Paul Dano Quotes

Powerful Paul Dano for Daily Growth

About Paul Dano

Paul Dano, an accomplished American actor and musician, was born on June 13, 1984, in Rheinbeck, New York. Growing up in a creative household, he developed a passion for storytelling at an early age. His interest in acting began during his high school years, where he performed in various plays and musicals. His professional acting debut came in the indie film "The Newcomers" (2000), but it was his role as Alfonso Russell in "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) that brought him widespread recognition. The critically acclaimed performance earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and cemented his place in Hollywood. Dano's acting career has since been marked by a diverse range of roles, from playing Eli Sunday in "There Will Be Blood" (2007) to Brian Wilson in "Love & Mercy" (2014). He also ventured into voice acting, providing the voice for several characters in animated films such as "WALL-E" (2008) and "Charlotte's Web" (2006). In addition to his acting career, Dano is a talented musician. As the lead vocalist of the band 'Iguana Death Cult', he has released two albums and toured extensively. His music influences are varied, ranging from Bob Dylan to The Velvet Underground. Behind the camera, Dano also serves as a director and producer. He made his directorial debut with "Wildlife" (2018), which was met with critical acclaim. Paul Dano continues to captivate audiences with his versatile performances and artistic endeavors. His unique ability to portray complex characters has solidified his status as one of Hollywood's most promising talents.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think as a human being, you're always searching for something."

The quote by Paul Dano highlights an inherent characteristic of humanity, our constant quest or "search" for something. This "something" can encompass various aspects such as knowledge, purpose, love, identity, or fulfillment in life. Essentially, humans are naturally inclined to explore, learn, and strive towards personal growth and understanding, which is reflected in our pursuits and aspirations.

"I never want to be an actor that only does one thing."

Paul Dano's quote indicates a desire for versatility in his acting career. He aspires to avoid being typecast or limited to one particular role, genre, or style of acting. This approach allows him to explore diverse characters, expand his skills, and keep his craft fresh and engaging.

"I feel like I learn most from the people I work with."

This quote emphasizes the importance of learning through collaboration, particularly in a professional context. Paul Dano suggests that the most effective way for him to grow and develop is by working closely with others, as they provide valuable insights and experiences that he can learn from. This perspective underscores the power of teamwork and shared knowledge in personal and professional development.

"I've been really lucky to get to play characters that are so different from one another."

This quote by Paul Dano suggests that he has had the good fortune to portray a variety of distinct characters in his acting career, each with unique personalities, backgrounds, and traits. The diversity of roles reflects not only his versatility as an actor but also the range of stories and characters available within the entertainment industry.

"As you grow up, you have a lot of ideas about what you want to be, but the truth is, life takes you where it wants to go."

This quote highlights the idea that although individuals may harbor various aspirations or dreams about their future, the course of one's life ultimately unfolds in a way that is shaped by uncontrollable circumstances. It suggests that as people grow, they gain a sense of self and develop goals, but those plans can often be altered by the twists and turns that life takes. In essence, it underscores the importance of adapting to life's unexpected journeys and finding fulfillment along the way.

New York is kind of a mythological city in may ways.

- Paul Dano

New, May, Ways, Mythological

Spring and fall in New York are the best seasons here to get out and about. I like the little park in Dumbo between the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge. I like Prospect Park.

- Paul Dano

New, Seasons, Here, Manhattan

I think that the Western went away for a while because part of its function was that it used to be America's action film.

- Paul Dano

Think, Away, I Think, Action Film

The world of the homeless is a tough and interesting world.

- Paul Dano

Tough, Interesting, World, Homeless

I volunteered at a homeless shelter in preparation for 'Being Flynn,' and when I'm walking along the Bowery, that's the first thing that comes to mind. That's a nice memory.

- Paul Dano

Mind, Shelter, Volunteered, Homeless

I'm a sucker for period pieces. There is always great opportunity for research and to delude yourself into feeling like you are in a different time and place.

- Paul Dano

Always, Like, Period, Sucker

There are maybe 100 actors I look up to, but my first two favourite actors were Dustin Hoffman and Jack Nicholson.

