---
name: "Paul Dano"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/paul-dano"
fi1m_id: "paul-dano"
imdb_id: "nm0200452"
tmdb_id: 17142
wikidata_id: "Q343616"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 June 1984"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 19
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 19
updated: "2026-10-07T17:33:37.354870+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Paul Dano

## Identity

Paul Dano

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/paul-dano
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** paul-dano
- **IMDb ID:** nm0200452
- **TMDB ID:** 17142
- **Wikidata ID:** Q343616
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dano, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q343616, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200452/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17142

Actor. Born 19 June 1984 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 June 1984, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 2005–present
- **Also known as:** Paul Franklin Dano
- **Frequently works with:** [Catherine Keener](https://film.one/person/catherine-keener.md), [Daniel Day-Lewis](https://film.one/person/daniel-day-lewis.md), [Michelle Williams](https://film.one/person/michelle-williams.md), [Seth Rogen](https://film.one/person/seth-rogen.md)
- **SAG Awards:** 1 SAG Award (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 19 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 75 (4), 2010s 76 (8), 2020s 72 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 73 across 18 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 7 of 18 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 16, Comedy 7, Crime 3, History 3, Thriller 3, Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 30 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,491m across 14 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dano, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q343616, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200452/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17142

## Coming up

- *Bunker* (2027-02-19), as Andrew
- *Possession* (2027-06-10)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*The Studio*](https://film.one/tv/the-studio.md) (84), [*Looper*](https://film.one/film/looper.md) (78), [*Escape at Dannemora*](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md) (74)
- **Peacock:** [*Meek's Cutoff*](https://film.one/film/meeks-cutoff.md) (82), [*The Fabelmans*](https://film.one/film/the-fabelmans.md) (76), [*War and Peace*](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md) (65)
- **Hulu:** [*There Will Be Blood*](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md) (88), [*Where the Wild Things Are*](https://film.one/film/where-the-wild-things-are.md) (80)
- **HBO Max:** [*Fantasmas*](https://film.one/tv/fantasmas.md) (84), [*The Batman*](https://film.one/film/the-batman.md) (74)
- **Netflix:** [*Swiss Army Man*](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md) (75)
- **Disney+:** [*Dumb Money*](https://film.one/film/dumb-money.md) (64)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Paul Dano

> Paul Dano makes awkwardness specific: a held breath, a tremulous voice, a certainty that survives being laughed at. We value his patience with difficult people, though even his careful acting cannot supply what a script has left out.

In *Dumb Money* (2023), Paul Dano takes a breath before going live; elsewhere, he absorbs his brother’s mockery without looking up from a spreadsheet. As Keith Gill, he makes an awkward man’s certainty look like something that requires daily effort. We warmed to him because he kept working through the mockery rather than asking for our sympathy. Craig Gillespie’s film does too little to explain Gill’s faith in GameStop, but Dano gives us the concentration behind it. For much of the first hour, his performance is enough to keep us interested.

*Little Miss Sunshine* (2006) gave him his breakthrough as the silent, Nietzsche-reading Dwayne Hoover. *There Will Be Blood* (2007) followed, with his Eli Sunday facing Daniel Day-Lewis under Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction. His high, tremulous delivery gives Eli’s intensity an unpleasant edge. The recurring misfit roles can make Dano seem easier to predict than he is, but physical restraint and sudden outbursts offer quite different ways of making a scene uncomfortable.

He made his directing debut with *Wildlife* (2018), co-written with Zoe Kazan. The acting continued across markedly different parts: the Riddler in *The Batman* (2022), and Burt Fabelman in *The Fabelmans* (2022), Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical family drama. Playing a version of Spielberg’s father takes him some distance from the young outsiders who made his name.

*Dumb Money* gives us a particularly clear example of what works and where the limitations lie. Dano does not play Gill’s headband and webcam for easy affection; the pauses and the persistence are what hold our attention. Yet we still need to know why this man believes in this company, and Gillespie’s film never gives us enough of an answer. We recommend the performance more readily than the film. Start there for the pleasure of watching an actor take a supposedly endearing eccentric seriously.

## Biography

Paul Franklin Dano (born 19 June 1984) is an American actor and filmmaker. He began his career in theatre, appearing on Broadway as a child, before making his film debut in The Newcomers (2000). He received the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance for his role in L.I.E. (2001).

