Adrian Paul


Actor

About

Also Known As
Adrian Paul Hewett
Birth Place
London, England, GB
Born
May 29, 1959

Biography

A heroic leading man who has vaulted to international stardom as the star of the syndicated TV series "The Highlander" (1992-98), the darkly handsome Adrian Paul has been able to use his background as a dancer and choreographer in the role of Duncan MacLeod, a 16th Century Scottish warrior battling evil in the modern world. A native of London, Paul played semi-pro soccer and modeled thro...

Family & Companions

Meilani Paul
Wife
Actor, model. Appeared as "Uh-Huh Girl" in Ray Charles' TV commercial for Diet Pepsi; married in 1990; divorced in 1997.

Biography

A heroic leading man who has vaulted to international stardom as the star of the syndicated TV series "The Highlander" (1992-98), the darkly handsome Adrian Paul has been able to use his background as a dancer and choreographer in the role of Duncan MacLeod, a 16th Century Scottish warrior battling evil in the modern world. A native of London, Paul played semi-pro soccer and modeled throughout Europe before returning to native city where he worked as a choreographer and dancer for six years. Aptly, his first real notice came when he was cast as a dancer/actor in the London musical "The Break." Following the success of the show, Paul decided to head to Hollywood, where from 1986-1987 he played Nikolai 'Kolya' Rostov, a temperamental Russian dancer on the "Dynasty" spin-off "The Colbys" (ABC). Despite the specific nature of the role, he avoided typecasting. In 1988, he played a photographer in Vietnam in "Shooter" (NBC). Paul moved into the realm of action hero playing John Kincaid, a former soldier battling aliens, on the syndicated series "War of the Worlds" (1989-1990). After playing the interviewer of Santa Claus in the frothy "In the Nick of Time" (NBC, 1991), he lent his romantic presence to the period primetime remake of the cult soap opera "Dark Shadows" (NBC, 1991). In some ways, that role was a warm-up for what has become his signature portrayal, "The Highlander."

Feature film roles have not been as star-making. Paul had small roles in the Tom Berenger vehicle "Last Rites"(1988), and the French "La Nuit au serail" (1989), and continued in supporting roles in such forgettable fare as "Graveyard Story" (1990), and "Love Potion No. 9" (1992). In 1989, he had a rare lead in Roger Corman-produced remake of "The Masque of the Red Death."

Life Events

1986

Played a Russian dancer on "The Colbys" (ABC)

1987

Made stage acting debut in "Bouncers"

1988

Made TV-movie debut in "Shooter" (NBC)

1988

Made feature film debut in "Last Rites"

1989

Co-starred in French film "La Nuit au serail"

1991

Appeared as Jeremiah Collins in several episodes of NBC's "Dark Shadows"

1992

Starred as "The Highlander"

1996

Began directing episodes of "The Highlander"

1997

Starred in feature "Dead Men Can't Dance"

2000

Reprised signature role of Duncan MacLeod in the feature film "Highlander: Endgame"

2001

Cast as a vampire cop who teams with a human detective to solve a murder in "The Breed"; aired on Starz! in lieu of a theatrical release

2001

Executive produced and starred in the syndicated series "Tracker"

2005

Appeared as Gavin Matheson in "Throttle"

2007

Reprised Highlander role in TV movie "Highlander: The Source"

2014

Appeared as Matt Robinson in "Black Rose"

2015

Cast in "Kids vs Monsters"

2016

Appeared as Roizman in "The Secrets of Emily Blair"

2017

Played Gunnar in "The Prey"

Companions

Meilani Paul
Wife
Actor, model. Appeared as "Uh-Huh Girl" in Ray Charles' TV commercial for Diet Pepsi; married in 1990; divorced in 1997.

Bibliography