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{{short description|American filmmaker (born 1961)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Alexander Payne
| image              = Alexander Payne 2017.jpg
| caption            = Payne in 2017
| birth_name         = Constantine Alexander Payne
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1961|2|10}}
| birth_place        = [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]], U.S.
| citizenship        = {{hlist|United States|Greece}}
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| education          = [[Stanford University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[University of California, Los Angeles]] ([[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]])
| occupation         = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|producer}}
| years_active       = 1985–present
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Sandra Oh]]|2003|2006|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Maria Kontos|2015|2022|reason=divorced}}}}
| children           = 2
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations reived by Alexander Payne|Full list]]
}}
'''Constantine Alexander Payne'''<ref name=Metro:Ak-Sar-Ben2010 /> (born February 10, 1961)<ref name=Britannica>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Payne |title=Alexander Payne: American writer, director, and producer|first=John M.|last= Cunningham|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopedia Britannica]]|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200819065411/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Payne|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American filmmaker. He is noted for his [[satire|satirical]] depictions of contemporary American society. Payne has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Alexander Payne|numerous accolades]], including two [[Academy Awards]], a [[BAFTA Award]] and two [[Golden Globe Awards]] as well as a nomination for a [[Grammy Award]].

After directing several short films, Payne made his feature film debut with the [[black comedy]] ''[[Citizen Ruth]]'' (1996). His career progressed with the political satire ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]'' (1999), for which he received a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]], and the comedy-drama ''[[About Schmidt]]'' (2002). Payne twice won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing his directorials ''[[Sideways]]'' (2004) and ''[[The Descendants]]'' (2011). He was also nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]] for these two films and for the road film ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' (2013). He has since directed the comedy-dramas ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]'' (2017), and ''[[The Holdovers]]'' (2023).

== Early life and education ==
Payne was born in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], to Peggy and George Payne, restaurant owners.<ref name=BBC2005>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4194919.stm |title=Entertainment: Sideways director keeps it real |work=[[BBC News]]|location=UK |date=January 25, 2005 |access-date=September 17, 2010|quote=...his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, where his family ran a Greek restaurant — they changed the family name from Papadopoulos.}}</ref><ref name=Metro:Ak-Sar-Ben2010>{{cite web|title=Court of Honor: Constantine Alexander Payne|url=https://issuu.com/metmago/docs/aksar-digi-2010-final|magazine=Metro Magazine|location=Omaha, Nebraska|page=13|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131107075054/http://issuu.com/metmago/docs/aksar-digi-2010-final|archive-date=November 7, 2013|year=2010|url-status=live|quote=Constantine Alexander Payne, a Greek American, was born on February 10, 1961 to George and Peggy Payne in Omaha, Nebraska. ... Alexander attended Brownell Talbot and Dundee for elementary school, Lewis and Clark Junior High and Creighton Prep High School. ...[H]e went on to attend Stanford, and ... graduated with an MFA in film from UCLA. ... [H[is father, owner of The Virginia Restaurant in downtown Omaha...}}</ref> He is the youngest of three sons<ref name=LAWeekly1999>{{cite news |last=Mikulan |first=Steven |url=http://www.laweekly.com/1999-04-29/film-tv/high-plains-joker/ |title=High Plains Joker: Alexander Payne's Wild, Wild Midwest |newspaper=[[LA Weekly]] |date=April 21, 1999 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005164637/http://www.laweekly.com/1999-04-29/film-tv/high-plains-joker/ |url-status=dead |quote=...the youngest of three sons in a Greek-American family of businessmen and restaurateurs. (His grandfather had changed the family name from Papadopulis.) In 1975, a tornado blew down Alexander's junior high school ... [and he transferred] to Creighton Prep... }}</ref> and grew up in the [[Dundee-Happy Hollow Historic District|Dundee]] neighborhood.<ref name=NYT-2002>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/08/magazine/the-bard-of-omaha.html|title=The Bard of Omaha|first=John|last=Hodgman |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 8, 2002|access-date=August 17, 2020|page=88|quote=...Dundee, the tidy grove of modest two-story homes where he grew up and where his parents still live.}}</ref> He is of Greek ancestry.<ref name=HollywoodGreekReporter>{{cite web|last=Papapostolou|first=Anastasios|title=Exclusive: Alexander Payne Talks Nebraska, Greece & American Cinema |url=http://hollywood.greekreporter.com/2013/05/19/exclusive-alexander-payne-talks-nebraska-greece-american-cinema/|work=Hollywood Greek Reporter|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=May 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name=GreekReporter-video>{{cite web|last=Papapostolou|first=Anastasios|title=Alexander Payne Talks Nebraska; Cinema; Greece|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4fCvNLj7ew| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211111/A4fCvNLj7ew| archive-date=2021-11-11 | url-status=live|work=Greek Reporter|access-date=November 13, 2013|format=Video interview|date=May 18, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Payne's paternal grandfather, Nicholas "Nick" Payne, [[anglicized]] the last name from "Papadopoulos".<ref name=NYer-2013>{{cite magazine|last=Talbot|first=Margaret|title=Profiles: Home Movies: Alexander Payne, High Plains auteur.|url= https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/10/28/131028fa_fact_talbot|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=November 13, 2013|page=50|date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2013<!--posted online before print-publication date-->|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021205651/https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/10/28/131028fa_fact_talbot|url-status=live|quote=he majored in Latin-American literature and history, and studied abroad in Spain and in Colombia.}}</ref> His family comes from three areas in Greece: the island of [[Syros, Greece|Syros]], [[Livadia, Greece|Livadia]], and [[Aigio|Aegio]].<ref name=NEO-2013>{{cite web|last=Rhompotis|first=Demetrios|title=Film Director Alexander Payne: Greece 'energizes my DNA!'|url=http://www.neomagazine.com/2013/03/film-director-alexander-payne-greece-energizes-my-dna/|work=NEO Magazine|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=March 6, 2013}}</ref> Payne's family was part of the fabric{{huh|date=May 2025}} of Omaha, which he refers to as part of his upbringing.<ref name=VirginiaCafe-2012 /><ref name=Payne-Hoffman-StJohns /> His grandfather was a founder of The Virginia Cafe, with Payne's father taking over the restaurant. Payne went there regularly as a child. The restaurant was destroyed in a fire in 1969; the [[W. Dale Clark Library]] was later built on the site.<ref name=VirginiaCafe-2012>{{cite web|last=Biga|first=Leo Adam|title=Remembering the Virginia Cafe and the Restauranter Family Legacy of Filmmaker Alexander Payne|url=http://leoadambiga.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/remembering-the-virginia-cafe-and-the-restauranter-family-legacy-of-filmmaker-alexander-payne/|work=Leo Adam Biga|access-date=November 14, 2013|format=Writer's blog|date=July 6, 2012|quote=Originally published in The Reader}}</ref> Payne's paternal grandmother, Clara Payne (née Hoffman), was from a German Nebraska family from [[Lincoln, Nebraska]].<ref name=Payne-Hoffman-StJohns>{{cite web|title=Payne (Papadopoulos) - Hoffman|url=http://www.stjohnsgreekorthodox.org/centennial/Payne.pdf|work=St. John's 100 Year Anniversary|publisher=St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church|access-date=November 14, 2013|date=June 13–15, 2008}}</ref>

In Omaha, Payne attended [[Brownell-Talbot School]], Dundee Elementary School, and Lewis and Clark Junior High.<ref name=Metro:Ak-Sar-Ben2010 /> He graduated from [[Creighton Preparatory School|Creighton Prep]] for high school in 1979.<ref name=OWH-1995-reprint>{{cite web|title=Archives: That time Alexander Payne returned to Omaha to make his first movie|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20131112/GO/131119804/1707#.UoPcwpRgYrk|work=Omaha World-Herald|access-date=November 14, 2013|date=November 12, 2013|orig-year=Originally published February 5, 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113002542/http://www.omaha.com/article/20131112/GO/131119804/1707#.UoPcwpRgYrk|archive-date=November 13, 2013|url-status=dead|quote=Payne, a 1979 Creighton Prep graduate...}}</ref> At Prep, Payne wrote a humor column for his high school newspaper and was the editor of the high school yearbook.<ref name=THR-Feinberg-Podcast-article /> Payne then attended [[Stanford University]], where he majored in Spanish and History.<ref name="NYer-2013"/> As a part of his Spanish degree, he studied at Spain's [[University of Salamanca]]. He later lived a few months in [[Medellín]], Colombia, where he published an article about social changes between 1900 and 1930.<ref>Constantine Alexander Payne, ''Crecimiento y cambio social en Medellín: 1900–1930,'' Estudios sociales. Vol. I, N° 1. Medellín, septiembre 1986, pp. 111 – 194.</ref> Payne received his [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] in 1990 from the [[UCLA Film School]].