Dano is known for roles including Dwayne Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Paul Sunday and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood (2007), Seth in Looper (2012), John Tibeats in 12 Years a Slave (2013), Alex Jones in Prisoners (2013), Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy (2014), and Edward Nashton / The Riddler in The Batman (2022). He played Keith Gill in Dumb Money (2023).

He made his directorial debut with Wildlife (2018), which he co-wrote with his partner Zoe Kazan. Dano received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role in the miniseries Escape at Dannemora (2018) and appeared in the series The Studio (2025).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (19)

- *The Wizard of the Kremlin* (2026), Fi1m 50, as Vadim Baranov — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wizard-of-the-kremlin.md)
- *The Studio* (2025), Fi1m 84, as Paul Dano — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-studio.md)
- *Fantasmas* (2024), Fi1m 84, as Jeff — [page](https://film.one/tv/fantasmas.md)
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), Fi1m 73, as Hot Neighbor — [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Dumb Money* (2023), Fi1m 64, as Keith Gill — [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-money.md)
- *The Batman* (2022), Fi1m 74, as The Riddler — [page](https://film.one/film/the-batman.md)
- *The Fabelmans* (2022), Fi1m 76, as Burt Fabelman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-fabelmans.md)
- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), Fi1m 74, as David Sweat — [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *Swiss Army Man* (2016), Fi1m 75, as Hank — [page](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md)
- *War and Peace* (2016), Fi1m 65, as Pierre Bezukhov — [page](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md)
- *Youth* (2015), Fi1m 66, as Jimmy Tree — [page](https://film.one/film/youth-2015.md)
- *12 Years a Slave* (2013), Fi1m 91, as John Tibeats — [page](https://film.one/film/12-years-a-slave.md)
- *Prisoners* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Alex Jones — [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *Looper* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Seth — [page](https://film.one/film/looper.md)
- *Meek's Cutoff* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Thomas Gately — [page](https://film.one/film/meeks-cutoff.md)
- *Where the Wild Things Are* (2009), Fi1m 80, as Alexander (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/where-the-wild-things-are.md)
- *There Will Be Blood* (2007), Fi1m 88, as Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday — [page](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md)
- *Little Miss Sunshine* (2006), Fi1m 78, as Dwayne Hoover — [page](https://film.one/film/little-miss-sunshine.md)
- *The Ballad of Jack and Rose* (2005), Fi1m 54, as Thaddius — [page](https://film.one/film/the-ballad-of-jack-and-rose.md)

## Complete filmography (57)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Possession* (2027), Actor
- *Bunker* (2027), as Andrew
- *Sia: Nostalgic for the Present* (2026), Actor
- *The Wizard of the Kremlin* (2026), as Vadim Baranov — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wizard-of-the-kremlin.md)
- *The Studio* (2025), series, as Paul Dano — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-studio.md)
- *The Apprentice* (2024), Thanks — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/the-apprentice.md)
- *Fantasmas* (2024), series, as Jeff — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/fantasmas.md)
- *Spaceman* (2024), as Hanuš (voice)
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), series, as Hot Neighbor — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Dumb Money* (2023), as Keith Gill — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/dumb-money.md)
- *The Fabelmans* (2022), as Burt Fabelman — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-fabelmans.md)
- *Pantheon* (2022), series, as Caspian Keyes (voice)
- *The Batman* (2022), as The Riddler — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-batman.md)
- *The Guilty* (2021), as Matthew Fontenot (voice)
- *The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America* (2020), as Prior Walter
- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), series, as David Sweat — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *Wildlife* (2018), Screenplay, Director, Producer
- *Okja* (2017), as Jay
- *Swiss Army Man* (2016), as Hank — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/swiss-army-man.md)
- *War and Peace* (2016), series, as Pierre Bezukhov — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/war-and-peace.md)
- *Love & Mercy* (2015), as Brian Wilson 1960s
- *Youth* (2015), as Jimmy Tree — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/youth-2015.md)
- *12 Years a Slave* (2013), as John Tibeats — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/12-years-a-slave.md)
- *Prisoners* (2013), as Alex Jones — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *Looper* (2012), as Seth — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/looper.md)
- *Ruby Sparks* (2012), as Calvin · Executive Producer
- *Being Flynn* (2012), as Nick Flynn
- *For Ellen* (2012), as Joby Taylor · Executive Producer
- *Flatscreen* (2012), as Paul
- *Cowboys & Aliens* (2011), as Percy Dolarhyde
- *Meek's Cutoff* (2011), as Thomas Gately — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/meeks-cutoff.md)
- *The Extra Man* (2010), as Louis Ives
- *Knight and Day* (2010), as Simon Feck
- *Where the Wild Things Are* (2009), as Alexander (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/where-the-wild-things-are.md)
- *The Good Heart* (2009), as Lucas
- *Taking Woodstock* (2009), as VW Guy
- *Gigantic* (2008), as Brian · Executive Producer
- *Light and the Sufferer* (2008), as Don (AKA: Light)
- *Explicit Ills* (2008), as Rocco
- *There Will Be Blood* (2007), as Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/there-will-be-blood.md)
- *Weapons* (2007), as Chris
- *Fast Food Nation* (2006), as Brian
- *Little Miss Sunshine* (2006), as Dwayne Hoover — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/little-miss-sunshine.md)
- *The King* (2006), as Paul
- *The Ballad of Jack and Rose* (2005), as Thaddius — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-ballad-of-jack-and-rose.md)
- *The Girl Next Door* (2004), as Klitz
- *Taking Lives* (2004), as Young Asher
- *The Emperor's Club* (2002), as Martin Blythe
- *Too Young to Be a Dad* (2002), as Matt Freeman
- *L.I.E.* (2001), as Howie Blitzer
- *The Newcomers* (2000), as Joel
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Patrick Whaley — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Smart Guy* (1997), series, as Nicholas
- *Sensei Rainbow and the Dojo Kids*, series, as Paul
- *Untitled Paul Dano Comedy Film*, Writer, Director, Producer
- *The Chaperones*, Actor
- *Vegas: A Love Story*, as Ryder

