Paul Wesley

Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski (Polish: ['pavɛw vaɕi'lɛfskʲi]; July 23, 1982),[1] known professionally as Paul Wesley, is an American actor, director and producer.[2] He is known for starring as Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017) and James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022–present).[3]

Paul Wesley
Wesley in 2021
Born
Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski

(1982-07-23) July 23, 1982
New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesPaul Wasilewski
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active1999–present
Notable work
Spouses
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2013)​
    Ines de Ramon
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2019; sep. 2022)​

    Early life

    Paul Wesley was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Polish parents Tomasz and Agnieszka Wasilewski. He grew up in Marlboro Township, New Jersey. He has one elder sister, Monika Emara (née Wasilewski), and two younger sisters, Leah and Julia.[4]

    In addition to English, he also speaks Polish, having spent four months of every year in Poland until the age of 16.[5] Wesley attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, and Marlboro High School for a period during his high school years. He started his theater studies in New York City and transferred from Marlboro High School to Lakewood Prep School in Howell, New Jersey, because the school was able to better accommodate his acting schedule. During his junior year in high school, he was cast in the soap opera Guiding Light as character Max Nickerson.[4][6]

    He started college at Rutgers University in New Jersey but left after one semester when more roles were offered to him, and he realized he could make a career out of acting.[4][7]

    Career

    2001–2008: Early acting roles and Fallen

    In 2001, Wesley, then credited as Paul Wasilewski, was one of the main cast members of the short-lived CBS television series Wolf Lake, playing the role of Luke Cates.[8][9] He appeared in the 2008 CBS television film The Russell Girl,[10] and had the lead role in the 2007 ABC Family miniseries Fallen.[11] Wesley has had a number of roles in television shows such as 24, 8 Simple Rules, American Dreams, Army Wives, Cane, Everwood, Guiding Light, Smallville, and The O.C..

    2009–2017: The Vampire Diaries and film roles
    Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011

    Wesley starred as Stefan Salvatore in the hit teen drama television series The Vampire Diaries since its premiere in September 2009 on The CW. In the series, he played a younger brother to Damon Salvatore as well as the love interest of a 17-year-old girl named Elena Gilbert. His work garnered him two People's Choice Award nominations.

    Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015

    Throughout the years, he has appeared in a variety of films. In 2014, he co-starred in, as well as produced, Before I Disappear, which went on to win the SXSW Film Festival Audience Award and compete at the Venice Film Festival's "Venice Days" section.[12] That same year he co-starred in Amira and Sam which was acquired by Drafthouse Films.[13]

    In 2014, he was cast in the film Mother's Day,[14] and it was also announced he was set to star in and produce a science fiction film called Convergence.[15] He also co-starred in The Baytown Outlaws.[16]

    In 2016, he co-starred in the comedy The Late Bloomer.[17] His other feature credits include HBO's Shot in the Heart directed by Agnieszka Holland and Lionsgate's Peaceful Warrior.

    2018–present: Directing, theatre roles, Tell Me a Story and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
    Wesley at GalaxyCon Raleigh in 2023

    Wesley began directing The Vampire Diaries in its fifth season and produced the series at the start of season 8.[18] He directed episode 16 in season 2 of Shadowhunters for Freeform. In November 2016, it was announced that under the label of his newly formed production company, Citizen Media, Wesley signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television to produce four new television shows, including Confessions of a Drug-Addicted High School Teacher, written by Jason Smith; Pecos, written by Shawn Christensen; Finding Natalie, written by Hilary Bettis and Shanghai Summer, written by Oanh Ly.[19]

    His theater work includes the co-lead in the well-received off-Broadway production Cal in Camo at the Rattlestick Theater in New York City.[20] He was also the co-lead in Sensitive Skin, written by Shem Bitterman.[21] In March 2018, Wesley joined the New York Theatre Workshop's production of Zurich in New York City.[22]

    In June 2018, it was reported that Wesley had joined the main cast of the CBS All Access TV series Tell Me a Story, which was created by Kevin Williamson.[23] In 2019, Wesley's production company, Citizen Media signed a development deal at Kapital Entertainment.[24] Other network television directing credits include Shadowhunters and Roswell, New Mexico. He also starred in the second episode of the Netflix miniseries Medal of Honor as Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha.

