Paul Dano

Paul Franklin Dano, an American actor born on June 19, 1984, gained broad notice with his role in L.I.E. (2001), earning him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance. His portrayal of a troubled teen in Little Miss Sunshine (2006) intensified his recognition. A significant milestone in his career was his performance as identical twins in Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood (2007), which nominated him for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. Eventually, Dano diversified into mainstream films like Knight and Day (2010), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), and Looper (2012). His performance in 12 Years a Slave and Prisoners (both 2013) were critically acclaimed. He shone as Beach Boys' founder Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy (2014), earning him a Golden Globe nomination. In 2018, he appeared in Showtime's Escape at Dannemora, bagging a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Born in New York City, his parents are Gladys (a homemaker) and Paul A. Dano(a financial advisor). He has a younger sister, Sarah. Their family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut, and finally settled in Wilton, Connecticut. Dano, who was involved in community theater at a young age, successfully made his breakthrough in performing arts. Dano made his Broadway debut at age twelve and was part of productions like A Free Man of Color (2010–2011) and True West (2019). In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the drama film Wildlife, co-written with partner Zoe Kazan. Moreover, he authored the comic book The Riddler: Year One (2022). Dano's personal life has been quite stable – he has been in a relationship with actress and screenwriter Zoe Kazan since 2007. They have two children and reside in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn.