Paul Weiland facts for kids

Paul Weiland OBE (born 11 July 1953) is an English director, writer, and producer for movies and television. He is well-known for directing over 500 TV commercials in the UK, including a very popular series for Walkers crisps.

He also directed episodes of British TV shows like Alas Smith and Jones (1989–1992) and Mr. Bean (1991–1992). His movies include Made of Honor (2008), Sixty Six (2006), and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994).

Early Life and Beginnings

Weiland grew up in the Southgate area of London, England. He went to De Bohun's school. When he was 17, he left school and worked as a messenger. Later, he became a copywriter, which means he wrote text for advertisements.

Paul Weiland's Career

Directing TV Commercials

Paul Weiland started his career by directing British television commercials. He has made more than 500 ads! His most successful ad campaign was for Walkers crisps. These commercials featured famous people like English football player Gary Lineker, boxer Lennox Lewis, and Victoria Beckham. The ads became extremely popular in Britain.

Weiland owns a company called The Paul Weiland Film Company. He became very successful from his work on TV commercials. In the 1990s, his company won the top British TV Awards prize for five years in a row.

Directing Mr. Bean

Between 1991 and 1992, Weiland directed several episodes of the funny TV series Mr. Bean. This show starred Rowan Atkinson as the main character. Many people found the series hilarious.

Directing Movies

Leonard Part 6 (1987)

In 1987, Weiland directed his first movie, Leonard Part 6. It was a comedy starring Bill Cosby as a secret agent. The movie was not very successful and received many negative reviews.

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994)

Weiland returned to directing movies in 1994 with City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold. This movie starred Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Jon Lovitz, and Jack Palance. It was a sequel to the popular 1991 movie City Slickers. In the film, Billy Crystal's character finds a treasure map and goes on an adventure to find gold in the Arizona desert.

Blackadder: Back & Forth (1999)

In 2001, Weiland worked with Rowan Atkinson again. He directed him in the British TV film, Blackadder: Back & Forth. This movie is a time-travel comedy. Atkinson's character, Lord Blackadder, travels in a time machine to different periods, like the Jurassic period and the Battle of Waterloo. Other famous actors like Miranda Richardson, Hugh Laurie, and Stephen Fry also appeared in the film. Weiland was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for directing this film.

Sixty Six (2006)

Weiland's 2006 movie Sixty Six is a comedy-drama based on his own life. It tells the story of his bar mitzvah, which happened on the same night that England won against West Germany in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final. Because of the football match, many guests canceled, and only a few people came to his party. The movie received mostly good reviews.

Made of Honor (2008)

Weiland directed the 2008 movie Made of Honor. This film was the last screen appearance for actor and director Sydney Pollack.

Awards and Recognition

Paul Weiland has won a BAFTA Award for his work on The Storyteller: The Three Ravens. He also received the President's Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Design & Art Directors Association. In 1983, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Short Film for directing Keep Off the Grass.

Family Life

Paul Weiland is married to Caroline Weiland. They have four children together, including their daughter Hannah Weiland.

Movies Directed by Paul Weiland

• Leonard Part 6 (1987)
• Bernard and the Genie (1991)
• City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994)
• Roseanna's Grave (1997)
• Blackadder: Back & Forth (1999, short film)
• Sixty Six (2006)
• Made of Honor (2008)