    On March 15, 2022, it was announced Wesley was cast as James T. Kirk for the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+.[3] He made his first appearance on the show as a guest star in the season one finale.[25]

    Other ventures

    In 2014, Wesley was given the Humane Generation Award for his work with the Humane Society, specifically farm animal welfare.[26]

    Additionally, Wesley has hosted two fundraising campaigns on Represent.com to raise funds for charity. For his first campaign, Wesley released a cat shirt design to raise funds for The Humane Society of the United States.[27][28] The campaign sold almost 3,000 units. For his second campaign, Wesley teamed up with The Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder to release a limited-edition shirt designed by a fan, with the words "Blood Brothers Since 1864."[29] This campaign sold almost 10,000 shirts.[30]

    In 2020, Wesley and his former The Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder announced the launch of a straight bourbon whiskey, Brother's Bond Bourbon.[31]

    Personal life
    Wesley and Torrey DeVitto at Wizard World Toronto in 2012

    Wesley met and began dating Torrey DeVitto in 2007 when they acted together in Killer Movie. They married in a private ceremony in New York City in April 2011.[32] In July 2013, it was reported that they had filed for divorce.[33] The divorce was finalized in December 2013.[34]

    Wesley lived in Atlanta, Georgia, while filming The Vampire Diaries and the rest of the time with DeVitto in Los Angeles, California.[35] He sold his Los Angeles residence after his divorce from DeVitto.

    In February 2019, Wesley married Ines de Ramon.[36] They separated in 2022.[37]

    Wesley has remained close friends with his former The Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder, and in 2020, they announced the launch of a straight bourbon whiskey named Brother's Bond Bourbon.[38]

    Wesley is an ethical vegan who advocates for animal rights.[39][40]

    Filmography
    Main article: Paul Wesley filmography

    Awards and nominations
    Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
    2010Young Hollywood AwardsCast To Watch (with Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev)The Vampire DiariesWon
    2010Teen Choice AwardsBreakout Star MaleThe Vampire DiariesWon
    Actor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesWon
    2011Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    Choice VampireThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2012Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2013Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2013People's Choice AwardsFavorite Dramatic TV ActorThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2014Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    TV VillainThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2014Young Hollywood AwardsBest Threesome (with Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev)The Vampire DiariesWon
    2014Northeast Film FestivalBest Supporting Actor in a FeatureBefore I DisappearNominated
    2015People's Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    2015Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    Choice TV: Liplock (with Candice Accola)The Vampire DiariesNominated
    2016Teen Choice AwardsActor Fantasy/Sci-FiThe Vampire DiariesNominated
    Choice TV: Liplock (with Candice King)The Vampire DiariesNominated