In the 1960s, Payne's father received a [[Super 8 film|Super 8mm]] projector from Kraft Foods as a loyalty reward,<ref name=Metro:Ak-Sar-Ben2010 /><ref name=OWH-Payne-Ware-2012>{{cite news|last=Kelly |first=Michael |title=Payne, Ware on to big-time awards |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20120225/NEWS01/702259913 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131113210339/http://www.omaha.com/article/20120225/NEWS01/702259913 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=November 13, 2013 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref> and eventually passed it on to his son when Alexander was about 14 years old.<ref name=THR-Feinberg-Podcast-article>{{cite web|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|title=Writer/Director Alexander Payne: 'I Don't Know How Talented I Would Say I Am' (Audio) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/writer-director-alexander-payne-i-263304|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 14, 2013|format=Audio podcast interview article|date=December 27, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Walker-Turan-int>{{cite web|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|title=Alexander Payne Regis Dialogue with Kenneth Turan|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fw8oNps1qQ|work=Walker Art Center|access-date=November 14, 2013|format=Video interview|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref><ref name=THR-Feinberg-Podcast>{{cite web|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|title=Scott Feinberg Interviews Alexander Payne|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/podcast/scott-feinberg-interviews-alexander-payne|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 14, 2013|format=Audio podcast interview|date=December 27, 2011}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== 1985–1996: Short films and film debut ===
A short time after getting his [[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]] from [[UCLA Film School]]—and after his successful thesis film ''[[The Passion of Martin]]'' had attracted industry attention—Payne got a writing/directing deal with [[Universal Pictures]]. The ensuing screenplay, which was turned down, ultimately became ''[[About Schmidt]]''.<ref name="NYer-2013"/> He says that he cleared about $60,000, which was enough to fund his simple lifestyle at the time for about five years.<ref name=GreekReporter-video /> Payne has said he sees his talent as being one of learned economy, referring to the essay written by [[Tennessee Williams]] on ''[[The Catastrophe of Success]].''<ref name=THR-Feinberg-Podcast /> During this time Payne worked in various capacities on films and television including directing several films for the ''[[Playboy]]'' channel.

Payne co-wrote and directed his first full-length film, ''[[Citizen Ruth]]'', which was released in 1996. The film is a satirical black comedy revolving around the issue of [[abortion rights]]. The film stars [[Laura Dern]] as a dim-witted woman with substance abuse issues who happens to get pregnant. She unexpectedly becomes a pawn of figures from both sides of the [[abortion debate]]. The film co-stars [[Kelly Preston]], [[Burt Reynolds]], and [[Tippi Hedren]]. The film premiered at the 1996 [[Sundance Film Festival]] where it received favorable reviews. [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "There's no easy way out of this predicament, though Mr. Payne does beg the question with skill. And ''Citizen Ruth'' can easily be forgiven for not finding a fully satisfying ending. It delivers more than enough lively, gutsy satire along the way."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/13/movies/to-abort-not-to-abort-a-comedy.html|title= To Abort, Not to Abort: A Comedy|work= The New York Times|date= December 13, 1996|accessdate= September 1, 2023|last1= Maslin|first1= Janet}}</ref>

===1999–2013: Breakthrough and acclaim ===
[[File:Alexander Payne Cannes 2012.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Payne at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] in 2012]]
His second film, ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]'', starring [[Matthew Broderick]] and [[Reese Witherspoon]], which takes aim at politics and education in America, attracted attention when ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' [[film critic]] [[David Denby]] named it the best film of 1999. Payne received his first [[Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay]] nomination for ''Election''. [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film three and a half stars out of four, praising Witherspoon and Payne, and saying, "...here is a movie that is not simply about an obnoxious student, but also about an imperfect teacher, a lockstep administration, and a student body that is mostly just marking time until it can go out into the world and occupy valuable space".<ref>{{cite web | date=April 30, 1999 | last= Ebert | first= Roger | author-link= Roger Ebert | url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/election-1999 | title=Election Movie Review (1999) | work=RogerEbert.com | access-date= November 27, 2016}}</ref> The film became a cult classic, ranking at #61 on [[Bravo (US TV channel)|Bravo's]] "100 Funniest Movies" and #9 on ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'''s list of the "50 Best High School Movies", while Witherspoon's performance was ranked at #45 on the list of the "100 Greatest Film Performances of All Time" by ''[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]''. According to Payne, it is also President [[Barack Obama]]'s favorite political film.<ref name="huff-oral">{{cite news|quote=Barack Obama has told me twice that it’s his favorite political film.|last=Jacobs|first=Matthew|title=Pick Flick: An Oral History Of 'Election,' 15 Years Later|date=7 May 2014|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/07/election-oral-history_n_5248953.html|access-date=26 October 2015}}</ref>

In 2000, Payne completed an uncredited polish-up of the screenplay for the comedy film ''[[Meet the Parents]]''. In 2001, Payne wrote a draft of ''[[Jurassic Park III]]''. In 2002, Payne's film ''[[About Schmidt]]'', about a recently retired widower who embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, was released. The film starred [[Jack Nicholson]] as the title character, Warren Schmidt, and its script was based on the novel of the same name by [[Louis Begley]]. The film also co-starred [[Hope Davis]], [[Dermot Mulroney]], [[June Squibb]], and [[Kathy Bates]]. The film premiered at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival|55th Cannes Film Festival]] to rave reviews, with critics highlighting Nicholson's performance. Payne received a [[Golden Globe]] for the screenplay, which was also nominated for a [[Writers Guild of America Award]] for Best Adapted Screenplay. To the surprise of many who kept track of Hollywood news,<ref>{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=Cathy|title='SCHMIDT' DIRECTOR UNFAZED BY 'SNUB'|date=July 27, 2003|url=http://www.news-record.com/schmidt-director-unfazed-by-snub/article_1794ac3e-654c-5678-85ae-238713ce3aff.html|access-date=May 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Karger|first=Dave|title=Check out the top five Oscar surprises|date=February 11, 2003|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2003/02/11/check-out-top-five-oscar-surprises|access-date=May 16, 2015}}</ref> Payne and [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]] were not nominated for an Oscar for the ''About Schmidt'' screenplay.

In 2004, Payne followed ''About Schmidt'' with ''[[Sideways]]'', a film about two middle-aged men who embark on a week-long road trip to [[Santa Barbara County wine|Santa Barbara County wine country]] to celebrate Jack's upcoming wedding. The film stars [[Paul Giamatti]] and [[Thomas Hayden Church]] as the two friends, with [[Virginia Madsen]] and [[Sandra Oh]]. The film premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]] where it received rave reviews. [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film four stars, saying: "what happens during the seven days adds up to the best human comedy of the year&nbsp;– comedy, because it is funny, and human, because it is surprisingly moving."<ref>[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041028/REVIEWS/40922017/1023 ''Chicago Sun Times''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318134315/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20041028%2FREVIEWS%2F40922017%2F1023 |date=March 18, 2013 }} by Roger Ebert.</ref> Payne won both the [[Academy Award]] and [[Golden Globe]] in 2005 for Best Adapted Screenplay, while the film also won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]. In total, ''Sideways'' received five Academy Award nominations including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]].

In 2007 Payne served as an executive producer on the films ''[[King of California]]'' and ''[[The Savages (film)|The Savages]]''. He also collaborated once again with writing partner Jim Taylor to write a draft of the screenplay for the film ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry]]'' (2007), a comedy directed by [[Dennis Dugan]], and starring [[Adam Sandler]] and [[Kevin James]]. Payne disliked the final product, stating that Adam Sandler rewrote so much of the story that almost all of what Payne and Taylor wrote was gone.

