History of Paul Dano in Timeline

Paul Franklin Dano is a celebrated American actor known for his versatile roles. His early career saw him winning the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance in L.I.E. (2001). He achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of a troubled teenager in the critically acclaimed film Little Miss Sunshine (2006). His performance as identical twins in Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood (2007) earned him a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, further solidifying his reputation as a talented performer.

June 19, 1984: Birth of Paul Dano

Paul Franklin Dano was born on June 19, 1984, in New York City.

1990: Publication of "Wildlife"

The novel "Wildlife," written by Richard Ford, and later adapted into a film directed by Paul Dano, was published in 1990.

1996: Ragtime Performance

In 1996, Paul Dano portrayed The Little Boy (Edgar) in the world premiere of the musical "Ragtime" in Toronto.

2000: The Newcomers and Smart Guy

Paul Dano appeared in the film "The Newcomers" and an episode of the sitcom "Smart Guy" in 2000.

2001: Independent Spirit Award and L.I.E. Debut

In 2001, Paul Dano won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance for his role in the film "L.I.E."

2001: Film Debut in L.I.E.

Paul Dano acted in his first major film role in "L.I.E." in 2001.

2002: Role in The Emperor's Club

Dano appeared in the film "The Emperor's Club" in 2002.

2002: High School Graduation

Paul Dano graduated from Wilton High School in 2002.

2004: Taking Lives and The Girl Next Door

In 2004, Dano appeared in the films "Taking Lives" and "The Girl Next Door."

2005: Supporting Roles in The King and The Ballad of Jack and Rose

Dano played supporting roles in the films "The King" and "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" in 2005.

2006: Little Miss Sunshine and Fast Food Nation

In 2006, Paul Dano starred in "Little Miss Sunshine" and had a supporting role in "Fast Food Nation."

2006: Breakthrough with Little Miss Sunshine

Paul Dano gained wider recognition in 2006 for his role as Dwayne, a voluntarily mute teenager, in the critically acclaimed film "Little Miss Sunshine."

2007: Broadway and Off-Broadway Appearances

In 2007, Paul Dano appeared in the Broadway production of "A Thousand Clowns" and the Off-Broadway production of "Things We Want."

2007: BAFTA Nomination for There Will Be Blood

In 2007, Paul Dano received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of identical twins in the film "There Will Be Blood."

2007: Relationship with Zoe Kazan Begins

Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan began their relationship in 2007.

2007: Critics' Choice Award Wins

Paul Dano won the Critics' Choice Award twice in 2007. The specific awards were not provided.

2007: Critical Acclaim for There Will Be Blood

Paul Dano's performance in "There Will Be Blood" in 2007 garnered positive reviews and a BAFTA nomination.

2008: Gigantic Release

Paul Dano starred in the film "Gigantic" in 2008.

2009: Good Heart and Where the Wild Things Are

In 2009, Dano appeared in the film "Good Heart" and voiced a character in "Where the Wild Things Are."

2010: Knight and Day and Meek's Cutoff

Paul Dano appeared in "Knight and Day" and "Meek's Cutoff" in 2010.

2010: Supporting Role in Knight and Day

Paul Dano appeared in a supporting role in the action thriller "Knight and Day" in 2010.

2010: A Free Man of Color on Broadway

Paul Dano starred in the Broadway production of "A Free Man of Color" from 2010-2011.

2011: A Free Man of Color on Broadway

In 2011, Paul Dano finished starring in the Broadway play "A Free Man of Color".

2011: Supporting Role in Cowboys & Aliens

In 2011, Paul Dano had a supporting role in the science fiction film "Cowboys & Aliens."

2011: Cowboys & Aliens Release

Paul Dano had a supporting role in the film "Cowboys & Aliens," released in 2011.

2012: Looper and Other Roles

Dano appeared in three films in 2012: "Looper", "Ruby Sparks", and "Being Flynn."

2012: Ruby Sparks, Looper, and Being Flynn

Paul Dano starred in "Ruby Sparks," and had supporting roles in "Looper" and "Being Flynn" in 2012.

