when dano was 17 he played a 15-year-old boy in the 2001 movie "l.i.e.". it was his first big movie role. he also appeared in the 2004 comedy movie "the girl next door". in 2006, "little miss sunshine" was released. dano played a teenager who chose not to talk in the movie. in 2012 dano played the main character in a romantic comedy called "ruby sparks". dano also executive produced the film. he played john tibeats in the 2013 movie "12 years a slave".