In 2009, Payne signed a petition calling for the release of film director [[Roman Polanski]], who had been arrested in Switzerland in relation to his [[Roman Polanski sexual abuse case|1977 charge for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeu |first=Redaction La Règle du |date=2009-11-10 |title=Signez la pétition pour Roman Polanski ! |url=https://laregledujeu.org/2009/11/10/479/signez-la-petition-pour-roman-polanski/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=La Règle du Jeu}}</ref>
[[File:Alexander Payne Munich 2015.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Payne at the Munich Film Festival (2015)]]
Payne returned to directing in 2011 after a seven-year hiatus with the film ''[[The Descendants]]'', a film about a man dealing with the aftermath of a boating accident involving his wife, leaving her in a coma. The film starred [[George Clooney]], [[Shailene Woodley]], [[Beau Bridges]], [[Judy Greer]], [[Matthew Lillard]], and [[Robert Forster]]. The film premiered at the [[2011 Toronto International Film Festival]] where it received near universal praise ending up on many critics top 10 list of the year. Critics also hailed George Clooney's performance with many citing it as his best. [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' praised Payne as a director writing, "Payne knows the difference between lightness and frivolity, between seriousness and solemnity, between different kinds of cloud...Within a single scene the film can tap into deep feelings of pain, switch into comic modes as various as farce and satire, and confront and evade moral challenges."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jan/29/descendants-george-clooney-review|title= The Descendants|newspaper= The Observer|date= January 29, 2012|accessdate= September 1, 2023|last1= French|first1= Philip}}</ref> Payne also co-wrote the screenplay along with [[Nat Faxon]], and [[Jim Rash]] who all won the [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]].

Payne executive produced the short film ''Run Fast''. Anna Musso, his long-time assistant and protégé, wrote and directed the film, which shot in March 2014. The project was partially funded by a Kickstarter campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1995526916/run-fast-a-short-film-by-anna-musso |title=RUN FAST - A Short Film by Anna Musso by Anna Musso — Kickstarter |publisher=Kickstarter.com |access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> Payne was also executive producer of the acclaimed 2014 film ''[[Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter]]'' directed by [[David Zellner]]. Payne's ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' starred veteran character actor [[Bruce Dern]] (who received the [[Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor]]) and ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' alumnus [[Will Forte]].<ref name=collider>{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=Alexander Payne's NEBRASKA Moving Forward with Will Forte and Bruce Dern|url=https://collider.com/nebraska-bruce-dern-will-forte/186864/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810132012/http://collider.com/nebraska-bruce-dern-will-forte/186864/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 10, 2012|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=December 2, 2012}}</ref> It was released on November 15, 2013.<ref name=slashfilm>{{cite web|last=Han|first=Angie|title=Alexander Payne's 'Nebraska' Eyeing Late 2013 Release; Will Forte and Bruce Dern Run Around Billings, MT in First Set Photos|date=November 30, 2012|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/alexander-paynes-nebraska-eyeing-late-2013-release-will-forte-and-bruce-dern-run-around-billings-mt-in-first-set-photos/|publisher=/Film|access-date=December 2, 2012}}</ref> The film received critical acclaim with David Edlestein of ''[[NPR]]'' describing it as a "superb balancing act" and adding, "it's a special kind of triumph".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2013/11/15/245395877/across-nebraska-on-a-journey-that-goes-beyond-the-trip|title= Across 'Nebraska,' On A Journey That Goes Beyond The Trip|website= NPR|date= November 15, 2013|accessdate= September 1, 2023|last1= Edelstein|first1= David}}</ref> The film was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]] with Payne receiving a [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] nomination, ultimately losing to [[Alfonso Cuarón]] for [[Gravity (2013 film)|''Gravity'']].

=== 2017–2022: Career slump ===
Payne has said that during his seven-year hiatus between ''Sideways'' (2004) and ''The Descendants'' (2011), he, along with working partner Jim Taylor, were developing the satire ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]'', which Payne has described as "a large canvas, science-fiction social satire" and "an epic masterpiece." The film, about an impoverished married couple who decide the way ahead lies in shrinking themselves, was to star [[Paul Giamatti]] and [[Reese Witherspoon]], but was superseded by ''The Descendants'' and ''Nebraska.''<ref>{{cite news|title=Matt Damon downsizing with Alexander Payne|date=November 6, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexander-payne-reteams-paramount-matt-829220}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|title=Matt Damon To Star In Alexander Payne's 'Downsizing'|date=November 5, 2014|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/matt-damon-alexander-payne-downsizing-1201274509/}}</ref> In March 2016, Witherspoon was replaced by [[Kristen Wiig]] and Giamatti by [[Matt Damon]].<ref name="avclub">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/kristen-wiig-replaces-reese-witherspoon-downsizing-234523|publisher=avclub.com|title=Kristen Wiig replaces Reese Witherspoon in Downsizing|work=The A.V. Club|first=Sam|last=Barsanti|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=October 16, 2016}}</ref> [[Hong Chau]], [[Christoph Waltz]], [[Udo Kier]], [[Neil Patrick Harris]], and [[Jason Sudeikis]] also starred.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lesnick|first=Silas|title=Three More Join Damon and Witherspoon for Downsizing|date=January 8, 2015| publisher=Comingsoon.net|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/397603-three-more-join-damon-and-witherspoon-for-downsizing|access-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> [[Paramount Pictures]] released the film on December 22, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kroll|first=Justin|title=Paramount Nabs Alexander Payne's 'Downsizing' Starring Matt Damon|date=October 2, 2015|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/paramount-alexander-payne-downsizing-matt-damon-1201608948/|access-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title=Christoph Waltz & Hong Chau Join 'Downsizing'; '3rd Street Blackout' Gets NYC Release Date|date=March 10, 2016|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/christoph-waltz-hong-chau-join-downsizing-3rd-street-blackout-gets-nyc-release-date-1201718314/|access-date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> It has received mixed reviews, with many critics describing it as the weakest film of Payne's career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/downsizing |title=''Downsizing'' (2017) |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date=December 24, 2017}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: Resurgence ===
[[File:HoldoversQABFI160124 (13 of 15).jpg|thumb|right|270px|Payne with [[Da'Vine Joy Randolph]] and [[Paul Giamatti]] at a screening of ''[[The Holdovers]]'' (2024) in London]] 
In June 2021, it was announced that Payne would direct Paul Giamatti in the [[David Hemingson]]-scripted film ''[[The Holdovers]]'' for [[Miramax]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fleming Jr.|title=Alexander Payne Taps His 'Sideways' Star Paul Giamatti For 'The Holdovers': Hot Cannes Package|date=June 14, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/alexander-payne-paul-giamatti-the-holdovers-new-film-cannes-market-1234774662/|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rebecca Rubin|title=Paul Giamatti to Star in Alexander Payne's Comedic Drama 'The Holdovers'|date=June 14, 2021|magazine=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/paul-giamatti-alexander-payne-the-holdovers-1234995871/|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fleming Jr.|title=Miramax Lands World Rights On Alexander Payne-Directed 'The Holdovers' With Paul Giamatti: Cannes Market|date=June 28, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/miramax-world-rights-alexander-payne-the-holdovers-paul-giamatti-cannes-market-1234782708/|accessdate=July 29, 2021}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[Telluride Film Festival]] to widespread critical acclaim. Peter Debruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' compared it to the films of [[Hal Ashby]] describing it as feeling as though it was a "lost 70s classic".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-holdovers-review-alexander-payne-paul-giamatti-1235709680/|title= 'The Holdovers' Review: Alexander Payne Reunites With Paul Giamatti in What Feels Like a Lost '70s Classic|website= Variety|date= September 2023|accessdate= September 1, 2023}}</ref> Stephen Farber of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' hailed it as "an engaging and often touching comic drama that builds power as it moves toward its immensely satisfying conclusion."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-holdovers-review-alexander-payne-paul-giamatti-1235579735/|title= 'The Holdovers' Review: Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti Reunite for an Imperfect but Rewarding Campus Dramedy|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= September 2023|accessdate= September 1, 2023}}</ref>

In 2024, Payne was said to be in production on—and targeting a 2025 release for—a [[Documentary film|documentary]] feature about film scholar [[Jeanine Basinger]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alexander-payne-documentary-jeanine-basinger-1235880434/|title=Alexander Payne Making Doc Directorial Debut With Project About "Finest Film Professor in the World" (Exclusive)|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 26, 2024|access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref> However, no updates have been given since.

