Paul Dano Biography
Summary
"Paul Franklin Dano" (born June 19, 1984) is an American actor and producer. He has appeared in films such as "L.I.E" (2001), "The Girl Next Door" (2004), "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006), and "There Will Be Blood" (2007).
Early life
Dano was born in New York, NY. He spent the first few years of his childhood in New York City and initially attended the Browning School while his father worked as a businessman in New York.
While he was still a child, Dano's family moved from New York to New Canaan, Connecticut, finally settling in Wilton, Connecticut, where Dano continued his education at Wilton High School, graduating in 2002.
As a child he was involved in community theatre, and while performing in New Canaan his parents were encouraged to take him to New York City. At age 10, he was quickly scouted for roles in plays on Broadway, making his debut at age 12 in a revival of "Inherit the Wind" along with George C. Scott and Charles Durning. At age 15, Dano acted in his first major film role as Howie in "L.I.E."
Career
Since appearing as Howie Blitzer in "L.I.E.", Dano has played Dwayne in the feature film "Little Miss Sunshine" and Eli and Paul Sunday in Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood", and continues working in other, mostly independent, films. In the film "Little Miss Sunshine", he played Dwayne, a teenager who took a vow of silence until he could accomplish his dream of being a test pilot. He said in an interview that it took days to practice his vow of silence. "There Will Be Blood" landed him on a BAFTA award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but lost to Javier Bardem for "No Country for Old Men". "There Will Be Blood" brought him positive reviews, with "Texas Monthly" saying that his performance is 'so electric that the movie sags whenever he's not around.' and Peter Travers remarking 'All praise to the baby-faced Dano...for bringing sly cunning and unexpected ferocity to Plainview's most formidable opponent.' He is also active on stage, and has appeared in several Broadway productions including "A Christmas Carol", "Ragtime", "Inherit the Wind", "A Month in the Country", "A Thousand Clowns" at the Roundabout Theatre and the Ethan Hawke directorial debut "Things We Want" during its 2007 off-Broadway run. As a side project, he also provides vocals and lead guitar for the band Mook.
"Rolling Stone" magazine included Dano on its Hot List '07 under Hotcoming Attractions, calling his performance style 'Daniel Day-Lewis + Billy Crudup x Johnny Depp.'
He is rumored to be appearing in the next Todd Solondz film "Life During Wartime".
Personal life
Dano resides in New York City. He attends Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, studying literature. He also attended Pace University in Downtown Manhattan, studying English and Literature. As of April 2009, Dano is romantically linked to actress Zoe Kazan.
Awards and nominations
Wins
L.A. Outfest (2001, "Grand Jury Award" as "Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film" for "L.I.E." (2001), tied with Kett Turton for "Gypsy 83" (2001))
Stockholm Film Festival (2001, "Best Actor" for "L.I.E.")
Independent Spirit Awards (2002, "Best Debut Performance" for "L.I.E.")
Fantasporto (2003, 'Directors' Week Award' as "Best Actor" for "L.I.E.")
Screen Actors Guild Awards (2007, "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture" for "Little Miss Sunshine", shared with Kinnear, Collette, Carell, Breslin and Arkin)
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards (2007, as "Best Young Actor" for "Little Miss Sunshine")
Chlotrudis Awards (2008, as "Best Supporting Actor" for "There Will Be Blood")
Nominations
Gotham Awards (2006, nominated, "Best Ensemble Cast" for "Little Miss Sunshine"; shared with Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carell, Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin)
Independent Spirit Awards (2007, nominated, as "Best Supporting Male" for "Little Miss Sunshine")
Empire Film Awards (UK) (2007, nominated as "Best Male Newcomer" for "Little Miss Sunshine")
Detroit Film Critics Society (2007, nominated, as "Best Supporting Actor" for "There Will Be Blood")
BAFTA Awards (2008, nominated, as "Best Supporting Actor" for "There Will Be Blood")
Filmography
"The Extra Man" (2010) - TBA
"Taking Woodstock" (2009) - Guy
"Where the Wild Things Are" (2009) (voice) - Alexander
"The Good Heart" (2009) - Lukas
"Gigantic" (2009) - Brian" (also executive producer)"
"Explicit Ills" (2008) - Rocco
"There Will Be Blood" (2007) - Eli Sunday and Paul Sunday
"Weapons" (2007) - Chris
"Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) - Dwayne
"Fast Food Nation" (2006) - Brian
"The King" (2005) - Paul Sandow
"The Ballad of Jack and Rose" (2005) - Thaddius
"Taking Lives" (2004) - Young Asher
"The Girl Next Door" (2004) - Klitz
"Light and the Sufferer" (2004) - Don (aka: Light)
"The Emperor's Club" (2002) - Martin Blythe
"Too Young to Be a Dad" (2002) (TV) (credited as Paul Franklin Dano) - Matt Freeman
"L.I.E." (2001) (credited as Paul Franklin Dano) - Howie Blitzer
"The Newcomers" (2000) - Joel
External links
(Paul Dano comprehensive profile)
(Reverbnation.com/mook) - Information about Paul's band Mook
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Paul Dano.
