Paul Benjamin Mendelsohn was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Carole Ann (Ferguson),a nurse, and Frederick Arthur Oscar Mendelsohn, a medical researcher. He began his acting career in television, appearing in shows such as The Henderson Kids and the long-running soap opera Neighbours.
Mendelsohn's breakthrough role came in the 1987 film The Year My Voice Broke, for which he won the best supporting actor award from the Australian Film Institute. He went on to become one of the most popular teen/young adult stars in Australia, often rivaling other emerging talents of his generation, including Russell Crowe, Noah Taylor, and Guy Pearce.
Mendelsohn was known for his roles in troubled, angry young men, thanks to his performances in Idiot Box, Metal Skin, and Nirvana Street Murder. He also proved his ability to play romantic leads in comedies such as The Big Steal, Cosi, and Amy.
In the 1990s, Mendelsohn appeared in only one "Hollywood" film, the action film Vertical Limit, before returning to Australia, where he primarily worked in theater and television. Despite earning best actor nominations from the Australian Film Institute and Australian Film Critics Circle for the drama Mullet, he struggled to find consistent work.
Mendelsohn's career experienced a resurgence in the 2000s, with roles in films such as The New World, Knowing, and Australia. He also appeared in the independent Australian films Beautiful Kate and Animal Kingdom, for which he won several awards.
Since 2010, Mendelsohn has become a major player in Hollywood, appearing in blockbuster films such as The Dark Knight Rises and critically acclaimed films such as Killing Them Softly and The Place Beyond the Pines. He has also appeared in the UK film Starred Up and the Netflix series Bloodline.
In 2016, Mendelsohn's career took another leap forward, appearing as the main villain in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and winning the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. He has since appeared in films such as Mississippi Grind and Ready Player One.
