Paul Dano Expresses Deep Gratitude for His Supporters
At the 20th anniversary screening of “Little Miss Sunshine” during the Sundance Film Festival, Paul Dano took a moment to express his heartfelt gratitude to his supporters. This acknowledgment comes in light of an incident involving Quentin Tarantino, who publicly criticized Dano’s performance in the acclaimed film “There Will Be Blood.”
Paul Dano’s Response to Criticism
During an interview with Variety, Dano reflected on the overwhelming support he received after Tarantino’s remarks. In December 2025, Tarantino labeled Dano as the “weakest fucking actor in SAG” on Bret Easton Ellis’s podcast. This disparaging comment sparked an outpouring of support for Dano from fellow actors and fans alike.
Support from Fellow Actors
- George Clooney expressed he would be “honored” to work with Dano.
- Ben Stiller praised Dano’s talent, calling him “brilliant.”
- Zach Woods criticized Tarantino, labeling him as one of the “masters of ripping off Asian directors.”
Dano’s supporters included co-stars and colleagues, who joined him at the Sundance event to vocalize their solidarity. Toni Collette, at the screening, expressed her disbelief at Tarantino’s comments. She stated, “Fuck that guy! He must’ve been high. It was just confusing. Who does that?”
Insight from Colleagues
Comments from Dano’s collaborators highlighted the nature of artistic interpretation. Little Miss Sunshine co-director Jonathan Dayton noted that Tarantino’s discomfort might stem from Dano’s raw and ambiguous performance. He reasoned that such depth can often unsettle audiences unaccustomed to complexity in acting.
As the discussion surrounding these events unfolds, it becomes clear that Dano’s work has left a significant impression on his peers, reinforcing his standing in the industry.
