Paul W. S. Anderson's Real Name: Paul W. S. Anderson
Paul W. S. Anderson → Paul W. S. Anderson
Quick answer: The filmmaker is known professionally as Paul W. S. Anderson. The Science Fiction Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia.com independently place his birth in 1965. Encyclopedia.com gives the fuller name Paul William Scott Anderson, dates the birth to March 4, 1965, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, and notes that some sources cite 1966. This page titles him under the public professional name.
Real name and early life
Independent publishers identify him under the professional name Paul W. S. Anderson. Encyclopedia.com gives the fuller name Paul William Scott Anderson and says he was born March 4, 1965, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, while noting that some sources cite 1966. It also records a University of Warwick degree in film and literature studies in 1986, an M.B.A. in 1988, and the 1992 founding, with Jeremy Bolt, of Impact Pictures in London. The Science Fiction Encyclopedia independently heads its entry with the year 1965 and identifies him as an English film-maker who has worked primarily for Hollywood. The same SFE account says earlier films were credited simply to Paul Anderson and that after Soldier he asked to be credited as Paul W. S. Anderson to avoid confusion with the filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
Career highlights
Encyclopedia.com lists early directing credits, as Paul Anderson, on Shopping (1994), Mortal Kombat (1995), Event Horizon (1997), and Soldier (1998), later work on Resident Evil (2002) and AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004), and a Pegasus Audience Award in 1998 for Event Horizon. The Science Fiction Encyclopedia independently records the UK-made debut Shopping (1994), then Mortal Kombat (1995), Event Horizon (1997), Soldier (1998), the television film The Sight (2000), Resident Evil (2002), later franchise entries including Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010), AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004), The Three Musketeers (2011), and the remake Death Race (2008). Encyclopedia.com lists a later project under the title Deathrace 3000, dated 2006.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Paul W. S. Anderson, Paul WS Anderson, or Paul William Scott Anderson are looking for the same filmmaker, including the Resident Evil and Event Horizon work most often associated with his name. This page uses the public professional name.
FAQ
What is Paul W. S. Anderson's real name?
He is known professionally as Paul W. S. Anderson. Encyclopedia.com gives the fuller name Paul William Scott Anderson. The Science Fiction Encyclopedia says he asked to be credited as Paul W. S. Anderson after Soldier.
When and where was he born?
In 1965, according to the Science Fiction Encyclopedia and Encyclopedia.com. Encyclopedia.com dates the birth to March 4, 1965, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, and notes that some sources cite 1966.
Which early films are most often cited?
Shopping, Mortal Kombat, Event Horizon, and Soldier, according to Encyclopedia.com and the Science Fiction Encyclopedia.
Which later franchise work is recorded here?
Resident Evil, beginning with the 2002 film, according to both sources, with the Science Fiction Encyclopedia also recording later entries including Resident Evil: Afterlife.


