Actor, Screenwriter, Director
Actor, writer and director Paul Sampson suffers with a rare Hollywood condition called Terminal Success. With his skills featured throughout the spectrum of film and creative entertainment, Paul's abilities are bred from responding to opportunity with a dedicated effort toward personal growth. When the availability to present talent opens, Paul has the tools required to fill the need.
Paul Sampson began his training in Voice and Movement with Bernard Rheehle of the New England Vaudeville. Since then he has trained one-on-one with legendary “Old Establishment” greats including Carlton Coyer of Trinity Repertory and New York City’s Donald Buka and Liz Dixon.
Paul made his stage debut in third grade with the lead role of Kris Kringle where he awed the audience, not for his performance, but due to the fact that he was able to wear the heavy Santa costume and itchy beard for two full acts without crying or soiling himself. Truly a feat unheard of for a boy at the tender age of seven.
Over the years Paul has carried roles ranging from slapstick to psychotic killer with equal adeptness. Whether playing the cop, the heavy, the comic relief, the town hunk or the mentally challenged, his strong emotional range, comedic timing, and dramatic physical presence have resulted in dozens of commendable stage performances. A clear noteworthy mark in his body of works was his ability to play and receive rave reviews in multiple roles in two different stage productions of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”; one where he played George and the other Lenny. Paul made a seamless transition from the stage to film and has both starred (i.e. “Whacked”) and supported in many Independent and Studio level feature films. His work has been seen theatrically (i.e. “Deuces Wild”) and throughout all the major network cable stations (HBO, “If You Only Knew”). He maintains the ability to jump from leading man to character actor and back effortlessly and convincingly, working alongside a long list of well known and respected industry actors.
Another field that Paul has attained excellence in is writing. He has established himself as a prolific screenwriter in which several of his screenplays have been nominated and awarded on the independent level (i.e. “Victory Rose”). Paul also co-wrote and co-starred in the buddy-action feature film Whacked. (This film, however, was not nominated for anything…hey, they can’t all be gold!).
For Paul, having writing and starring credits in a movie is not unfamiliar territory. However, he has recently reached a new milestone, in addition to writing and starring, he has also produced and directed the film, Night of the Templar. The story is an original concept in which a Medieval Knight returns after 700 years to seek vengeance on those who betrayed him so long ago. In addition to Paul’s lead performance, the feature also stars some of his dear friends and fellow actors. Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints), Max Perlich (Blow), Udo Kier (Blade), Billy Drago (Untouchables) and David Carradine (Kill Bill), help round out the cultish film’s cast of colorful characters. Now in post production, the 35mm project is scheduled to be released in 2009.
Upon completion of Night of the Templar, Paul looks forward to returning to solely acting for the remainder of 2009 (He needs a break J). He is already slated to act in three movies, one being the title role in the upcoming family feature, “Captain Invincible.”
Paul’s piercing blue eyes, charismatic good looks and raw intensity have inspired Lou Valentino, author of the Hollywood coffee table book, “Those Lips, Those Eyes” to describe Paul as “One of the most exciting new talents of his generation.”
Presently, Paul is single and divides his time between Los Angeles and New York City. He remains adamant concerning his self-improvement. In his limited spare time, Paul stays active taking classes both theatrically and scholastically, as well as in kickboxing and physical conditioning. Paul holds an MBA in Finance and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Actors Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the Writers Guild of America (WGA). He also has a library card.
Paul spends most of his downtime at home in his favorite room, the kitchen. Contrary to the palates of now ex-friends and neighbors, however, Paul still considers himself to be a gourmet cook.
(c) Paul Sampson '2009