Payne is also currently set for directing a Danish-language film to be shot in [[Denmark]], fully funded by European sources.<ref name=screen>{{cite web|last=Dalton|first=Ben|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/alexander-payne-preps-danish-language-film-as-first-european-production-exclusive/5196380.article|title=Alexander Payne preps Danish-language film as first European production (exclusive)|website=[[Screen Daily]]|date=August 20, 2024|access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref> This was later revealed to be titled ''Somewhere Out There'', with [[Renate Reinsve]] joining in a supporting role<ref>{{cite web|title=
Renate Reinsve to star in Alexander Payne's 'Somewhere Out There'|website=[[Screen Daily]]|first=Ben|last=Dalton|date=15 May 2025|access-date=17 May 2025|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/renate-reinsve-to-star-in-alexander-paynes-somewhere-out-there/5204998.article}}</ref> and [[Searchlight Pictures]] acquiring worldwide distribution rights. [[Principal photography]] is scheduled to begin in 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=Searchlight Pictures Buys Alexander Payne's Next Film 'Somewhere Out There' for Worldwide Rights|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=17 May 2025|access-date=17 May 2025|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/searchlight-pictures-alexander-paynes-somewhere-out-there-1236401799/}}</ref>

In 2025, Payne presided as the Jury President for the main competition of the [[82nd Venice International Film Festival|82nd edition]] of [[Venice Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title=Biennale Cinema 2025 {{!}} Alexander Payne President of the Venezia 82 international jury |url=https://www.labiennale.org/en/news/alexander-payne-president-venezia-82-international-jury |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=La Biennale di Venezia |language=en}}</ref>

=== Unrealized projects ===
In 1999, it was reported that Payne was in talks to direct ''Esquivel'', a biopic starring [[John Leguizamo]] as Mexican musician [[Juan García Esquivel]]. He was also developing an adaptation of [[Paul Auster]]'s ''[[The New York Trilogy#The Locked Room|The Locked Room]]'' at the time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Petrikin|first=Chris|title='Election's' Payne in talks for 'Esquivel'|date=July 27, 1999|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/election-s-payne-in-talks-for-esquivel-1117744211/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

In 2000, it was reported that Payne was to co-write and direct an untitled film inspired by [[Oscar Wilde]]'s ''[[The Picture of Dorian Gray]]''.
However, nothing more was heard of this project.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=Payne studying 'Picture'; second trip to 'Town|date=March 6, 2000|magazine=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2000/voices/columns/payne-studying-picture-second-trip-to-town-1117779133/|accessdate=June 13, 2022}}</ref>

At one point, Payne was in talks to direct [[Gambit (2012 film)|the remake]] of the 1966 heist comedy ''[[Gambit (1966 film)|Gambit]]'', after the [[Coen brothers]] did a rewrite of the film in 2003. He planned to reunite with [[Reese Witherspoon]] for the project, but he ultimately decided against it, reluctant to direct a script he didn't write.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2011/05/a-14-year-gambit-finally-provides-a-big-payoff-for-producer-mike-lobell-127657/|title=A 14-Year 'Gambit' Finally Provides a Big Payoff for Producer Mike Lobell|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=May 5, 2011|access-date=December 1, 2023}}</ref>

In November 2010, it was reported that Payne would possibly direct the [[Wilson (2017 film)|film adaptation]] of [[Daniel Clowes]]'s graphic novel ''[[Wilson (comics)|Wilson]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming |title='Wilson' Lands At Fox Searchlight With Alexander Payne|date=November 18, 2010|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2010/11/wilson-lands-at-fox-searchlight-with-alexander-payne-85203/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|title=Alexander Payne Attached To Direct Adaptation Of Daniel Clowes Comic 'Wilson'|date=November 18, 2010|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2010/11/alexander-payne-attached-to-direct-adaptation-of-daniel-clowes-comic-wilson-121677/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Alexander Payne Eyeing Wilson Adaptation|date=November 19, 2010|publisher=[[MovieWeb]]|url=https://movieweb.com/alexander-payne-eyeing-wilson-adaptation/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Schaefer|first=Sandy|title=Dan Clowes Adapting 'Wilson' For The Big Screen|date=November 19, 2010|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|url=https://screenrant.com/dan-clowes-wilson-alexander-payne/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Then in November 2011, Payne confirmed that he was to direct ''Wilson'' next after ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' (2013).<ref>{{cite web|last=Radish|first=Christina|title=Alexander Payne Talks THE DESCENDANTS and His Next Two Projects NEBRASKA and WILSON|date=November 17, 2011|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-the-descendants-wilson-interview/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|title=Alexander Payne Says 'Nebraska' Likely To Be Retitled, 'Wilson' Keeps Moving|date=November 9, 2011|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/11/alexander-payne-says-nebraska-likely-to-be-retitled-wilson-keeps-moving-255162/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tobias|first=Scott|title=Alexander Payne|date=November 15, 2011|publisher=[[The A.V. Club]]|url=https://www.avclub.com/alexander-payne-1798228470|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> However, Payne officially confirmed in a 2014 interview with ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]'' that he was no longer attached to the ''Wilson'' project.<ref>{{cite news|last=Neumeyer|first=Scott|title=Nebraska Director Alexander Payne Talks Bruce Dern and the Iconic Look of Black and White|newspaper=Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays |date=February 24, 2014|publisher=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]|url=https://parade.com/265496/scottneumyer/nebraska-director-alexander-payne-talks-bruce-dern-and-the-iconic-look-of-black-and-white/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

It was reported in 2011 that Payne was to direct a film titled ''Fork in the Road''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Director Alexander Payne returns to movies with a rumpled George Clooney in tow|date=November 15, 2011|newspaper=The Dallas Morning News|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/architecture/2011/11/16/director-alexander-payne-returns-to-movies-with-a-rumpled-george-clooney-in-tow/|accessdate=June 17, 2022}}</ref>  That project was to have been an adaptation of a novel by Denis Hamill.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Crawl: Minnesotans all over Oscars (no, not Diablo)|date=August 17, 2012|newspaper=Star Tribune|url=https://www.startribune.com/the-crawl-minnesotans-all-over-oscars-no-not-diablo/138087708/|accessdate=June 17, 2022}}</ref>

In 2012, it was reported that Payne and [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]] wrote a script titled ''The Lost Cause'', which was said to be an expansion of Taylor's 2004 short film of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dang|first=Simon|title=Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor To Preview New Script 'The Lost Cause' At Nantucket Film Festival|date=May 29, 2012|website=IndieWire|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/alexander-payne-jim-taylor-to-preview-new-script-the-lost-cause-at-nantucket-film-festival-110222/|accessdate=June 23, 2022}}</ref>

In November 2013, Payne was in talks to direct a film titled ''The Judge's Will'' for [[Fox Searchlight Pictures]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct THE JUDGE'S WILL for Fox Searchlight|date=October 8, 2013|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-the-judges-will/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hanna|first=Beth|title=In the Works: Alexander Payne Finds Next Project in 'The Judge's Will'|date=October 9, 2013|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/in-the-works-alexander-payne-finds-next-project-in-the-judges-will-195683/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Gallagher|title=Alexander Payne Teams Up with Fox Searchlight for The Judge's Will|date=October 8, 2013|publisher=[[MovieWeb]]|url=https://movieweb.com/alexander-payne-teams-up-with-fox-searchlight-for-the-judges-will/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The project was to have been based on a ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' article written by [[Ruth Prawer Jhabvala]] about an elderly judge from [[Delhi]] who wants to make sure his much younger wife will be taken care of after his death.<ref>{{cite web|last=White|first=James|title=Alexander Payne Finds The Judge's Will|date=October 9, 2013|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/alexander-payne-finds-judge-will/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming |title=Alexander Payne Teams With Searchlight, Conde Nast On 'The Judge's Will'|date=October 8, 2013|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url= https://deadline.com/2013/10/alexander-payne-teams-with-searchlight-conde-nast-on-the-judges-will-606314/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|title=Alexander Payne Signs 'The Judge's Will' With Fox Searchlight|date=October 8, 2013|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/alexander-payne-signs-the-judges-will-with-fox-searchlight-92855/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> In May 2018, it was reported that [[James Ivory]] would write the screenplay of the project for Payne.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=James Ivory to Write Alexander Payne's Family Drama 'The Judge's Will'|date=May 29, 2018|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/james-ivory-the-judges-will-alexander-payne-1202824692/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last= Fleming|title=James Ivory Adapting Ruth Prawer Jhabvala New Yorker Article 'The Judge's Will' For Alexander Payne At Fox Searchlight|date=May 29, 2018|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/james-ivory-alexander-payne-ruth-prawer-jhabvala-the-judges-will-new-yorker-fox-searchlight-1202397714/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=James Ivory to Write Alexander Payne's Family Drama 'The Judge's Will'|date=May 29, 2018|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/james-ivory-write-alexander-payne-225019903.html|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> In June 2018, it was reported that Payne will possibly shoot ''The Judge's Will'' in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Swartz|first=Tracy|title=Alexander Payne may be eyeing Chicago to film adaptation of New Yorker story|date=June 21, 2018|publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-alexander-payne-judges-will-filming-chicago-20180621-story.html?outputType=amp|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

