Much-loved character actor John C. Reilly comments on his frequent roles in director
Paul Thomas Anderson‘s films. Reilly’s acting career first began in 1989 with his debut film role in
Casualties of War. He gained further exposure with roles in
Days of Thunder (1990), and 
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). Most recently, Reilly turned to television to play Lakers owner Jerry Buss on the HBO series 
Winning Time.,The start of Anderson and Reilly’s collaborative relationship began with Reilly’s appearance in the film
Hard Eight in 1996, which was also Anderson’s debut as a feature film director. Quickly following in
Hard Eight‘s footsteps were
the hilarious Boogie Nights in 1997 and psychological thriller
Magnolia in 1999, all of which featured Reilly and received critical acclaim, with particular praise noted for Reilly’s performances. Both Reilly and Anderson’s careers have grown exponentially since the release of these now-classic films, yet those collaborations remain some of the most beloved of both of their respective works.,Related: X’s Boogie Nights Homage Explained (& Why It’s So Perfect),In an interview with
Vulture, Reilly reveals exactly why he loves being in Anderson’s films so much.  He sings Anderson’s praises and notes the emotional connection and enthusiasm the director shares with his actors and their performances. Check out Reilly’s reverent comments on working with Anderson below:,Over the course of his impressive career, Reilly has worked with a number of directors. This means his high praise of Anderson is notable and says a lot about their partnership. Based on Reilly’s comments, it sounds like there is a lot that sets Anderson apart when it comes to other directors. His attention to actors’ performances is commendable, and as seen through movies
like There Will be Blood and 
The Master, Anderson truly knows how to pull excellent work out of actors. Many performances from Anderson’s films have been recognized by critics and awards bodies over the years, further highlighting the director’s ease with actors. It is no wonder, then, that Reilly enjoys working with him so much.,Anderson’s and Reilly’s fame emerged through their work together, and their collaborations are still celebrated as much as their impressive careers outside of them. Even as they grow, though, the two find ways to work together. Recently, Reilly appeared in Anderson’s hugely successful coming-of-age comedy
Licorice Pizza in 2021 with an uncredited cameo appearance. The cameo is a quick but notable reference that many cinephiles doubtless clocked instantly in their viewing of the film; Reilly’s small role as 
Munsters star Fred Gwynne cheekily winks at the audience in reference to the long and celebrated history between the actor and
Anderson, and it hopefully also suggests future collaborations. Reilly’s next role, however, will be in Claire Denis’ upcoming romantic thriller film
The Stars at Noon, in which he will be co-starring alongside Joe Alwyn and Margaret Qualley.,Next: Licorice Pizza True Story: Every Character Based On A Real Person,Source: 
Vulture