    References
    1. "Paul Wesley pronounces Full name in Polish". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011.
    2. "Paul Wesley's 31st Birthday — 'Vampire Diaries' Tribute To Stefan". Hollywood Life. October 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 11, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
    3. White, Peter (March 15, 2022). "'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Finds Its James T. Kirk With Paul Wesley". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
    4. Morton, Rebecca (September 10, 2009). "'Vampire Diaries' to give area native star turn". New Brunswick Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 24, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
    5. Lee, Luaine (January 27, 2010). "The 'good' vampire was a teenage bad boy". Chicago Tribune. McClatchy/Tribune News. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
    6. Talbot, Lindsay (October 12, 2009). "New Blood". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2009.
    7. "Getting to Know: Paul Wesley". Teen Magazine. Archived from the original on March 26, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
    8. Schneider, Michael (July 31, 2001). "Thesp jumps into CBS' 'Wolf Lake'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
    9. Speier, Michael (September 9, 2001). "Review: 'Wolf Lake'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
    10. Fries, Laura (January 24, 2008). "Review: 'The Russell Girl'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
    11. Fries, Laura (July 20, 2006). "Review: 'Fallen'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
    12. "'Before I Disappear' picked up for North American distribution". Variety. August 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
    13. "Paul Wesley makes 'Amira and Sam'". Deadline Hollywood. August 28, 2014. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
    14. "Wesley, Sarandon to star in 'Mother's Day'". Deadline Hollywood. September 25, 2014. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
    15. Yamato, Jen (November 17, 2014). "'Vampire Diaries' Star Paul Wesley Set For Sci-Fier 'Convergence'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 18, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
    16. Weinstein, Joshua L. (May 13, 2011). "Paul Wesley Joins Eva Longoria in 'The Baytown Disco'". TheWrap.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
    17. "Paul Wesley, Brittany Snow, Blake Cooper Join Comedy 'The Late Bloomer'". wrap.com. August 25, 2015. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
    18. "Paul Wesley Will Make His Directorial Debut On "The Vampire Diaries"". Buzzfeed.com. February 7, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
    19. Kroll, Justin (November 11, 2016). "Paul Wesley Inks Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV, Sets 4 Projects As Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
    20. "Review: In 'Cal in Camo,' a Raw Welcome to Motherhood". The New York Times. May 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
    21. "Sensative Skin". Backstage. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
    22. Clement, Olivia (March 15, 2018). "Hamilton's Austin Smith and Vampire Diaries' Paul Wesley to Star in Zürich". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
    23. Andreeva, Nellie (June 11, 2018). "Paul Wesley To Co-Star In CBS All Access Series 'Tell Me A Story', Reuniting With 'The Vampire Diaries' EP Kevin Williamson". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
    24. Andreeva, Nellie (February 13, 2019). "Paul Wesley Inks Producing Deal With Kapital Entertainment, Sets 2 Drama Series Projects, Including Starring Vehicle". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
    25. Parker, Ryan (July 7, 2022). "'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Actor Paul Wesley on Taking Up Captain Kirk Mantle in Surprise Finale Appearance and What's Next". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 9, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
    26. Burt, Kayti (April 1, 2014). "Paul Wesley Credits The Vampire Diaries at Humane Society Gala". Wet Paint. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
    27. "Paul Wesley Selling Cat Shirt for Humane Society". Bookfandoms.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
    28. "Paul Wesley Limited Edition Cat T-shirt". Represent.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
    29. "Vampire Diaries: Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley Launch Charity T-Shirt Campaign". People. July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
    30. Represent.com. "Ian Somerhalder & Paul Wesley's Official Tee". Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
    31. Bain, Ellissa (May 28, 2020). "Fans go crazy for Brothers Bond Bourbon – how to buy Damon and Stefan's Vampire Diaries inspired whiskey!". HITC. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
    32. "Vampire Diaries' Paul Wesley and actress Torrey DeVitto married!". Life & Style. April 29, 2011. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
    33. "Paul Wesley and Torrey DeVitto to Divorce". People.com. July 30, 2013. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
    34. "'Vampire Diaries' star Paul Wesley finalizes divorce". Toronto Sun. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    35. Suzuki, Chako (November 29, 2012). "Where Does Paul Wesley Live? You Ask, We Answer!". wetpaint.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
    36. Vulpo, Mike (February 8, 2019). "Surprise! The Vampire Diaries' Paul Wesley is Married". E!. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
    37. "Paul Wesley and Wife Ines de Ramon Quietly Separate After 3 Years of Marriage". people.com. September 19, 2022. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
    38. Bain, Ellissa (May 28, 2020). "Fans go crazy for Brothers Bond Bourbon – how to buy Damon and Stefan's Vampire Diaries inspired whiskey!". HITC. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
    39. "The Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley Is Vegan. Here’s What He Eats in a Day". thebeet.com. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
    40. "Paul Wesley – A Vegan Vampire Speaks Out". thesavemovement.org. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
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