In November 2014, it was announced that Payne would direct a film titled ''La Vida Norteña''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shoard|first=Catherine|title=Matt Damon downsizing with Alexander Payne|date=November 6, 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/06/matt-damon-downsizing-alexander-payne|accessdate=June 13, 2022}}</ref> The project was to have been about a Latin music promoter who befriends a Nebraskan mayor.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Michael|title=Matt Damon to Star in Alexander Payne's Epic Masterpiece, 'Downsizing'|date=November 6, 2014|website=Contactmusic.com|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/matt-damon/news/matt-damon-downsizing-alexander-payne_4447422|accessdate=June 13, 2022}}</ref>

In April 2015, it was reported that Payne was interested in directing ''Septillion to One'', a contemporary romantic comedy inspired by the true story of [[Joan R. Ginther|Joan Ginther]], who won the [[Texas State Lottery]] four times.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://www.thewrap.com/oddlot-wins-heated-auction-for-septillion-to-one-alexander-payne-circling-to-direct-exclusive/|title=OddLot Wins Heated Auction for 'Septillion to One'; Alexander Payne Circling to Direct (Exclusive)|website=[[TheWrap]]|date=April 1, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/alexander-payne-may-bet-on-septillion-to-one-odds-265453/|title=Alexander Payne May Bet On 'Septillion to One' Odds|website=[[IndieWire]]|date=April 2, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|url=https://collider.com/septillion-to-one-alexander-payne/|title=Alexander Payne May Like the Odds on SEPTILLION TO ONE|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=April 3, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Han|first=Angie|url=https://collider.com/septillion-to-one-alexander-payne/|title=Alexander Payne Considers Betting On 'Septillion To One'|website=[[/Film]]|date=April 3, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref> Adam R. Perlman and Graham Sack's spec script was purchased by [[OddLot Entertainment]], who intended to produce and finance the film. Payne was not officially committed to directing at the time, due to his preoccupation with the production of ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]'' (2017). In September 2016, [[Mark Romanek]] signed on to direct the film.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/mark-romanek-septillion-to-one-oddlot-entertainment-stx-entertainment-1201819746/|title=Mark Romanek To Helm 'Septillion To One'|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cabin|first=Chris|url=https://collider.com/mark-romanek-septillion-to-one/|title=Mark Romanek Set to Direct Romantic Comedy 'Septillion to One'|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Han|first=Angie|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/546558/mark-romanek-septillion-to-one/|title=Mark Romanek Gambles On 'Septillion To One'|website=[[/Film]]|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2023}}</ref>

In February 2016, it was announced that Payne was to direct a film titled ''My Saga'', which is based on a pair of articles written by [[Karl Ove Knausgård]] and published by ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Travel Tale 'My Saga'|date=February 9, 2016|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/alexander-payne-my-saga-nebraska-1201701569/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jagernauth|first=Kevin|title=Alexander Payne To Direct Road Trip Flick 'My Saga'|date=February 9, 2016|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/02/alexander-payne-to-direct-road-trip-flick-my-saga-272560/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Anne|title=Bona Fide Acquires Movie Rights to Knausgaard New York Times Series 'My Saga' for Alexander Payne (EXCLUSIVE)|date=February 9, 2016|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/02/bona-fide-acquires-movie-rights-to-knausgaard-new-york-times-series-my-saga-for-alexander-payne-exclusive-175035/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cabin|first=Chris|title=Alexander Payne Set to Hit the Road Again With 'My Saga'|date=February 10, 2016|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-my-saga-struggle-karl-ove-knausgaard/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The articles cover Knausgård tracing the [[Vikings]]' voyages in North America.<ref>{{cite web|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|title=Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Road Trip Film 'My Saga'|date=February 9, 2016|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexander-payne-direct-norwegian-road-863606|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=Alexander Payne to Direct Norwegian Travel Tale 'My Saga'|date=February 9, 2016|publisher=[[Yahoo! Finance]]|url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/alexander-payne-direct-norwegian-travel-tale-saga-014436772.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANP2QmKWZn9R_tJKLwUIAi5pb-sIOspKzvRMWcsD2bEj5ytNoWqxNh9NLOrEXUMhoDaDVdgTAEh8VkVX9LIYyBXNtuOKYCyv6yid5S4T8fVXtUV5QFiZfSDvLRYuyHU3GXsix3nbxTHNjmPK-7rHmArRliD4OEmi225kfITAoFk4&_guc_consent_skip=1595599537|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Giroux|first=Jesse|title=ALEXANDER PAYNE TO DIRECT ADAPTATION OF KARL OVE KNAUSGAARD'S MY SAGA|date=February 10, 2016|publisher=[[JoBlo.com]]|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/alexander-payne-to-direct-adaptation-of-karl-ove-knausgaards-my-saga-256|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The film was to have been distributed by [[Netflix]] and star [[Mads Mikkelsen]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=Ben|title='Sideways' director Alexander Payne's new Netflix movie axed just days before shoot|date=October 18, 2019|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|url=https://news.yahoo.com/sideways-director-alexander-paynes-new-netflix-movie-axed-just-days-before-shoot-120553810.html|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Megan|title=Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen's Netflix movie is dropped suddenly for unexpected reason|date=October 17, 2019|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a29505030/hannibal-mads-mikkelsen-netflix-movie-cancelled/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|title=Alexander Payne's Netflix Movie Cancelled a Week Before Filming Was Supposed to Begin|date=October 18, 2019|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-netflix-movie-cancelled/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> In October 2019, the production was cancelled a week before filming was to begin due to Knausgard objecting to his life story being turned into a feature film.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming |title=Rights Issues Cancel Alexander Payne-Directed Mads Mikkelsen Netflix Film|date=October 17, 2019|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/alexander-payne-mads-mikkelsen-netflix-film-canceled-rights-issues-1202761585/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

In March 2018, Payne was in talks to direct a legal drama film for [[Amazon Studios]] titled ''[[The Burial (film)|The Burial]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|title=Alexander Payne in Talks for Legal Drama 'The Burial' at Amazon|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/alexander-payne-the-burial-amazon-1202726578/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming |title=Alexander Payne In Talks For 'The Burial' At Amazon Studios|date=March 14, 2018|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/alexander-payne-the-burial-willie-gary-amazon-studios-1202337796/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Galuppo|first=Mia|title=Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Amazon Legal Drama 'The Burial'|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexander-payne-talks-direct-amazon-legal-drama-burial-1094451|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|title=Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Legal Drama 'The Burial' for Amazon Studios|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-the-burial-amazon-studios/#images|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The project was based on the true story of [[Mississippi]]-based lawyer [[Willie E. Gary|Willie Gary]], who takes on the case of [[Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe|Jeremiah O'Keefe]], an owner of a chain of funeral homes who claimed he was swindled by a major funeral parlor conglomerate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burke|first=Carolyn|title=Alexander Payne in Talks to Direct Amazon's The Burial|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|url=https://screenrant.com/alexander-payne-burial-movie-amazon/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fleming Jr.|title=Alexander Payne In Talks For 'The Burial' At Amazon Studios|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=[[Yahoo! Entertainment]]|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/alexander-payne-talks-burial-amazon-164103051.html|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Maggie Betts]] took over as director and the film premiered in 2023 at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]].

