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Paul Dano

Paul Dano

32 movies on Netflix

Biography

An American actor and filmmaker, Paul Dano has worked in independent movies and blockbusters. His first film role came in L.I.E. (2001), and he drew wider notice as Dwayne, a mute teenager, in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Playing two parts in There Will Be Blood (2007) earned him a BAFTA supporting actor nomination. He moved into bigger films with Looper (2012), Cowboys & Aliens (2011), and Knight and Day (2010), then won praise for 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Prisoners (2013). His portrayal of Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy (2015) brought a Golden Globe supporting actor nomination. On television, he was Emmy-nominated for Escape at Dannemora (2018). He appeared as the Riddler in The Batman (2022) and in The Fabelmans (2022), earning a Screen Actors Guild nomination for the latter. He directed and co-wrote Wildlife (2018), wrote the comic The Riddler: Year One (2022), and acted on Broadway in True West and A Free Man of Color.

42years old

Turns 43 on June 19in 250 days

  • Born New York City
  • Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
  • Paul Franklin Dano (birth name)

Movie Career

Films
32
Career span
23 years2001 to 2024

Genres

First and latest

Photos

  • Paul Dano, photo 1 of 3
  • Paul Dano, photo 2 of 3
  • Paul Dano, photo 3 of 3

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  1. First role

    At twelve, Dano first appeared on Broadway in John Tillinger's revival of Inherit the Wind, sharing the stage with George C. Scott and Charles Durning.

  2. Big break

    Dano was cast as The Riddler in The Batman after director Matt Reeves wrote the role with him in mind, having seen his portrayal of Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy.

  3. Behind the camera

    Dano wrote a six-issue comic book limited series, The Riddler: Year One, for DC's Black Label imprint, set in the continuity of The Batman.

Paul Dano movies on Netflix

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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  1. There Will Be Blood2007 Dramaas Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday

    IMDb rating 8.2719K votes

  2. The Batman2022 Action, Crime, Dramaas Edward Nashton

    IMDb rating 7.8949K votes

  3. Looper2012as Seth

    IMDb rating 7.4633K votes

  4. 12 Years a Slave2013as John Tibeats

    IMDb rating 8.1795K votes

  5. Little Miss Sunshine2006as Dwayne

    IMDb rating 7.8566K votes

  6. Prisoners2013as Alex Jones

    IMDb rating 8.2959K votes

  7. Swiss Army Man2016as Hank

    IMDb rating 6.9143K votes

  8. Ruby Sparks2012as Calvin Weir-Fields

    IMDb rating 7.2110K votes

Most often with

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris directed two of these films together. Three actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Ethan Hawke, 3 films togetherSee the 3 films with Ethan HawkePeter Sarsgaard, 3 films togetherSee the 3 films with Peter SarsgaardJake Gyllenhaal, 3 films togetherSee the 3 films with Jake GyllenhaalBrian Cox, 2 films togetherSee the 2 films with Brian CoxClancy Brown, 2 films togetherSee the 2 films with Clancy BrownSeth Rogen, 2 films togetherSee the 2 films with Seth RogenJonathan DaytonDirector, 2 filmsSee the 2 films by Jonathan DaytonValerie FarisDirector, 2 filmsSee the 2 films by Valerie Faris

Films together

Box office

What Paul Dano's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$2.1 billion

26 of the 32 films have a worldwide figure.

Of the 32 films: 26 worldwide figure; 2 us gross only; 3 streaming, short cinema run; 1 figure not found.

  • 26Worldwide figure
  • 2US gross only
  • 3Streaming, short cinema run
  • 1Figure not found

Top grosser

The Batman2022as Edward Nashton$773 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 87% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

  1. 1
    The Batman2022as Edward Nashton
    $773M37.2% of the total
  2. 2
    Knight and Day2010as Simon Feck
    $262M12.6% of the total
  3. 3
    12 Years a Slave2013as John Tibeats
    $187M9.0% of the total
  4. 4
    Cowboys & Aliens2011as Percy Dolarhyde
    $175M8.4% of the total
  5. 5
    Prisoners2013as Alex Jones
    $122M5.9% of the total
  6. 6
    Little Miss Sunshine2006as Dwayne
    $101M4.8% of the total
  7. 7
    Where the Wild Things Are2009as Alexander (voice)
    $100M4.8% of the total
  8. 8
    There Will Be Blood2007as Paul Sunday / Eli Sunday
    $77M3.7% of the total
Taking Lives (2004), $65.5 millionLooper (2012), $47.0 millionThe Fabelmans (2022), $45.6 millionThe Girl Next Door (2004), $31.6 millionLove & Mercy (2015), $28.6 millionDumb Money (2023), $20.7 millionThe Emperor's Club (2002), $16.3 millionRuby Sparks (2012), $9.4 millionSwiss Army Man (2016), $5.8 millionFast Food Nation (2006), $2.2 millionYouth (2015), $2.0 millionL.I.E. (2001), $1.7 millionMeek's Cutoff (2010), $876,302The King (2005), $757,310The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005), $712,294Being Flynn (2012), $540,152

$280 millionfrom the other 18 films with a worldwide figure, 13% of the total

Awards

Five awards and honors from 2007 to 2008, one of them major.

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Paul Dano's awards and nominations, grouped by award
YearAwardFilmResult
SAG Awards
2007Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureLittle Miss SunshineWon
Other honors
2008Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting ActorThere Will Be BloodWon
Critics' Choice AwardsWon
Film Independent Spirit AwardsWon
Gotham AwardsWon

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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