Reese Witherspoon, Ben Stiller Stand Up for Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino's critique

Hollywood stars rally behind Dano, praise his talent, versatility, and professionalism

A wave of support is rolling in for actor Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino called him “the weakest” actor in the Screen Actors Guild during a recent podcast, a critique that has ignited a fierce pushback from several of Hollywood’s biggest names. 

Among the most vocal defenders are Reese Witherspoon, who praised Dano as “an incredibly gifted, versatile actor” and “a gentleman,” and Ben Stiller, who wrote, “Paul Dano is f‑ing brilliant.”

Other actors and industry professionals also joined the conversation, highlighting Dano’s talent and dedication. Simu Liu called Dano “incredible,” while director Matt Reeves, who worked with Dano on The Batman, described him as “an incredible actor, and an incredible person.” 

Former co-stars and colleagues echoed these sentiments, pointing to his range of critically acclaimed performances across film, television, and theatre.

The incident has sparked broader debate about the impact of one-off critiques versus a performer’s overall body of work. While Tarantino’s comments were highly publicised, many fans and industry insiders emphasise that Dano’s versatility and consistent performances speak louder than a single opinion.

Dano himself has remained relatively quiet about the controversy, letting his work continue to speak for him. From indie hits like There Will Be Blood to blockbuster roles in The Batman, his career demonstrates both range and depth, earning him recognition as one of Hollywood’s most talented and reliable actors.

The overwhelming support from peers and fans alike underscores the respect Dano has earned in the industry, reinforcing the idea that a single critique cannot define an actor’s legacy.