Matthew Lillard has spoken openly about how Quentin Tarantino’s public criticism last year affected him, admitting that it was painful even as it sparked an unexpected wave of support across Hollywood.
talking to PEOPLEThe actor said he would still “love” to work with Tarantino one day, which made the director’s comments even harder to hear.
“I think he’s a lovely filmmaker, and getting punched in the mouth was kind of a bummer,” Lillard said, reflecting on the moment.
The comments date back to a viral appearance Tarantino made in The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast last fall, where he harshly criticized several actors.
During the interview, Tarantino labeled Paul Dano “the weakest actor in SAG” and added that he didn’t care for Lillard or Owen Wilson either.
The comments spread quickly online, sparking strong reactions from fans and industry figures alike.
For Lillard, the consequences were surreal. He described it as watching his own tribute in real time.
“I felt like I died and was in heaven watching everyone send their RIP tweets,” he told PEOPLE.
“I mean, it was really being a part of your own wake, sitting there living out all the good things that people say after you die… Everyone from the people at the mall this weekend with my kids to George Clooney and James Gunn and Mike Flanagan, I mean, people have been so generous in telling me how much they loved me and liked my work.”
That support was loud and public.
Dano, who was also singled out in Tarantino’s comments, experienced a similar groundswell of support.
talking to Variety At Sundance, he said that “it was really nice” to see such a response and added that he was grateful that others spoke on his behalf, saying, “I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke for me so that I didn’t have to.”
While Tarantino’s words clearly stung, Lillard’s reflections show how the moment ultimately became one of affirmation, revealing the respect he has earned from both his colleagues and the public, even in the face of direct criticism.