- Paul Dano

Maybe, Dustin Hoffman, Nicholson

Listening to hard rock on the subway doesn't work for me, especially modern hard rock. Driving in L.A. helped me to understand the appeal of that music.

- Paul Dano

Work, Listening, Understand, Hard Rock

I go down to the dive bar around the corner when I go out. I don't go to the showbiz parties.

- Paul Dano

Go, Bar, Corner, Showbiz

I think was overly empathetic for a while in my life.

- Paul Dano

My Life, Think, I Think, Overly

Even when I'm alone, my life revolves around film. I think that's why I live in New York, not L.A., where it's so concentrated.

- Paul Dano

My Life, Think, New, Revolves

I approach every role from scratch.

- Paul Dano

Role, Approach, Every, Scratch

The whole being-in-a-room interview thing, at a junket or a film festival, is very inhuman. You meet the person, have five or 10 minutes to talk, and it's not like a conversation.

- Paul Dano

Like, Festival, Very, Film Festival

I would not take a girl to a club on a Thursday. I would not take her to a really noisy, swanky restaurant.

- Paul Dano

Her, Take, Would, Noisy

I think control is a two-way street; sometimes people want to control things to keep them safe if they are afraid of life.

- Paul Dano

Think, Sometimes, I Think, Two-Way

The idea of writer's block or not having inspiration is totally terrifying to me.

- Paul Dano

Idea, Terrifying, Having, Block

George C. Scott, man, was a powerful dude.

- Paul Dano

Man, Powerful, George, Dude

I love cereal. I eat several bowls a day, mostly a few late at night.

- Paul Dano

Love, Mostly, I Love, Cereal

I'd always been fascinated by people who allow themselves to be so rude and irritated and foul-mouthed and hostile, but usually you can sense there's something vulnerable beneath them - a shield they use to protect that vulnerable side. Finally, when they expose that soft spot, it's kind of touching.

- Paul Dano

Been, Allow, Shield, Soft Spot

I love Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and Guns N' Roses and AC/DC.

- Paul Dano

Love, Guns, Sabbath, Led Zeppelin

I'm very low-maintenance.

- Paul Dano

Very, Low-Maintenance

When my girlfriend's away, I cook a big vat of meaty pasta and sauce and eat that for about a week. Then I eat out the rest of the time. When she's home, we eat at home probably twice a week. I chop, she cooks.

- Paul Dano

Week, Big, Away, Twice A Week

I like a restaurant called Bruci, and there's some really nice people who work there and good food. They change their menu a lot, so maybe that's what keeps me coming back. I never know what I'm going to get.

- Paul Dano

Back, Some, Maybe, Nice People

Let's say honorary favorite New Yorker is John Lennon, and favorite real New Yorker is Biggie, because he's the best.

- Paul Dano

New, Say, Honorary, Lennon

One of my favorite things I read was John Steinbeck's journals while he was writing 'East of Eden,' which was so cool.

- Paul Dano

Eden, Which, Read, Favorite Things

I like movies a lot, and I feel really excited when I see a movie that moves me the right way.

- Paul Dano

Excited, Movie, Like, Right Way

I think that one of the strangest things about being an actor is, it's almost freelance work.

- Paul Dano

Think, I Think, Almost, Freelance

As an actor, the toughest thing is being subject to circumstance. Meaning: What scripts are out there that are available?

- Paul Dano

Actor, Toughest, Subject, Scripts

I don't normally like getting dressed up, but when I go to events, I like to look put together. I've got to say, getting in a nice suit feels good.

- Paul Dano

Go, Like, Feels, Normally

As an actor, I always feel you basically have to be able to delude yourself.

- Paul Dano

Actor, Always, Able, Delude

I can obviously relate to a character who is an artist, because the creative process is a big part of my life.

- Paul Dano

My Life, Big, Big Part, Creative Process

I like the idea of finding parts that I know I can do but I don't totally understand them right away.

- Paul Dano

Away, Like, Idea, Right Away

I'm not a big shopper. I'm a pretty simple dresser, and that's not my pleasure go-to thing, looking for clothes.