It was reported in February 2019 that Payne was attached to direct the comedy horror film ''[[The Menu (2022 film)|The Menu]]'' for [[Gary Sanchez Productions]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|title=Alexander Payne and Gary Sanchez Productions Team on His Next Film 'The Menu' (EXCLUSIVE)|date=February 8, 2019|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/alexander-payne-gary-sanchez-the-menu-1203133659/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> The plot concerns a young couple that attends an exclusive restaurant in a tropical island only to experience some "shocking surprises."<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|title=Exclusive: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes Eyed to Star in Alexander Payne's 'The Menu'|date=April 4, 2019|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/emma-stone-ralph-fiennes-the-menu-cast/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Mike|title=Emma Stone & Ralph Fiennes Cast In Alexander Payne's The Menu|date=April 9, 2019|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|url=https://screenrant.com/emma-stone-ralph-fiennes-alexander-payne-menu-movie/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Baxter|first=Joseph|title=Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes Eyed to Star in Horror Comedy The Menu|date=April 4, 2019|publisher=[[Den of Geek]]|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/emma-stone-ralph-fiennes-the-menu/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=White|first=James|title=Emma Stone And Ralph Fiennes Eyed For Alexander Payne's Latest|date=April 4, 2019|publisher=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/emma-stone-ralph-fiennes-eyed-alexander-payne-latest/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> By April 2019, [[Emma Stone]] and [[Ralph Fiennes]] were set to star in the film.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming |title=Hot Project Du Jour: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes, Alexander Payne On 'The Menu'|date=April 9, 2019|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/the-menu-alexander-payne-emma-stone-ralph-fiennes-gary-sanchez-hot-project-1202592013/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fleming Jr.|title=Hot Project Du Jour: Emma Stone, Ralph Fiennes, Alexander Payne On 'The Menu'|date=April 9, 2019|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/hot-project-du-jour-emma-183256651.html|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> By May 2020, [[Mark Mylod]] replaced Payne on ''The Menu''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Squires|first=John|title=Alexander Payne No Longer Directing Horror-Comedy 'The Menu'; Mark Mylod Taking Over|date=May 29, 2020|publisher=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3618572/alexander-payne-no-longer-directing-horror-comedy-menu-mark-mylod-taking/#:~:text=Movies-,Alexander%20Payne%20No%20Longer%20Directing%20Horror%2DComedy%20'The,Menu'%3B%20Mark%20Mylod%20Taking%20Over&text=Oscar%2Dwinner%20Alexander%20Payne%20(Sideways,Those%20plans%20have%20changed.|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hamman|first=Cody|title=Mark Mylod Steps in for Alexander Pyne as Director of 'The Menu'|date=May 29, 2020|publisher=[[JoBlo.com]]|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/mark-mylod-steps-in-for-alexander-payne-as-director-of-the-menu|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

On December 2, 2019, it was announced that Payne was attached to direct an American remake of the 1987 Oscar-winning Danish film ''[[Babette's Feast]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lattanzio|first=Ryan|title=Alexander Payne Rebounds From Cancelled Netflix Project With 'Babette's Feast' Remake|date=December 2, 2019|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/alexander-payne-babettes-feast-1202193668/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|title=Alexander Payne Takes On Reimagining Of 'Babette's Feast'|date=December 2, 2019|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/alexander-payne-babettes-feast-remake-bob-shaye-1202798401/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gemmill|first=Allie|title='Downsizing' Director Alexander Payne to Direct New Take on 'Babette's Feast'|date=December 2, 2019|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|url=https://collider.com/alexander-payne-babettes-feast-remake/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mike Fleming Jr.|title=Alexander Payne Takes On Reimagining Of 'Babette's Feast'|date=December 2, 2019|publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/alexander-payne-takes-reimagining-babette-181720220.html|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> Payne's version is said to be set in [[Minnesota]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Lee Svitak Dean|title=Minnesota will be the setting for remake of Oscar-winning film 'Babette's Feast'|date=December 11, 2019|publisher=[[Star Tribune]]|url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-will-be-the-setting-for-remake-of-oscar-winning-film-babette-s-feast/566077511/|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sasvari|first=Joanne|title=Salut!: Babette's stuffed quail a French decadence worth recreating|work=vancouversun |date=February 18, 2020|publisher=[[Vancouver Sun]]|url=https://vancouversun.com/life/food/salut-babettes-stuffed-quail-a-french-decadence-worth-recreating|access-date=July 24, 2020}}</ref>

On December 20, 2019, it was announced that Payne was going to direct the HBO miniseries ''[[Landscapers (TV series)|Landscapers]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=THR Staff|title=Olivia Colman to Star in Crime Drama 'Landscapers' for HBO, Sky|date=December 20, 2019|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/olivia-colman-star-sky-crime-drama-landscapers-1264408/|accessdate=June 13, 2022}}</ref> However, in October 2020, it was announced that Payne dropped out of the project due to a schedule conflict and was replaced by [[Will Sharpe]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Thorne|first=Will|title=Alexander Payne Exits Olivia Colman HBO, Sky Drama 'Landscapers'|date=October 9, 2020|magazine=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/alexander-payne-exits-olivia-colman-hbo-drama-landscapers-1234799279/|accessdate=June 13, 2022}}</ref>

In 2021, Payne said that one of his upcoming projects, which he planned to follow ''The Holdovers'', would be a comedy set in Paris based on the true story of rival antique chair dealers, and that he was using the pandemic downtime to craft the screenplay.<ref>{{cite web|last=Michel Feld|first=Karina|url=https://medium.com/authority-magazine/oscar-winner-alexander-payne-5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-when-i-first-became-a-filmmaker-2edf6caf01cf |title=Oscar Winner Alexander Payne: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker|website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]]|date=June 4, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref> In 2023, Payne told ''[[IndieWire]]'' that he was working with [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]] and a French screenwriting team, and that their script is "maybe 65 percent there".<ref name=indi>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Anne|url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/consider-this/alexander-payne-interview-how-he-made-the-holdovers-1234919451/|title=How a French Movie from 1935 Inspired Alexander Payne's Latest, 'The Holdovers'|website=IndieWire|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref> Project is based on the 2018 ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' article "The Chairmen".<ref name=screen/>

In 2022, soon after the publication of ''[[Tracy Flick Can't Win]]'', the sequel novel to ''Election'', a film adaptation was announced to be in works at [[Paramount+]] with [[Reese Witherspoon]] set to reprise her role as [[Tracy Flick]] and Payne returning to direct and co-write.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/reese-witherspoon-election-sequel-tracy-flick-cant-win-1235454271/|title=Reese Witherspoon to Star in 'Election' Sequel 'Tracy Flick Can't Win' at Paramount+|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=November 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=Roger|date=March 12, 2024|title=Oscars: Why Spielberg Couldn't Give Best Picture Award, Oppenheimer Gang Is The Bomb at Universal Gala|url=https://www.showbiz411.com/2024/03/11/oscars-why-spielberg-couldnt-give-best-picture-award-oppenheimer-gang-is-the-bomb-at-universal-gala|access-date=March 13, 2024|website=[[Showbiz411]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Edelman|first=George|url=https://movieweb.com/alexander-payne-interview-classic-movies-election-2/|title=Alexander Payne on Classic Movies, His Long-Awaited 'Election' Sequel, and Why 'Ben-Hur' Is "Still F**king Awesome" (Exclusive)|website=[[MovieWeb]]|date=May 22, 2025|access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref>

While promoting ''The Holdovers'', Payne announced that he was collaborating with scribe [[David Hemingson]] yet again on a long-time dream to make a [[Western (genre)|Western film]]. "I finally found a creative partner who shares the same zeal that I have for Westerns", Payne said.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pedersen|first=Lise|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/alexander-payne-the-holdovers-sideways-descendants-1235757521/|title='Sideways' Writer-Director Alexander Payne on What Makes a Good Film and What's Missing in American Cinema|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 16, 2023|access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref><ref name=indi/> The film is said to be set in 1886 [[Custer County, Nebraska]], and will feature [[Paul Giamatti]] in a currently undisclosed role.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blyth|first=Antonia|url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/the-holdovers-david-hemingson-alexander-payne-paul-giamatti-new-western-film-news-1235836168/|title='The Holdovers' David Hemingson Reveals Details Of New Alexander Payne Western Project & Hopes Paul Giamatti Will Join: "We've Written Him A Part"|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Severe|first=Mike'l|url=https://flatwaterfreepress.org/id-rather-be-making-a-film-before-walking-oscars-red-carpet-alexander-payne-sits-down-with-ffp/|title='I'd rather be making a film': Before walking Oscars red carpet, Alexander Payne sits down with FFP|website=Flatwater Free Press|date=March 5, 2024|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Payne has cited the Westerns of [[Anthony Mann]] as an influence on the project.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vourlias|first=Christopher|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/sarajevo-alexander-payne-election-sequel-1236110062/|title=Alexander Payne Dishes on 'Election' Sequel, Upcoming Western With 'Holdovers' Scribe and Dream of Doing 'a Good Car Chase Film'|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=August 18, 2024|access-date=November 13, 2023}}</ref>

On a 2023 episode of ''Happy Sad Confused'', Payne revealed that one of his favorite scripts which had not been produced was a rewrite with [[Jim Taylor (writer)|Jim Taylor]] on a film called ''Tucker Ames as Himself'', which he described as "sort of a [[parody]] of a [[Bill Gates]] guy who gets his comeuppance in some way."<ref>{{cite video |last=Horowitz |first=Josh |title=Alexander Payne talks THE HOLDOVERS, ELECTION sequel &#124; Happy Sad Confused |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=FyfJeqlKZA0&si=wCO1cjGJJex_TVJk |via=[[YouTube]] |publisher=Happy Sad Confused |date=November 9, 2023}}</ref> In the same interview, Payne reiterated that he and Taylor were still discussing how to adapt ''Tracy Flick Can't Win'', attributing his desire to add [[Matthew Broderick]]'s character from the first film and veer away from "making high school movies," since the novel is set at a high school again.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Edward |date=November 9, 2023 |title='Election' Sequel: Alexander Payne Says He Wants Matthew Broderick Back & To "Loosely" Adapt The Book That Doesn't Include His Character |url=https://theplaylist.net/election-sequel-alexander-payne-says-he-wants-matthew-broderick-back-to-loosely-adapt-the-book-that-doesnt-include-his-character-20231109/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=The Playlist}}</ref>

