Aaron Paul

Overview

Born
August 27, 1979 · Emmett, Idaho, USA
Birth name
Aaron Paul Sturtevant
Height
5′ 8″ (1.73 m)

Biography

Family

Spouse
Children
Parents

Trademarks

Frequently cast as profane, rebellious characters

Trivia

Auditioned for the role of Francis, the oldest son, on Malcolm in the Middle (2000) which starred his future Breaking Bad (2008) costar Bryan Cranston.
Vince Gilligan knew he wanted Aaron for the part, but he needed to convince the AMC executives that Aaron was not too attractive for the role of "Jesse Pinkman" before he was cast on the hit show Breaking Bad (2008).
Was born a month premature on the bathroom floor while his father was out of town and his mother was home alone.
As of 2014, he's the only actor to win 3 Emmys in the "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" category.
The Goonies (1985) is the movie that most inspired Aaron Paul to leave Idaho and become an actor.

Quotes

[on filming Breaking Bad (2008) in Albuquerque] I actually hated it during the pilot. I loved working, obviously. But I would just go to work and then go back to the hotel and I couldn't find much to do. But when we started shooting the series I fell in love with the city. I'm from Boise, Idaho and it reminds me of a bigger version of that place. It's just nice to get away from the hustle of Los Angeles and the skies are endless out there. It's like a beautiful painting every day.
There've been some big studio films that have come my way that I just didn't think were the right direction for me to go in. I really believe that if you want some sort of longevity in this business, it's all about picking the right roles. Finally, this is the first time in my career I'm able to work [based on] the roles, and not to survive, so I'm just trying to be picky. I just want the right project. I'd rather not work than work on something that I'm not so unbelievably excited about. Maybe that's the wrong choice, but I don't really care, to be honest. I just want to do something, even if it's just a small little indie, that really makes me excited, that's very story-driven, character-driven and doesn't need those big explosions or car chases. (2010 - On his career)
The Last House on the Left (2009). I originally passed on it because I was like, "Why are they remaking that movie?! I hadn't even read the script but then, out of the blue, the casting director called me and then the producer, whom I'd never met, called me on my cell and said, "You just need to watch this director's last film, Hardcore (2004)". They sent it over to me and I watched it that night. Ten minutes into it, I completely saw a whole new vision of what I thought "Last House" could be with this director's vision in mind. And his film is brilliant and he's a brilliant director, so I'm every happy that I ultimately made that decision. I'm so, so proud of that film. It's a very artistic, fun, crazy, dark film [on taking the role in The Last House on the Left (2009)].
This business can be very dangerous to young kids coming out here with the dream. Fame changes people. How can it not? It's almost impossible not to. But I'm thirty years old and have a grasp of who I am, but when you're seventeen you think you know everything, but you truly are an infant, still very much learning. [2010 quote on fame]
Thank you, Hollywood, for allowing me to be part of your group.