Matthew Lillard has said the public support he received following criticism from Quentin Tarantino felt comparable to witnessing his own eulogy. The actor, best known for roles including Scooby-Doo, described an unexpected wave of goodwill from fans after remarks about his acting ability circulated online.
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Speaking in an interview, Lillard said the reaction was surreal, likening it to observing tributes normally reserved for after death. He explained that the attention stemmed from comments he made that were picked up unintentionally and later spread widely on social media, prompting messages of support from the public.
The comments originated in December, when Tarantino said he did not “care for” Lillard’s performances, alongside criticism of Owen Wilson and Paul Dano. Lillard later addressed the remarks during an appearance at a fan convention, acknowledging that such criticism was hurtful, particularly when directed at actors who are not among Hollywood’s most established leading stars.
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Several actors publicly defended Lillard and his peers, including George Clooney, who said he would be honoured to work with any of them. Reflecting on the episode, Lillard said the situation was disappointing, noting that he admired Tarantino’s work and would have welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with him in the future.