2013: 12 Years a Slave Release

In 2013, Paul Dano appeared in the critically acclaimed film "12 Years a Slave."

2013: Acclaimed Roles in 12 Years a Slave and Prisoners

Paul Dano had critically acclaimed roles in the films "12 Years a Slave" and "Prisoners" in 2013.

2014: Golden Globe Nomination for Love & Mercy

Dano received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Brian Wilson in "Love & Mercy" in 2014.

2014: Love & Mercy and Golden Globe Nomination

Paul Dano portrayed Brian Wilson in "Love & Mercy" in 2014, earning a Golden Globe nomination.

2014: Critics' Choice Award Nomination

Paul Dano was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award in 2014. The specific award was not provided.

2015: Youth Release

Paul Dano appeared in the film "Youth" in 2015.

January 2016: War and Peace Miniseries

In January 2016, Paul Dano appeared as Pierre Bezukhov in the BBC miniseries adaptation of "War and Peace."

July 2016: Directorial Debut Announcement

In July 2016, Paul Dano announced his directorial debut with "Wildlife," an adaptation of Richard Ford's novel. The film, produced by June Pictures, starred Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, and focused on family dynamics.

2016: Sia's Nostalgic for the Present Tour

In 2016, Paul Dano appeared as an onstage stand-in during Sia's concert tour.

2016: "Swiss Army Man" Release

Paul Dano starred as Hank Thompson in the absurdist black comedy "Swiss Army Man" in 2016, alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The film premiered at Sundance and had a theatrical release, receiving mixed reactions.

August 2018: Birth of First Child

Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan's first child, a daughter, was born in August 2018.

December 27, 2018: "True West" Broadway Debut

Paul Dano starred in the Broadway revival of "True West" alongside Ethan Hawke, which opened on December 27, 2018 at the American Airlines Theater in New York.

2018: Emmy Nomination for Escape at Dannemora

In 2018, Dano starred in "Escape at Dannemora," earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

2018: "Escape at Dannemora" and Emmy Nomination

In 2018, Paul Dano played David Sweat in "Escape at Dannemora," a Showtime miniseries, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

2018: Directorial Debut with Wildlife

Paul Dano made his directorial debut with the film "Wildlife" in 2018, which he co-wrote with Zoe Kazan.

March 17, 2019: End of "True West" Run

Paul Dano's run in the Broadway revival of "True West" concluded on March 17, 2019.

October 2019: Casting as The Riddler

In October 2019, Paul Dano was cast as The Riddler in Matt Reeves' "The Batman." Reeves specifically wrote the role with Dano in mind.

2019: True West on Broadway

Paul Dano starred in the Broadway production of "True West" in 2019.

April 2021: Casting in "The Fabelmans"

Paul Dano was cast as Burt Fabelman in Steven Spielberg's "The Fabelmans" in April 2021.

March 2022: "The Riddler: Year One" and "Pantheon"

In March 2022, Paul Dano debuted as a comic book writer with "The Riddler: Year One." He also starred in the animated drama "Pantheon."

September 2022: Casting in "Dumb Money"

Paul Dano joined the cast of "Dumb Money" in September 2022.

October 2022: Birth of Second Child

Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan's second child, a son, was born in October 2022.

2022: Release of "The Batman"

"The Batman," starring Paul Dano as the Riddler, was released in 2022.

2022: Release of "The Fabelmans" and Award Nominations

"The Fabelmans," featuring Paul Dano, was released in 2022 to critical acclaim, earning Dano award nominations, including nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

2022: The Batman and The Fabelmans

Paul Dano played The Riddler in "The Batman" and a father in "The Fabelmans" in 2022, receiving a SAG nomination for the latter.

2022: The Riddler: Year One Comic Book

Paul Dano wrote the comic book "The Riddler: Year One" in 2022.

September 2023: Release of "Dumb Money" and Cannes Film Festival Jury Member

"Dumb Money" was released in September 2023. The same year, Paul Dano served on the Feature Film Jury at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

March 2024: Release of "Spaceman" and "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" Appearance

Paul Dano appeared in "Spaceman" on Netflix and the television series "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" in March 2024. He received an Emmy nomination for his role in the latter.