- Paul Dano

Big, Pleasure, Pretty, Dresser

I remember going to the theatre when I was little and the lights going down and just getting really scared about what was going to happen up there.

- Paul Dano

I Remember, Happen, Going, Scared

I do like the idea of consequence and how our actions play themselves out, but I am completely scared of knowing what the future would be like. I would never go near a fortune teller, even though it's probably not even real. I just don't wanna know.

- Paul Dano

Play, Idea, Our, Scared

One of my favorite films is 'Dumb and Dumber.' I'd love to do some really silly comedy someday.

- Paul Dano

Love, Some, Films, Favorite Films

One of my favorite films is 'Dumb and Dumber.'

- Paul Dano

Dumb, Dumber, Films, Favorite Films

I don't want my learning curve to be stunted by just all of a sudden doing work all the time and not being careful about the work that I'm doing.

- Paul Dano

Work, Doing, Curve, Stunted

I started acting pretty young, so I haven't had too many odd jobs. But I used to sell candy out of my locker in middle school.

- Paul Dano

Middle, Pretty, Odd Jobs, Middle School

I guess sometimes fear is a good thing. It's a really good motivator.

- Paul Dano

A Good Thing, Guess, Motivator

I feel like I have to be responsible for what I'm participating in or putting out into the world.

- Paul Dano

World, Like, Putting, Participating

My first paying job might have been doing a play, actually. My mom paid me to dress up as a flounder at my sister's 'Little Mermaid' - themed birthday party when I was little.

- Paul Dano

Birthday, Dress, Play, Mermaid

One thing you notice is, there's a lot of people with raw talent, and then there's people who take that talent and work hard.

- Paul Dano

Work, Work Hard, One Thing, Notice

I don't have any tattoos.

- Paul Dano

Any, Tattoos

People have asked me about playing outsiders. I don't consider myself an outsider. Maybe that's why I'm interested in that. I'm not really sure.

- Paul Dano

Myself, Maybe, Sure, Outsider

I think 'American Pie' is great.

- Paul Dano

American, Think, I Think, American Pie

Homeless people really upset me when I was little. A lot of kids have this reaction, but I would get really worried or sad or concerned or cry.

- Paul Dano

Reaction, Upset, Concerned, Worried

I don't like to spend a lot of money on haircuts: I'll sometimes grow my hair and get an acting job and get them to cut it for free. I think for a lady, though, it's okay to spend a lot on a haircut.

- Paul Dano

Sometimes, I Think, Cut, Haircut

I want to do some bigger films, so long as there's some sort of exciting creative element or a good filmmaker behind them.

- Paul Dano

Behind, Some, Films, Element

At the heart of drama is conflict.

- Paul Dano

Heart, Drama, Conflict

Films can be entertaining without shying away from exploring something. They can be magical and have fantasy, but also can have enough reality that you can be really emotionally invested.

- Paul Dano

Fantasy, Away, Films, Invested

I know an actor who would play one type of part but could never get cast as tough. Once he got cast as tough, as a cop, he only got offered cop roles. It's a funny business in that regard. It's all about perception.

- Paul Dano

Play, Cop, Part, Perception

People think memorizing lines is hard, when that's the last thing you worry about. You get that done, and then you've got to worry about the internal stuff, which is the challenging part.

- Paul Dano

Worry, Think, Which, Memorizing

You look at the part in '12 Years A Slave,' you finish that script - I mean, it's a powerful story. You go, 'Man, I have to play a bad character in this.' And then you go, 'Well, do I want to play a bad character and contribute to a good story?'

- Paul Dano

Play, Bad, Good Story, Bad Character

'Looper' was a wonderful script. Rian Johnson is the real deal and a really talented filmmaker.

- Paul Dano

Wonderful, Deal, Talented, Filmmaker

I went to private school in Manhattan, and at a young age, they made us do public speaking. For some reason, I was good at standing in front of the class and speaking.

- Paul Dano

Reason, Some, Private, Front

I'm a private person, but I don't feel afraid to walk out of my door or anything. I get recognised occasionally, but not overwhelmingly so.

