Paul Thomas Anderson

Paul Thomas Anderson
Anderson in 2022
Born	(1970-06-26) June 26, 1970 (age 54) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Filmmaker
Years active	1988–present
Works	Full list
Partner	Maya Rudolph (2001–present)
Children	4
Father	Ernie Anderson
Awards	Full list

Paul Thomas Anderson (born June 26, 1970), also known by his initials PTA, is an American filmmaker. His accolades include a BAFTA Award, and nominations for 11 Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. He has also won Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival, the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and the Silver and Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Anderson's films are often psychological dramas characterized by depictions of desperate characters and explorations of dysfunctional families, alienation, loneliness, and redemption, alongside a bold visual style that uses constantly-moving camera shots and long takes. After his directorial debut, Hard Eight (1996), he had critical and commercial success with Boogie Nights (1997), and received further accolades with Magnolia (1999) and Punch-Drunk Love (2002). His fifth and sixth films, There Will Be Blood (2007) and The Master (2012), are often cited among the greatest of the 21st century. They were followed by Inherent Vice (2014), Phantom Thread (2017) and Licorice Pizza (2021). His next film One Battle After Another will be released in 2025.

Anderson is noted for his collaborations with cinematographer Robert Elswit, costume designer Mark Bridges, composers Jon Brion and Jonny Greenwood, and several actors. He has directed music videos for artists including Fiona Apple, Haim, Aimee Mann, Joanna Newsom, Michael Penn, Radiohead and the Smile. He also directed the documentary Junun (2015) and the short music film Anima (2019).