Paul Wesley's Real Name: Paul Wesley
Paul Wesley → Paul Wesley
Quick answer: Paul Wesley's real name is Paul Wesley. He is an American actor, born July 23, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, later known for The Vampire Diaries.
Real name and early life
He is known professionally as Paul Wesley. Independent publishers used here do not agree on a single longer birth-name form, so the public name is used in the title. TV Guide lists the birth name as Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski and the birthplace as New Brunswick, New Jersey. TV Insider lists the birth name as Paul Thomas Wasilewski, independently gives the same birthplace, and dates the birth to July 23, 1982. This page records both name wordings rather than choosing one. TV Guide, in a quoted comment, says his birth name, Wasilewski, was too hard to pronounce, and that he asked his family's permission to change it. TV Guide also says he briefly attended Rutgers University in his native New Jersey, but left after one semester to pursue acting, and that he speaks Polish fluently.
Career highlights
TV Guide says he appeared on series including Army Wives and The Guiding Light before landing his breakout role on the CW's The Vampire Diaries in 2009, and that he was nominated for a Young Star Award in 2000 for his work on The Guiding Light. TV Insider independently says he got his start on a daytime soap opera while still in high school, then appeared in primetime series including Wolf Lake (CBS, 2001–02), Everwood (The WB, 2002–06), and the miniseries Fallen (ABC Family, 2006–07). TV Insider lists his Vampire Diaries role as Stefan Salvatore, dating that credit to 2009, and later credits include Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. TV Guide does not name the Vampire Diaries character in the profile used here.
TV Guide says he was married to actress and co-star Torrey DeVitto from 2011 to 2013. TV Insider independently says he met DeVitto on the set of the 2008 film Killer Movie.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Paul Wesley, Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski, or Paul Thomas Wasilewski are looking for the same American actor. This page records both publishers' birth-name wordings.
FAQ
What is Paul Wesley's real name?
He is known as Paul Wesley. TV Guide gives the birth name Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski; TV Insider gives Paul Thomas Wasilewski.
When and where was he born?
TV Insider dates the birth to July 23, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. TV Guide independently gives that birthplace but does not give a full date.
What was his breakout series?
The Vampire Diaries, which TV Guide dates to 2009. TV Insider lists the role as Stefan Salvatore.
Did he change his name?
TV Guide quotes him saying he asked his family's permission to change the surname Wasilewski because it was too hard to pronounce.