Matthew Lillard has opened up about how Quentin Tarantino’s public criticism last year landed with him, admitting it was painful even as it sparked an unexpected wave of support from across Hollywood. 

Speaking to PEOPLE, the actor said he would still “love” to work with Tarantino one day, which made the director’s comments all the more difficult to hear. 

“I think he’s a lovely filmmaker, and to just sort of get punched in the mouth just was kind of a bummer,” Lillard said, reflecting on the moment.

The comments trace back to a viral appearance Tarantino made on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast last autumn, where he harshly criticised several actors. 

During the interview, Tarantino labelled Paul Dano as “the weakest f—ing actor in SAG” and added that he did not care for Lillard or Owen Wilson either. 

The remarks spread quickly online, prompting strong reactions from fans and industry figures alike.

For Lillard, the aftermath was surreal. He described it as watching his own tribute play out in real time. 

“It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets,” he told PEOPLE. 

“I mean, it was really being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things 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 sort of been really generous with 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 surge of support. 

Speaking to Variety at Sundance, he said “it was really nice” to see such a response and added that he was grateful others spoke up on his behalf, saying, “I was also incredibly grateful that the world spoke up for me so 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 colleagues and audiences alike, even in the face of blunt criticism.

Milo Ventimiglia has no problem if his daughter grows up rooting for Rory Gilmore’s first love.

The Gilmore Girls alum, who played Jess Mariano, told PEOPLE that he’d be perfectly okay if his 1-year-old daughter Ke’ala sided with Dean (Jared Padalecki) in the long-running fan debate over Rory’s best match.

“I’d be way okay if my daughter eventually watched the show and she was Team Dean,” Ventimiglia said. “I get it because I’m Team Jared, so I get it.”

The actor’s easygoing stance came as fans continue to debate Rory’s romantic history more than two decades after the series first aired.

Dean was Rory’s first boyfriend, though their relationship ended publicly and painfully.

Jess followed, bringing his own complications before leaving Stars Hollow ahead of graduation.

Later, Rory dated Logan (Matt Czuchry) during her Yale years, ultimately turning down his proposal in season 7 before reconnecting in the 2016 revival.

Ventimiglia praised his fellow actors, noting that despite their characters’ differences, Padalecki and Czuchry are “the best guys” off-screen.

“They couldn’t be any lovelier as human beings,” he said. “It’s nice that more than 20-plus years later we all still can talk about this show we were growing up on and come together as grown men just to recognize that and still have loving words for one another.”

His commented arrive less than a year after Padalecki revealed he was actually Team Jess.

However, Czuchry admitted his own pick has shifted over time depending on Rory’s evolution.

The United States State Department has confirmed the evacuation order of non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Beirut on Monday, February 23.

The move comes after regional tensions have escalated and U.S. President Donald Trump intensified threats against Iran.

The orders are applicable for non-essential staff and eligible family members, though the embassy will remain operational with core personnel.

As reported by Al Jazeera, 50 people had been evacuated while a Beirut airport official reported 32 staff and family members departed on Monday, February 23.

A State Department official said, “We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens.”

The departure order follows Israel’s strikes across Lebanon in recent weeks, killing at least 12 people on Friday alone.

Violating the 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces continue to occupy five outposts inside Lebanese territory.

According to a complaint filed in January to the United States by Lebanon, Israel has made around 2,000 breaches of its sovereignty since October.