul Dano was actively filming. His standout projects from this period include "The Extra Man," "Knight and Day" (starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz), "Meek's Cutoff," "Cowboys & Aliens" (alongside Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford), "Being Flynn," "For Ellen," "Ruby Sparks," and "Looper."
A frame from the movie 'Looper'
A frame from the movie 'Looper'
In 2013, Dano tackled the challenging role of Alex in "Prisoners" – an adult with a 10-year-old's mental capacity who becomes the prime suspect in a child kidnapping case. That same year, he delivered a chilling performance in "12 Years a Slave" as the brutal carpenter John Tibeats.
In '12 Years a Slave,' Paul Dano played a minor villain
In '12 Years a Slave,' Paul Dano played a minor villain
In 2015, Paul joined John Cusack in the biographical drama "Love & Mercy," chronicling the extraordinary life of Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson. Dano captured both the creative genius and tragic struggles of the legendary musician.
Paul Dano as Brian Wilson, leader of The Beach Boys
Paul Dano as Brian Wilson, leader of The Beach Boys
In 2016, he played Pierre Bezukhov in the TV series "War & Peace." Even Tolstoy purists had to admit that Paul's Pierre felt like he'd stepped straight from the novel's pages. Dano was clearly energized by the role, saying, "I really enjoyed playing Pierre; he's a wonderful character who gave me a lot."
Paul Dano as Pierre Bezukhov
Paul Dano as Pierre Bezukhov
Later that year, he starred in the wildly inventive "Swiss Army Man," playing Hank, a stranded man who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a corpse brilliantly brought to life by Daniel Radcliffe.
In 'Swiss Army Man,' Paul Dano befriended a corpse
In 'Swiss Army Man,' Paul Dano befriended a corpse
In 2018, Dano joined the cast of Bong Joon-ho's "Okja," playing an animal rights activist determined to protect a young girl and her beloved super-pig companion.
A shot from the movie 'Okja'
A shot from the movie 'Okja'
That October marked Paul Dano's directorial debut with "Wildlife," adapting Richard Ford's acclaimed novel. The film earned critical praise and a Cannes nomination for the Camera d'Or (Best First Feature), though it ultimately lost to Lukas Dhont's "Girl."
Wildlife – Official Trailer
While countless filmmakers have tackled divorce through a child's eyes, Dano brought something genuinely fresh to this well-worn territory. Critics have called him a "master of psychological torment." Dano did not act in "Wildlife." Instead, the main roles were played by Carey Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal, and young actor Ed Oxenbould, who bears a striking resemblance to the "Wildlife" director.

Paul Dano's Personal Life

In 2007, Paul met actress Zoe Kazan. What started as casual conversation quickly blossomed into something more serious. The couple frequently appears together at public events, with tabloids reporting zero drama between them.

Even so, they're in no hurry to take things to the next level. In one interview, Paul said, "I put a lot of time into my career, so I haven't really thought about family life yet. Either way, it's personal, so I don't feel the need to share details about my private relationships."
Paul Dano is in a long-term relationship with actress Zoe Kazan
Paul Dano is in a long-term relationship with actress Zoe Kazan
The couple has two children: a daughter born in August 2018 and a son born in October 2022. Paul and Zoe prefer not to publicize their children's names.

Paul Dano Now

In 2022, another "Batman" reboot hit theaters, this time starring Robert Pattinson in the title role. Paul Dano played the role of the villain named Riddler, one of Batman's main adversaries. Director Matt Reeves describes his Riddler as more than just a serial killer – he's a full-blown terrorist. Paul has said in interviews that his character's terrifying presence more than makes up for limited screen time.
Paul Dano as The Riddler
Paul Dano as The Riddler
One of Dano's prominent roles was in Steven Spielberg's autobiographical drama "The Fabelmans". He plays Bert Fabelman, the protagonist's father – a practical man who doesn't share his son's filmmaking passion.
A scene from 'The Fabelmans'
A scene from 'The Fabelmans'
In 2023, audiences saw Dano take the lead in financial comedy "Bad Money," based on the true story of small investors who took on Wall Street's biggest players. Dano plays Keith Gill, a financial analyst and self-described geek who put everything into shares of struggling gaming retailer GameStop.
Paul Dano in 'Bad Money'
Paul Dano in 'Bad Money'

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