Jay Paulson has been working consistently since his teenage years. Recently, he has made notable appearances as Chaplain Tappmann in the Golden Globe-nominated film Catch-22, alongside George Clooney, and as Detective Andy Ohls in the Patty Jenkins-directed I Am the Night, starring Chris Pine. Fans of AMC's Mad Men may remember his portrayal of Adam Whitman, the brother of Don Draper.
Paulson has also appeared in various film roles, including supporting parts in studio pictures such as GO, Can't Hardly Wait, and The Marc Pease Experience, as well as leading roles in independent features like Rust Creek, Black Rock, and Lucky Bastard.
His journey in the entertainment industry began in the ninth grade at Harvard-Westlake, where he landed the lead role in the school play, catching the acting bug and participating in every subsequent production. At the age of 16, a talent manager discovered him, and he quickly found himself working constantly.
Paulson was accepted into the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, allowing him to balance his acting career with earning a degree. He is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, where he trained under the guidance of Martin Landau and Allan Miller.
Born Joseph Andrew Hughes Paulson in New York City, he was named after his grandfather and was affectionately known as Jay from a young age. His family relocated to Brooklyn, where he spent his childhood before his father moved the family to the west coast. Today, Paulson resides in Venice Beach, California with his wife, two sons, and their dog.
In his free time, he enjoys poetry, distance running, and engaging in discussions about Marshall McLuhan with anyone who will listen.