- Paul Dano

Door, Feel, Private, Occasionally

I think it is important to make sure that I have my real life as well, because Hollywood can certainly seem like an alternate reality sometimes.

- Paul Dano

Think, I Think, Certainly, Alternate

Everything you do, every experience that you have, enlightens you a little bit or worsens you.

- Paul Dano

Everything, Little Bit, Enlightens

It's hard to talk about acting because I don't think it's quite as explicit as a lot of people might think. And that's probably the best thing about it.

- Paul Dano

Think, Might, About, Explicit

Sometimes we fall in love with the idea of a person and have trouble seeing the real thing.

- Paul Dano

Love, Fall, Seeing, Real Thing

Robert De Niro's sort of like a surfer: he doesn't really force anything. So if he catches the wave, or something spills out - to watch a guy be a force at what he does. He has a good worth ethic.

- Paul Dano

Guy, Like, Niro, Ethic

The better the acting is, the harder it is to see what the process is.

- Paul Dano

Process, Better, See, Harder

You try to get to know your character as best as you can before you start filming - what's written and not written.

- Paul Dano

Character, Get, Before, Filming

I love filming in New York. I love New York movies, too. I just like it when people can take New York and make it their own, because there are so many different New Yorks.

- Paul Dano

Love, New, Like, Filming

I really don't want to go to work every day convincing myself of what I'm saying. I want the material to make me a better actor; then I try to return the favor to the material.

- Paul Dano

Convincing, Better Actor, Return

I do think the first time you read a script, that gut response is very important, and that probably plants a seed that continues to blossom throughout the whole experience.

- Paul Dano

Think, Very, Read, Response

There's that thing that if you want to have any kind of lasting love, I think you have to love the whole person and not just the parts of them that you choose.

- Paul Dano

Love, Think, I Think, To Love

I know I am always pumped, as an audience member, to go and see a Western.

- Paul Dano

See, Always, Audience Member, Western

I've seen people, where if they have to wait around the set for three hours, and they call you at the wrong time, and they're not ready for you, some people don't like that.

- Paul Dano

Wait, Some, Hours, Some People

I think the idea is to try and understand everything about the characters and where the character is coming from, from their point of view, why they say what they do. And not, 'Oh, but I would never say that. Why does the character say that?' But then making it as personal as possible.

- Paul Dano

Point Of View, Idea, I Think, They Say

There's a lot of people that I would love to work with. There's a lot of different kinds of parts I wanna play. As your career progresses, you hope that you get some more opportunity or some more choice.

- Paul Dano

Love, Play, Some, Parts

In life, you have to keep certain parts of yourself in check because you want to be a decent human being. But one of the guilty pleasures of acting is that sometimes you get to let a little something out that you don't in life because it's not right.

- Paul Dano

Life, Sometimes, Decent, Parts

I've definitely been in ruts, and I think having some kind of perseverance is important.

- Paul Dano

Think, Important, Some, Ruts

On 'There Will Be Blood,' I was cast at the last minute. I had 3 and a half to 4 days to get ready for the first day. I just went for it, threw myself in there and gave it everything I had. That was just guts and instinct, not a lot of preparation.

- Paul Dano

Instinct, Had, Half, Guts

I like listening to my playlist on the iPod. I don't want radio with commercials.

- Paul Dano

Listening, Want, Like, Commercials

'Little Miss Sunshine' was really important to me.

- Paul Dano

Sunshine, Me, Important, Miss

When you repeat yourself so many times, even if you're speaking the truth, the repetition starts to feel false. Sometimes, you just feel like the words you're speaking, even if they once had meaning, have lost it. And that makes you feel kind of silly.

- Paul Dano

Sometimes, Feel, Had, Repetition

Your director is your main support - actors don't generally give each other advice on set, not in my experience.

- Paul Dano

Give, Other, Set, Generally

I don't know that praise is always a good thing.

- Paul Dano

Know, Always, A Good Thing, Good Thing

In 'There Will Be Blood,' my character was someone who was an actor himself almost. He had a rehearsed quality about him. He was a performance artist in a way.

- Paul Dano

Artist, Will, Almost, Quality

The hardest thing about working with your partner is that the work starts to become first.