## Gallery

- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-672ca770106a.jpg) Paul Dano — Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Paul_Dano_at_Berlinale_2024_Ausschnitt.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Paul Dano at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave, 2013 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-5095ba135726.jpg) Paul Dano at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave, 2013 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/12_Years_a_Slave_61_%289730584389%29.jpg/1280px-12_Years_a_Slave_61_%289730584389%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Paul Dano at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave, 2013 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-7395862f1fe6.jpg) Paul Dano at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave, 2013 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/12_Years_a_Slave_62_%289733811504%29.jpg/1280px-12_Years_a_Slave_62_%289733811504%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Film Cast of Spaceman: Kunal Nayyar, Carey Mulligan, Adam Sandler and Paul Dano at Berlinale 2024](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-8309b6ffbaea.jpg) Film Cast of Spaceman: Kunal Nayyar, Carey Mulligan, Adam Sandler and Paul Dano at Berlinale 2024 — Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Film_Cast_of_Spaceman_at_Berlinale_2024-1.jpg/1280px-Film_Cast_of_Spaceman_at_Berlinale_2024-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-226b1eb54b01.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-fc8f8645e200.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-08c012d6fbe1.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB
- ![Film Cast of Spaceman: Kunal Nayyar, Carey Mulligan, Adam Sandler and Paul Dano at Berlinale 2024](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-5a1d90d3bfab.jpg) Film Cast of Spaceman: Kunal Nayyar, Carey Mulligan, Adam Sandler and Paul Dano at Berlinale 2024 — Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Film_Cast_of_Spaceman_at_Berlinale_2024.jpg/1280px-Film_Cast_of_Spaceman_at_Berlinale_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Olivier Assayas et Emmanuel Carrère à l'avant-première du "Mage du Kremlin" à la Cinémathèque française, le 13 janvier 2026.](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-9e572dba52b8.jpg) Olivier Assayas et Emmanuel Carrère à l'avant-première du "Mage du Kremlin" à la Cinémathèque française, le 13 janvier 2026. — ManoSolo13241324, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Olivier_Assayas_et_Emmanuel_Carr%C3%A8re_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-3fb553261b6e.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-fed27cd2d551.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Dano](https://film.one/media/person/15839/gallery-e86d1e73527c.jpg) Paul Dano — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2008: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (nominated), for *There Will Be Blood*

### SAG Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2014: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *12 Years a Slave*
- 2007: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *Little Miss Sunshine*

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor 2008: Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *There Will Be Blood*
- Independent Spirit Awards 2007: Best Supporting Male (nominated), for *Little Miss Sunshine*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/paul-dano