Paul's early life was influenced by his neighbors, including Actor/Martial Artist Bruce Lee, who inspired him to act, ride motorcycles, and horses. Growing up on Elm Street in Alhambra, California, Paul was surrounded by a predominantly Chicano neighborhood that attracted the 1960s avant-garde crowd. His neighbors included Motorcyclist Bill Laidlaw, who would bring over different motorcycles every weekend, and Ben Rizzio, who had horses in a field and was friends with many Cowboys and Actors.
At Emery Park Elementary School, Paul was Student Body President, a City Football All-Star, and often picked to be in plays and presentations. As a teenager, he rode his horse across the set of the TV show "The Incredible Hulk" and was encouraged by the producers and director to pursue acting, utilizing his great horsemanship abilities.
Paul met Guest Star L.Q. Jones, who suggested he get into acting by starting to do all the theater he could. L.Q. also shared stories of filming in Durango and Chihuahua, Mexico, which inspired Paul to travel and follow the paths of his Apache ancestors and "Pancho Villa".
He was hired to help keep locals safely away from Lou Ferrigno between takes, but his parents persuaded him to return to his studies. Though he didn't know it at the time, the business continued to pursue Paul.
As a junior college engineering student, Paul worked for a summer as a draftsman, unknowingly for Robert Redford's brother-in-law Gary Van Wagenen. As a Santa Fe Railroad Surveyor and Engineering Inspector, Paul was called upon to protect several production companies filming on or around railroad property and was again approached and advised by various producers and directors to consider acting.
Paul's late girlfriend, Marjorie Volk Saccio, a Nurse and Mariachi Violinist, encouraged him to act. Finally recognizing the message behind all these "coincidences" and taking heed, Paul started acting in his early thirties.
Paul's first film, "Por Vida" (USC),screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and his second film, "Pancho Villa" (LMU),was co-directed by Matthew Van Wagenen, Dave Meyers, and David King.
Paul wrote to the CEOs of all the American beer companies about Chicanos being the largest group of beer drinkers that he had seen, yet were invisible in their advertising. Miller Lite responded by casting Paul in 8 "Men of the Square Table" Man Laws National Commercials, directed by Peter Farelly. Paul also wrote to The Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Chevy, who cast him as well.
Though often assumed by many to be a street hoodlum while growing up, Paul was a straight "A" student who only played that role when necessary, as he was too busy studying, riding horses and motorcycles, and dreaming. Paul contributes to various charities and participates in many motorcycle charity events and children's toy runs.
In 2013 and 2014, Paul took a sabbatical from Hollywood to travel to North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, and Texas on a great journey, researching and working on unique railroad construction projects as a Construction Project Engineer for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Paul built up his railroad pension and has since retired after 36 years with the BNSF/Santa Fe Railroad.
On October 16, 2014, Paul was sworn in as the first ever State of California Railroad Bridge Inspector and Investigator. Along with acting and horses, Paul has a lifelong passion for railroading, much like a cowboy riding fence and going back 100 years in time!
In 2024, Paul most recently appeared in film as District Attorney Murdock in "Those Who Inherit the Earth", 2024 Winner~Best Feature, Golden State Film Festival & 2024 Winner ~Best Thriller Feature~Indie Vegas Film Festival.
Paul continues to seek creative outlets by taking Imrov, Painting & Writing classes.