- Paul Dano

Work, Hardest, Hardest Thing, Partner

Certainly, being on stage is a rush.

- Paul Dano

Stage, Being, Certainly, Rush

I've been fortunate to work with several actors and directors who I look up to, and learned from each of them.

- Paul Dano

Work, Been, Learned, Fortunate

I used to write a lot of songs. I was an English major in college. I was a deluded poet for a year. Totally deluded.

- Paul Dano

College, Year, Deluded, Poet

I'd love to do a really broad comedy at some point.

- Paul Dano

Love, Comedy, Some, Broad

To be running away from explosions with Harrison Ford, you know, that's pretty great.

- Paul Dano

Pretty, Away, Ford, Running Away

In tragedy, it's hard to find a good resolution; it's not black and white: it's a big fog of gray.

- Paul Dano

Tragedy, Big, Gray, Fog

I've definitely had mentors, whether parents or friends or actors who I like.

- Paul Dano

Like, Definitely, Whether, Mentors

The way Hollywood works, you're never sure if their first thought is to make a great film and honor the material or just another business property.

- Paul Dano

Hollywood, Sure, Works, Great Film

I think you sometimes have to go hit rock bottom before you can grow and rebuild as a person.

- Paul Dano

Think, Rebuild, I Think, Hit

I tore my ACL playing basketball.

- Paul Dano

Playing, Basketball

I like characters that make me feel challenged and sort of inspired.

- Paul Dano

Me, Like, Characters, Challenged

I don't like tight pants on guys.

- Paul Dano

Like, Pants, Guys, Tight

It's a lot of fun to be a part of films that you don't exactly know how they're going to turn out.

- Paul Dano

Going, Part, Films, Exactly

Sometimes I think your intellect can get in your way as an actor or an artist. When you come from a world of improv and comedy, you're able to let it flicker and fall out.

- Paul Dano

Think, I Think, Intellect, Improv

To be called a genius at 17 or 18 years old can sometimes cause arrested development.

- Paul Dano

Genius, Development, Arrested

With somebody like Harrison Ford, they're so commanding and confident, and you know, he does have a certain power or charisma, and those are things that are sort of ineffable.

- Paul Dano

Confident, Like, Commanding, Ford

Some projects go as you hope or imagine, and some change or reveal themselves in a different way; it depends.

- Paul Dano

Some, Projects, Imagine, Different Way

When I'm not acting, I like to go home and be really normal. So I usually grow out my hair until I get the next part.

- Paul Dano

Grow, Normal, Next, Go Home

Being actors is a strange job.

- Paul Dano

Job, Being, Strange

I grew up in Manhattan, and now I live in Brooklyn.

- Paul Dano

Brooklyn, Now, Up, Manhattan

It's a funny thing. You sort of never figure it out with acting. You're always learning.

- Paul Dano

Never, Always, Figure, Funny Thing

I love Brooklyn; it's a part of who you are.

- Paul Dano

Love, Part, I Love, Brooklyn

I sort of grew up doing theater. And that's how I got into film, actually.

- Paul Dano

Doing, How, Actually, Theater

Theater is hard.

- Paul Dano

Hard, Theater

I am baffled by good writing.

- Paul Dano

I Am, Writing, Good Writing, Baffled

As people, no matter what we are doing, your whole body is living and breathing.

- Paul Dano

Doing, Living, Whole, Breathing

I know I'd like to direct a film at some point, and maybe I'll write it.

- Paul Dano

Some, Like, Maybe, Direct

Have I seen any plays that I've been in? Uh, you know, might be a little weird.

- Paul Dano

Weird, Been, Might, Plays

The only constant I can find is hard work.

- Paul Dano

Work, Find, Only, Constant

A lot of people think I must be weird because of the films I've done. I get that.

- Paul Dano

Think, Lot, Films, Weird

When I'm not excited, it makes acting very hard for me.

- Paul Dano

Me, Very, Makes, Excited

I mean, to feel in good hands as an actor... it's the best feeling.

- Paul Dano

Mean, Actor, Feel, Hands

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