== Style ==
Payne has set many of his films in [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], his hometown. His films sometimes include scenes of historical landmarks, black and white photographs, and museums, and he often uses amateur actors for minor roles.<ref name="NYer-2013"/><ref name=NCC-2013>{{cite web|last=Biga|first=Leo Adam|title=Nebraska Coast Connection Salon Q&A with Alexander Payne: The Filmmaker Speaks Candidly About 'Nebraska,' Casting, Screenwriting and Craft: Alexander Payne in conversation with Nebraska Coast Connection founder Todd Nelson|url=http://leoadambiga.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/nebraska-coast-connection-salon-with-alexander-payne-the-filmmaker-speaks-candidly-about-nebraska-casting-screenwriting-and-craft/|work=Leo Adam Biga|access-date=November 14, 2013|date=September 24, 2013}}</ref>

Payne is on the short list of directors who have [[Final cut privilege|final cut rights]] for their films.<ref name=THR-DirectorsRound2011>{{cite web|last=Belloni|first=Matthew|title=THR's Directors Roundtable: How to Fire People, Who to Steal From, and Amy Pascal's Secret Advice|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/alexander-payne-jason-reitman-oscars-262440|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 14, 2013|page=3|date=November 16, 2011}}</ref>

In 2005, he became a member of the Board of Governors of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] (Directors Branch).

==Personal life==
===Family===
Payne married Canadian actress [[Sandra Oh]] on January 1, 2003, after dating her for three years. On March 12, 2005, a [[publicist]] announced their separation. The divorce was officially finalized on December 22, 2006,<ref name=UPI-Oh-files-2005>{{cite web|title=Sandra Oh files to divorce husband Payne|url=http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2005/04/18/Sandra-Oh-files-to-divorce-husband-Payne/UPI-53811113852105/|agency=UPI (United Press International, Inc.)|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=April 18, 2005}}</ref> although the former couple took more than two years to settle their finances.<ref name=People-Oh-2006>{{cite web|first1=Ken|last1=Lee|title=Sandra Oh Is Officially Single|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005420,00.html|work=[[People Magazine|People]]|access-date=November 13, 2013|first2=Stephen M.|last2=Silverman|date=December 27, 2006|author2-link=Stephen M. Silverman|archive-date=January 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123001148/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20005420,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=People-Oh-2007>{{cite magazine|last=Lee|first=Ken|title=Sandra Oh's Ex: No Spousal Support|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20009342,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125065639/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20009342,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2007|magazine=[[People Magazine|People]]|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=January 22, 2007}}</ref><ref name=People-divorced>{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Ken|title=Sandra Oh and Alexander Payne's Divorce Finalized|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20152998,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131113210231/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20152998,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 13, 2013|work=[[People Magazine|People]]|access-date=November 13, 2013|date=October 18, 2007}}</ref> In 2015, Payne married Maria Kontos, whom he met while visiting the [[Aigio]] region of Greece where some of his ancestors originated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.protothema.gr/oscar-winning-alexander-payne-secretly-gets-married-with-a-greek-woman/|title=Oscar-winning Alexander Payne secretly gets married with a Greek woman|work=[[Proto Thema]]|date=October 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422002059/http://en.protothema.gr/oscar-winning-alexander-payne-secretly-gets-married-with-a-greek-woman/|archive-date=April 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TheObserver2018">{{cite news|last1=Romney |first1=Jonathan |title=Alexander Payne on Downsizing: 'The film isn't a major statement – it's a metaphor'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/07/alexander-payne-downsizing-interview-matt-damon|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=January 8, 2018|date=January 7, 2018}}</ref> They welcomed a daughter in 2017, and divorced in 2022.<ref>{{cite web
	| url = https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/divorce-of-omaha-filmmaker-alexander-payne-an-international-affair-records-sealed-in-court/article_f0079cd5-a774-57e4-a59d-b64b7adbd252.html?mode=nowapp
	| title = Divorce of Omaha filmmaker Alexander Payne an international affair; records sealed in court
	| last = Cooper
	| first = Todd
	| date = 23 May 2023
	| website = Omaha World-Herald
	| access-date = 9 November 2023}}</ref> In 2022 he received [[Greek nationality law|Greek citizenship]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Newsroom|title=Oscar-winning Alexander Payne becomes Greek citizen {{!}} eKathimerini.com|url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1177106/oscar-winning-alexander-payne-becomes-greek-citizen/|access-date=2022-02-08|website=www.ekathimerini.com|language=English}}</ref>

===Philanthropy and business ventures===
Payne is on the Board of Directors of an [[Omaha]] non-profit film theater, [[Film Streams]].<ref name="NYer-2013"/> He maintains a passion for preservation. In recent years, he helped preserve a historic film theater in [[Scottsbluff, Nebraska]].<ref name=NELife-MidwestTheater>{{cite web|last=Bristow|first=David L.|title=Saving Our Cinema: Scottsbluff's Midwest Theater offers a glimpse of Nebraska film possibilities.|url=https://www.nebraskalife.com/movies.asp|work=Nebraska Life|access-date=November 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060328090742/https://www.nebraskalife.com/movies.asp|archive-date=March 28, 2006|quote=Midwest Theater (Scottsbluff, NE)}}</ref>

Payne was co-owner (along with friend Ann Beeder) of King Fong (now permanently closed), a Chinese restaurant in Omaha.<ref name=JaneFondablog-2012>{{cite web|last=Fonda|first=Jane|title=Alexander Payne, Laura Dern & an Amazing Weekend in Omaha|url=http://janefonda.com/alexander-payne-laura-dern-an-amazing-weekend-in-omaha/|work=JaneFonda.com|access-date=November 14, 2013|date=July 24, 2012}}</ref>

Payne is a long-time supporter<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Andrew|last=Stewart |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/markets-festivals/nebraska-hollywood-connect-1200482102/ |title=Alexander Payne Screens 'Nebraska' Cannes, Nebraska Coast Connection |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 17, 2013 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref> of the [[Nebraska Coast Connection]], a social networking organization that meets monthly in [[Culver City, California]]. In November 2013, he held a special screening of ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' for the group's members at the Sherry Lansing Theatre on the [[Paramount Studios]] lot.<ref>{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Verrier|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-ct-alexander-payne-nebraska-20131120-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128164717/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/20/business/la-fi-ct-alexander-payne-nebraska-20131120 |url-status=live |archive-date=November 28, 2013 |title=Alexander Payne's 'Nebraska' shows state's deep roots in Hollywood|work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=November 23, 2015}}</ref>

===Statutory rape allegation===
In a 2018 interview with [[Ronan Farrow]], actress [[Rose McGowan]] accused a "prominent” man in Hollywood of [[statutory rape]] but she did not name the person in question.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Strauss|first=Jackie|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/rose-mcgowan-tells-ronan-farrow-hollywood-predator-1081182|title= Rose McGowan Tells Ronan Farrow of Another 'Very Famous' Hollywood Predator|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 2, 2018|access-date= August 21, 2020}}</ref> In August 2020, McGowan said it was Payne and that he committed the act sometime in 1988 or 1989, when McGowan was 15 years old and Payne was about 28 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/rose-mcgowan-alexander-payne-sexual-misconduct-allegations-1234737265/|title=Rose McGowan on Why She Revealed Statutory Rape Allegations Against Alexander Payne: 'It Was Time'|date=August 17, 2020|first1=Elizabeth|last1=Wagmeister|first2=Kate|last2=Aurthur|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>

Payne responded to McGowan's allegation by writing a guest column in ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' in which he admitted to a consensual relationship with her, stating that they had met at some point in 1991 (McGowan turned 18 in September 1991) at an audition for a comic short film that he was directing for the [[Playboy TV|Playboy Channel]] and had no reason to believe she was under the [[age of consent]] as the part required an actress who was of age. Payne ended his statement writing, "While I cannot allow false statements about events 29 years ago to go uncorrected, I will continue to wish only the best for Rose".<ref>{{cite web|first=Alexander|last=Payne|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/alexander-payne-denies-rose-mcgowan-underage-allegation-guest-column-1234570984/|title= Alexander Payne Denies Rose McGowan Underage Allegation: Guest Column|website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 4, 2020|access-date= September 6, 2020}}</ref>

