Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Actor Paul Dano publicly responded to Quentin Tarantino’s uncalled diss for the first time at a Sundance Film Festival screening of his 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine. Dano didn’t have to say much, though, as his co-star Toni Collette had plenty to say on his behalf.
Late last year, while discussing the 2007 Paul Thomas Anderson film There Will Be Blood, Quentin Tarantino declared that Paul Dano was the “weakest f—— actor in SAG.”
The response to Tarantino was swift and widespread, however, with virtually all of Hollywood coming to Dano’s defense.
While speaking at a screening of Little Miss Sunshine earlier this week, Oscar nominee Toni Collette added her voice to those backing up Dano, while Dano also publicly commented on the cheap shot for the first time.
Toni Collette ferociously defended Paul Dano from Quentin Tarantino as Dano publicly reacted to the director’s comments for the first time
Editor’s note: Because she’s such a great actress, you may have never realized that Toni Collette is actually Australian, so make sure to read her below comments with an Aussie accent.
“Ahead of a 20th anniversary screening of Little Miss Sunshine at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Dano was asked about Tarantino’s comment but was beat to the punch by co-star Toni Collette, who said: ‘Are we really going there? F— that guy! He must’ve been high… it was just confusing. Who does that?'”
“’That was really nice. I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so I didn’t have to,’ Dano added. [via Variety]
#LittleMissSunshine stars Paul Dano, Toni Collette, Abigail Breslin, and Greg Kinnear reunite at Sundance 20 years after the film’s premiere. pic.twitter.com/58aXjTrTEN
— Variety (@Variety) January 29, 2026
Dano currently has three films in various stages of production, with the Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson starring The Chaperones currently in post-production, meaning it will likely release this year. Collette, meanwhile, is currently filming the movie The Roots Manoeuvre.