Dano Responds to Tarantino's Harsh 'Weakest Actor' Diss

Actor Paul Dano has broken his silence regarding Quentin Tarantino's recent harsh criticism of his performance in the 2007 film "There Will Be Blood." Tarantino had publicly labeled Dano, an accomplished actor, as the "weakest fucking actor in SAG." Dano was asked about the controversial remarks at a 20th-anniversary screening for "Little Miss Sunshine" at the Sundance Film Festival. He stated he was grateful for the outpouring of support from fans and industry peers on social media, which allowed him to avoid a public response.

"Little Miss Sunshine" directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris also addressed Tarantino's comments. Dayton described them as an "embarrassment" and suggested Tarantino might have been uncomfortable with Dano's "rawness." Faris highlighted the immediate defense Dano received, noting how "loved" and "smart" he is. Tarantino had made these remarks about two months prior on a podcast, explaining his ranking of "There Will Be Blood" was impacted by Dano's perceived weak performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis. Other actors, like Matthew Lillard, have also spoken out about the personal impact of such public criticisms.