==Works==
===Short film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
!width=65| Director
!width=65| Writer
!width=65| Producer
! Notes
|-
| 1985
| ''Carmen''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 1990
| ''[[The Passion of Martin]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| 1991
| ''Inside Out: My Secret Moments''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside Out: My Secret Moments|url=https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/festival/film-archive/film/?id=4540&f=97|access-date=August 30, 2024 |website=[[Filmfest München]]}}</ref>
|-
| 1992
| ''Inside Out: The Houseguest''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside Out: The Houseguest|url=https://www.filmfest-muenchen.de/en/festival/film-archive/film/?id=4542&f=97|access-date=August 30, 2024 |website=Filmfest München}}</ref>
|-
| 2006
| ''14e arrondissement''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| Segment of ''[[Paris, je t'aime]]''
|}

===Feature film===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
!width=65| Director
!width=65| Writer
!width=65| Producer
! Notes
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Citizen Ruth]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[About Schmidt]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Sideways]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[The Descendants]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[The Holdovers]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|
|-
| {{TBA}}
| Untitled [[Jeanine Basinger]] documentary
| {{Yes}}
| {{TBA}}
| {{TBA}}
|In production
|}

{{col-float|style=width:33em}}
'''Executive producer'''
* ''[[The Assassination of Richard Nixon]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Gray Matters (2006 film)|Gray Matters]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The Savages (film)|The Savages]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Sideways (2009 film)|Sideways]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Crash Pad]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Small Town Wisconsin]]'' (2020)

{{col-float-break|style=width:33em}}
'''Producer'''
* ''[[King of California]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Cedar Rapids (film)|Cedar Rapids]]'' (2011)

'''Writer only'''
* ''[[Meet the Parents]]'' (2000) (uncredited)
* ''[[Jurassic Park III]]'' (2001)
* ''[[I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry]]'' (2007)
{{col-float-end}}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
!width=65| Director
!width=65| Executive<br />producer
! Episode
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Hung (TV series)|Hung]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|"Pilot" (S1 E1)
|}
=== Bibliography ===
* Julie Levinson, ed. ''Alexander Payne: Interviews''. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2014. ISBN  978-1-62846-109-1.<ref>{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103242/http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1941 |date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>
* Alexander Payne and James Zemaitis. ''The Coffee Table Coffee Table Book.'' London: Black Dog Pub, 2003. {{ISBN|978-190-103304-5}}.<ref name=BlackDog-Coffee>{{cite web|title=The Coffee Table Coffee Table Book|url=http://blackdogonline.com/all-books/the-coffee-table-coffee-table-book.html|work=Black Dog Publishing|access-date=November 13, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113222356/http://blackdogonline.com/all-books/the-coffee-table-coffee-table-book.html|archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref>
* Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61217924 ''The Sideways Guide to Wine and Life.''] New York: Newmarket, 2005. Illustrated by [[Rex Pickett]]. {{ISBN|978-155-704686-4}}.

== Awards and nominations ==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Alexander Payne}}
[[File:Paynesrcesarajeva-6.jpg|thumb|Payne holding the [[Heart of Sarajevo#Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award|Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award]] at the [[Sarajevo Film Festival]] in 2024.]]

Over his career Payne has received numerous accolades including two [[Academy Awards]], a [[BAFTA Award]], two [[Golden Globe Awards]], and five [[Independent Spirit Awards]]. He has also received a nomination for a [[Grammy Award]]. In 2017, [[Metacritic]] ranked Payne 2nd on its list of the 25 best film directors of the 21st century.<ref>[https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/best-movie-directors-21st-century/25 MetaCritic Top 25 Best Movie Directors of the 21st century: so Far (Alexander Payne)]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Year
! rowspan="2" | Title
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| Academy Awards
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| BAFTA Awards
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" width=160| Golden Globe Awards
|-
! Nominations
! Wins
! Nominations
! Wins
! Nominations
! Wins
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Election (1999 film)|Election]]''
|align=center|1
|
|
|
|align=center|1
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[About Schmidt]]''
|align=center|2
|
|align=center|1
|
|align=center|5
|align=center|2
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Sideways]]''
|align=center|5
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|align=center|7
|align=center|2
|-
| 2011
| ''[[The Descendants]]''
|align=center|5
|align=center|1
|align=center|3
|
|align=center|5
|align=center|2
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]''
|align=center|6
|
|align=center|3
|
|align=center|5
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Downsizing (film)|Downsizing]]''
|
|
|
|
|align=center|1
|
|-
|2023
| ''[[The Holdovers]]''
|align=center|5
|align=center|1
|align=center|7
|align=center|2
|align=center|3
|align=center|2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!align=center|19
!align=center|3
!align=center|15
!align=center|3
!align=center|27
!align=center|8
|}

'''Directed Academy Award performances'''<br />
Under Payne's direction, these actors have received [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominations and wins for their performances in their respective roles.
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Performer
!Title
!Result
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Academy Award for Best Actor]]
|-
|[[75th Academy Awards|2003]]
|[[Jack Nicholson]]
|''[[About Schmidt]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[84th Academy Awards|2012]]
|[[George Clooney]]
|''[[The Descendants]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[86th Academy Awards|2014]]
|[[Bruce Dern]]
|''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[96th Academy Awards|2024]]
|[[Paul Giamatti]]
|''[[The Holdovers]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]
|-
|[[77th Academy Awards|2005]]
|[[Thomas Haden Church]]
|''[[Sideways]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress]]
|-
|[[75th Academy Awards|2003]]
|[[Kathy Bates]]
|''[[About Schmidt]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[77th Academy Awards|2005]]
|[[Virginia Madsen]]
|''[[Sideways]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[86th Academy Awards|2014]]
|[[June Squibb]]
|''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[96th Academy Awards|2024]]
|[[Da'Vine Joy Randolph]]
|''[[The Holdovers]]''
|{{won}}
|}
In 2012, he was named as a member of the Jury for the Main Competition at the [[2012 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/58948.html |title=The Jury of the 65th Festival de Cannes |access-date=April 25, 2012 |work=festival-cannes.com |publisher=Cannes Film Festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524235524/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/article/58948.html |archive-date=May 24, 2012 }}</ref> His 2013 film ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' was nominated for the [[Palme d'Or]] at the [[2013 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="Cannes2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/59652.html |title=2013 Official Selection|date=April 18, 2013|access-date=April 18, 2013|work=Cannes}}</ref> With his [[Academy Award]] nomination for ''[[Nebraska (film)|Nebraska]]'' in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 January 2014|title=Ο 'Έλληνας" των Όσκαρ|url=https://www.newsit.gr/ellada/o-ellinas-ton-oskar/1658094/|website=NewsIT}}</ref> Payne has been nominated seven times, winning the [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay]] twice.

In 2014, The [[Location Managers Guild of America]] honored Payne with their inaugural [[Eva Monley|Eva Monley Award]] for his masterful use of location as another character.

==See also==
* [[List of Golden Globe winners]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Alexander Payne}}
* {{IMDb name|668247|Alexander Payne}}
*{{cite news|last=Fischbach|first=Bob|title='The Descendants' debuts in Omaha|url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20111120/GO/311219977#.UoPad5RgYrk|access-date=November 13, 2013|newspaper=Omaha World-Herald|date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110191700/http://www.omaha.com/article/20111120/GO/311219977#.UoPad5RgYrk|archive-date=November 10, 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{Alexander Payne}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Alexander Payne|Awards for Alexander Payne]]
|list =
{{AcademyAwardBestAdaptedScreenplay 2001–2020}}
{{BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2000–2019}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{IndependentAwardforBestDirector}}
{{Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director}}
{{San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{Satellite Award Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Director}}
{{St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay}}
{{St. Louis Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{USC Scripter Awards — Film}}
{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
{{Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay}}
}}
{{Venice Film Festival jury presidents}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Payne, Alexander}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Adapted Screenplay BAFTA Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Director Independent Spirit Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Entertainers from Nebraska]]
[[Category:Writers from Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Stanford University alumni]]
[[Category:UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television alumni]]
[[Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners]]
[[Category:Greek-American culture in Omaha, Nebraska]]
[[Category:American writers of Greek descent]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
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[[Category:Best Screenplay Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Golden Globe Award–winning producers]]
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