
Age: 42
male
Paul Franklin Dano (born June 19, 1984) is an American actor. He began his career on Broadway before making his film debut in The Newcomers (2000). He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Debut Performance for his role in L.I.E. (2001) and received accolades for his role as Dwayne Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). For his dual roles as Paul and Eli Sunday in Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood (2007), he was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. Dano has also received accolades for roles such as John Tibeats in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Alex Jones in Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners (2013). His acting portrayal of musician Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy (2014) earned him a Golden Globe nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actor. Dano made his directorial debut with the drama film Wildlife (2018), based on the novel by Richard Ford. He co-wrote the screenplay with his partner Zoe Kazan. In 2018, he starred in the Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. In 2022, he played Edward Nashton / The Riddler in The Batman.

Paul Dano

Brian Wilson
for Brian Wilson in Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys Story
Suggested by kamsismith

"Good Vibrations" chronicles the extraordinary story of The Beach Boys, focusing on the band's charismatic frontman, Brian Wilson, and his brothers Dennis and Carl, alongside cousins Mike Love and Al Jardine. Set against the backdrop of 1960s America, the film opens with the Wilson brothers' idyllic childhood in Hawthorne, California, where their love for music blossomed under the influence of their father, Murry Wilson. As the boys form a band and start performing at local venues, their unique blend of harmonies catches the attention of record producers, leading to their breakout success with hits like "Surfin' USA," "California Girls," and the groundbreaking album "Pet Sounds." However, behind the scenes, Brian struggles with his mental health, exacerbated by the pressures of fame and creative tensions within the group. The film delves into Brian's creative genius and his innovative approach to music production, including his collaboration with lyricist Tony Asher and the creation of the landmark album "Pet Sounds." But as Brian's mental health deteriorates, tensions rise within the band, culminating in his decision to retreat from touring and focus on studio work.
