Paul Wesley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Wesley
Wesley in 2024
Born	Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski (1982-07-23) July 23, 1982 (age 43) New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names	Paul Wasilewski
Occupation	Actor film director
Years active	1999–present
Works	Filmography
Spouse(s)	Torrey DeVitto ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2013)​ Ines de Ramon ​ ​ (m. 2019; div. 2024)​

Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski (born July 23, 1982), known as Paul Wesley, is an American actor and director. He is famous for playing Stefan Salvatore in the TV show The Vampire Diaries. He also plays James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

In 2003, Paul also appeared as Lucas Luthor, Lex Luthor's younger brother, in the superhero series Smallville.

Paul Wesley's Early Life

Paul Wesley was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents, Agnieszka and Tomasz Wasilewski, are from Poland. He grew up in Marlboro Township, New Jersey. Paul has an older sister, Monika, and two younger sisters, Leah and Julia. He speaks both English and Polish. He spent four months each year in Poland until he was 16.

Wesley went to Christian Brothers Academy. He also attended Marlboro High School. He started studying acting in New York City. Later, he moved to Lakewood Prep School. This school helped him manage his acting schedule better. During high school, he got a role in the soap opera Guiding Light. He played the character Max Nickerson.

He started college at Rutgers University in New Jersey. However, he left after one semester. He was offered more acting roles. He realized he could have a full career in acting.

Paul Wesley's Acting Career

Early Roles and Fallen

In 2001, Paul Wesley was known as Paul Wasilewski. He was a main actor in the TV series Wolf Lake. He played Luke Cates in this show. In 2008, he was in the TV movie The Russell Girl. He also had the main role in the 2007 miniseries Fallen.

Wesley has appeared in many TV shows. These include 24, 8 Simple Rules, and American Dreams. He was also in Army Wives, Cane, and Everwood. Other shows include Guiding Light, Smallville, and The O.C..

The Vampire Diaries and Film Work

Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con in 2011

Paul Wesley starred as Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries. This teen drama series started in September 2009 on The CW. His acting earned him two Teen Choice Awards. He also won two Young Hollywood Awards. He was nominated for People's Choice Awards too.

Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015

Over the years, he has been in various films. In 2014, he acted in and produced Before I Disappear. This film won an award at the SXSW Film Festival. It also competed at the Venice Film Festival. That same year, he co-starred in Amira and Sam.

In 2014, he was cast in the film Mother's Day. It was also announced he would star in and produce a science fiction film called Convergence. He also appeared in The Baytown Outlaws.

In 2016, he was in the comedy The Late Bloomer. His other movie roles include HBO's Shot in the Heart. He was also in Lionsgate's Peaceful Warrior.

Directing and Star Trek

Wesley started directing episodes of The Vampire Diaries in its fifth season. He also became a producer for the show in season 8. He directed an episode of Shadowhunters for Freeform. In 2016, his company, Citizen Media, signed a deal with Warner Bros. Television. They planned to produce four new TV shows.

He has also acted in theater plays. He was a co-lead in Cal in Camo in New York City. He also co-starred in Sensitive Skin. In 2018, Wesley joined the play Zurich in New York City.

In 2018, Wesley joined the TV series Tell Me a Story. This show was created by Kevin Williamson. In 2019, his company, Citizen Media, made a deal with Kapital Entertainment. He has also directed episodes of Shadowhunters and Roswell, New Mexico. He starred in an episode of the Netflix series Medal of Honor. He played Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha.

On March 15, 2022, it was announced that Wesley would play James T. Kirk. This role is for the second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on Paramount+. He first appeared in the show's first season finale. On February 4, 2024, Wesley won a Saturn Award. He won for Best Guest Star in a Television Series for his role as Kirk.

Other Activities

In 2014, Wesley received the Humane Generation Award. This was for his work with the Humane Society. He specifically helped with farm animal welfare.

Wesley has also run two fundraising campaigns. These campaigns raised money for charity. For his first campaign, he sold a cat shirt design. The money went to The Humane Society of the United States. This campaign sold almost 3,000 shirts. For his second campaign, he worked with his The Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder. They sold a special shirt with "Blood Brothers Since 1864" on it. This campaign sold almost 10,000 shirts.

In 2020, Wesley and Somerhalder launched their own bourbon whiskey. It is called Brother's Bond Bourbon.

Paul Wesley's Personal Life

Wesley and Torrey DeVitto at Wizard World Toronto in 2012

Wesley met actress Torrey DeVitto in 2007. They were working together on the movie Killer Movie. They started dating and got married in April 2011. The wedding was a private ceremony in New York City. In July 2013, they filed for divorce. Their divorce was finalized in December 2013.

While filming The Vampire Diaries, Wesley lived in Atlanta, Georgia. The rest of the time, he lived with DeVitto in Los Angeles, California. He sold his Los Angeles home after their divorce.

Wesley was in a four-year relationship with Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin. She was also a co-star on The Vampire Diaries. They broke up in 2017.

In February 2019, Wesley married Ines de Ramon. They separated in 2022. Their divorce was finalized in February 2024.

In July 2025, Wesley announced his engagement to model Natalie Kuckenburg.

Wesley is an ethical vegan. He supports animal rights.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Paul Wesley para niños