PAUL DANO became well-known to movie fans with his breakout role in the coming-of-age independent drama, L.I.E., opposite Brian Cox. His mesmerizing portrayal of an innocent teenager forced to navigate his adolescence virtually unsupervised garnered him an Independent Spirit Award for “Best Debut Performance” as well as the “Best Actor” Award at the Stockholm Film Festival. Dano also tied for L.A. Outfest Grand Jury Award for “Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film.”
Growing up in Connecticut, Dano began his acting career on the New York stage with supporting roles on Broadway including “A Month in the Country” opposite Helen Mirren; “A Christmas Carol” with Ben Vereen and Terrence Mann; and “Inherit the Wind” opposite George C. Scott and Charles Durning. In addition to a recurring role on “The Sopranos,” Dano has consistently tackled different roles in his feature career - from an introverted prep school student in THE EMPEROR’S CLUB opposite Kevin Kline to an uninhibited coed in Twentieth Century Fox’s THE GIRL NEXT DOOR to a mysterious drifter in TAKING LIVES.
Dano’s most recent performances prove no exception to his ability to handle a wide variety of roles. In Rebecca Miller’s THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE, Dano played a sexual predator that sets his sights on Daniel Day Lewis’ teenage daughter. He currently stars in James Marsh’s THE KING (2005 Cannes Film Festival) in which he plays William Hurt’s solidly Christian son.
Dano will soon appear as one of the leads in Adam Bhala Lough’s WEAPONS opposite Nick Canon and Mark Webber as well as Richard Linklater’s FAST FOOD NATION (2006 Cannes Film Festival), based on the book featuring an ensemble cast including Catalina Sandino Moreno, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, and his LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE co-star Greg Kinnear. In addition, he recently completed work on Spike Jonze’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, based on Maurice Sendak’s children’s book.
Dano is also a musician and is aware of this disturbing cliché. He is currently continuing his studies at the New School University in New York City.
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