Biografia

Daniel Day-Lewis was so impressed by his work in the film La storia di Jack e Rose (2005) that he suggested him to Paul Thomas Anderson for the role of Paul Sunday in the film Il petroliere (2007).

He has appeared in four films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Il petroliere (2007), 12 anni schiavo (2013) and The Fabelmans (2022). 12 Years a Slave won in the category.

Packed on 20 lbs. of muscle to play real-life convicted murderer and escapee David Sweat in the TV series Escape at Dannemora (2018).

Matt Reeves wrote his part of The Riddler in The Batman (2022) with him in mind.

Made his Broadway debut at the age of 12 in "Inherit The Wind" opposite George C. Scott and Charles Durning.

[on why he chooses acting over music] "I think I'd be too stubborn and have to do it on my own terms. There's a lot of hope in music and there are some really amazing artists out there, but as far as popular music goes, a lot of it is just not for me. So I don't know where I'd fit in or whatever."

Everything you do, every experience that you have, enlightens you a little bit or worsens you. L.I.E. (2001) was big for me. I think it's one of the best things I've been a part of in my life, so far.

[on working with Daniel Day-Lewis in the movie, La storia di Jack e Rose (2005)] "It was incredible. I mean, Daniel Day-Lewis and I were enemies in the movie. I'm the "snake" and his daughter Rose is the "rose". You couldn't get any more opposite from the character I play in (La ragazza della porta accanto (2004)) than the one I play in that. I'm the villain, the snake, sleazy and like this sexual creature. There were days when we wouldn't even look at each other until the end of the day because we were intense. I got into that; it was great. It would help me, too. You know, I look up to him. Before I even auditioned for the movie I did, so it was incredible.

[on preparing for his role in Little Miss Sunshine (2006)] "In my house, I tried not talking for a couple days and it was almost impossible to be at a dinner table with my parents and not point out to them what I thought was silly that they were saying. You just want to rebel! It was so difficult".

[on working with Steve Carell] "I knew Steve from The Daily Show (1996) and that funny scene he had in Una settimana da Dio (2003). I didn't maybe know him by name at that point, but I was just like, "That dude is hilarious!". He's genuinely a very down-to-earth, sweet guy. I have a lot of respect for him. We became good friends. Nobody was really on a pedestal or anything. When you're working with people you look up to and they put you on the same level, it makes your job a little easier, confidence-wise. I never felt nervous, it was just a lot of fun".