Martin Scorsese’s Dog Bites Paul Schrader During Unforgettable Dinner
A dinner at Martin Scorsese’s home took a bizarre turn when his dog bit Paul Schrader’s thumb. The legendary collaborators faced an unexpected emergency, but quick action from Scorsese’s in-house nurse saved the day.
Martin Scorsese and Paul Schrader have shared a creative partnership and friendship for more than half a century. Over the years, their relationship has seen its share of highs and lows, but nothing quite as strange as what happened one evening at Scorsese’s home. What started as a simple dinner between two longtime friends quickly turned into a night neither will forget.
Decades of Collaboration and Change
Schrader and Scorsese first teamed up on what would become a landmark film, with Schrader’s second credited screenplay turning into the iconic Taxi Driver. Their collaboration continued with Raging Bull, another film that defined an era. The Last Temptation of Christ, their third project together, sparked controversy and conversation, cementing their place in film history.
By the late 1990s, their professional paths began to diverge. Schrader had established himself as a director, and both realized it was time to move on. As Schrader put it,
“There were now two directors in the room, and with Marty, there could only be one.”
Despite going their separate ways, there was no bitterness—just mutual respect for each other’s talents and careers.
An Unexpected Turn at the Dinner Table
Years after their last collaboration, Schrader found himself at Scorsese’s home for dinner. The evening took a shocking turn when one of Scorsese’s dogs, a Scottie belonging to his daughter, bit Schrader’s thumb. The incident was so unexpected, it almost sounded like a scene from a slapstick comedy.
Recalling the event, Schrader explained,
“So, on Tuesday night, I had dinner with Marty at his place. He has these dogs. They were very cute. Two of them were bichon frisé. They’re very beautiful.”
But there was another dog in the house.
“He has a Scottie, which is a problematic dog. It was his daughter’s dog. He doesn’t like the dog, but they have to keep him and blah, blah, blah.”
Schrader tried to pet the Scottie, but things went south fast.
“The Scottie not only took out part of my thumb, he ate it.”
Quick Thinking and a Surprising Solution
Instead of heading to the emergency room, Schrader received immediate care from an unexpected source. For reasons unknown, Scorsese had a nurse on staff who was able to treat the injury right away. This quick response meant Schrader avoided a trip to the hospital, though he left the dinner with a heavily bandaged hand and a story that’s hard to top.
Sometimes, even the most ordinary evenings can take a wild turn—especially when you’re dining with legends of the film world and their unpredictable pets.