Connor Paolo
Encyclopedia
Connor Paolo is an American
actor
best known of his role as Eric van der Woodsen
in The CW
young-adult series Gossip Girl
since 2007-2011.He became part of the two Oliver Stone
films, World Trade Center
and Alexander
where he bagged his biggest break in Hollywood.
He is currently playing Declan Porter in the ABC's original series Revenge
.
, New York
; his mother is a musician, and his father is a writer. Paolo attended the Professional Performing Arts School
alongside Andrea Bowen
, Paul Iacono
and Taylor Momsen
. He took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
.
For several summers, Paolo attended Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Summer Arts Camp located in Elmer, New Jersey
. He attended New York University for one semester in Fall 2008.
He is of Italian and German descent.
. He made his motion picture debut in Clint Eastwood
's Oscar-nominated Mystic River
, playing Young Sean. In 2004, Paolo was on One Life to Live as Travis O'Connell, a recurring character. Paolo also made a return appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a disturbed teenager based on the real case of Justin Berry
. Other films include World Trade Center
for Oliver Stone in 2006; Snow Angels
, directed by David Gordon Green
; and Favorite Son, his first leading role.
Paolo has a background in theatre
, and commercials. He has appeared on the Broadway
stage in the hit musical The Full Monty
and off-Broadway
in the New York public theater production of Shakespeare's Richard III
. He played Bottom in an abridged production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
From 2007 to 2011, Paolo has had a supporting role as Eric van der Woodsen
on The CW
series Gossip Girl
, where he played the brother of lead Blake Lively
's character. His last appearance was in the fourth season
.
In 2009, he starred in the vampire apocalypse film Stake Land
directed by Jim Mickle.
In April 2011, Paolo was chosen by ABC
to join the cast of the dramatic series Revenge
starring Emily Vancamp
. In August 2011, Paolo stated that he will be taking on the new series Revenge full time and his character Eric van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl will go off to college and stay there.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
best known of his role as Eric van der Woodsen
Eric van der Woodsen
Eric van der Woodsen is a fictional character from the book series Gossip Girl and the television series of the same name. The television character is portrayed by Connor Paolo.-Novel series:...
in The CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
young-adult series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
since 2007-2011.He became part of the two Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
William Oliver Stone is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Stone became well known in the late 1980s and the early 1990s for directing a series of films about the Vietnam War, for which he had previously participated as an infantry soldier. His work frequently focuses on...
films, World Trade Center
World Trade Center (film)
World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006...
and Alexander
Alexander (film)
Alexander is a 2004 epic film based on the life of Alexander the Great. It is not a remake of the 1956 film which starred Richard Burton. It was directed by Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell in the title role...
where he bagged his biggest break in Hollywood.
He is currently playing Declan Porter in the ABC's original series Revenge
Revenge (TV series)
Revenge is an American television drama inspired by the Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo starring Madeleine Stowe and Emily VanCamp. It debuted on ABC on September 21, 2011, and currently airs on Wednesday nights at 10:00 pm Eastern/9:00 pm Central...
.
Life and education
Paolo was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; his mother is a musician, and his father is a writer. Paolo attended the Professional Performing Arts School
Professional Performing Arts School
The Professional Performing Arts School or PPAS is a New York City public school.-History:The Professional Performing Arts School was created in 1990 to meet the needs of two groups of students: those who wanted to pursue professional work in the arts as they earned a junior/senior high school...
alongside Andrea Bowen
Andrea Bowen
Andrea Lauren Bowen is an American actress who is best known for playing Julie Mayer on Desperate Housewives . She has won two SAG Awards.-Biography:...
, Paul Iacono
Paul Iacono
Paul Stanley Iacono is an American actor. He appeared in the 2009 remake of Fame and was also the star of the show The Hard Times of RJ Berger on MTV.-Early life:...
and Taylor Momsen
Taylor Momsen
Taylor Michel Momsen is an American actress, musician and model who portrays the character of Jenny Humphrey on the CW television series Gossip Girl and portrayed the role of Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and fronts the rock band The Pretty Reckless.-Early life and career:Taylor...
. He took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
__notoc__The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute is an acting school located at 115 East 15th Street between Union Square East and Irving Place in the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, as well as at 7936 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California...
.
For several summers, Paolo attended Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, located near Elmer, in Salem County, New Jersey, USA, is a multifaceted nonprofit regional arts center founded by musicians and arts educators Albert and Clare Rostan Appel...
Summer Arts Camp located in Elmer, New Jersey
Elmer, New Jersey
Elmer is a Borough in Salem County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 1,395, making it the 520th largest city in New Jersey....
. He attended New York University for one semester in Fall 2008.
He is of Italian and German descent.
Career
He played a preteen murderer-rapist in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
. He made his motion picture debut in Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
's Oscar-nominated Mystic River
Mystic River (film)
Mystic River is a 2003 American drama film directed, co-produced and scored by Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. The film was written by Brian Helgeland, based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same...
, playing Young Sean. In 2004, Paolo was on One Life to Live as Travis O'Connell, a recurring character. Paolo also made a return appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a disturbed teenager based on the real case of Justin Berry
Justin Berry
Justin Berry is an American who beginning at age 13, operated pornographic websites featuring himself and other teen males. In 2005, at the age of 18, he cooperated in a The New York Times feature article. Before publication, Berry was granted immunity in exchange for his help in prosecuting...
. Other films include World Trade Center
World Trade Center (film)
World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006...
for Oliver Stone in 2006; Snow Angels
Snow Angels (film)
Snow Angels is a 2007 drama film starring Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale. It was directed by David Gordon Green, who also wrote the screenplay adapted from Stewart O'Nan's 1994 novel of the same title. The film premiered in the dramatic competition at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival...
, directed by David Gordon Green
David Gordon Green
David Gordon Green is an American filmmaker. He has directed dramas such as George Washington, All the Real Girls, and Snow Angels, as well as the thriller Undertow, all of which he wrote or co-wrote...
; and Favorite Son, his first leading role.
Paolo has a background in theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
, and commercials. He has appeared on the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
stage in the hit musical The Full Monty
The Full Monty
The Full Monty is a 1997 British comedy film directed by Peter Cattaneo, starring Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, William Snape, Steve Huison, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber, and Hugo Speer. The screenplay was written by Simon Beaufoy...
and off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
in the New York public theater production of Shakespeare's Richard III
Richard III (play)
Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. The play is grouped among the histories in the First Folio and is most often classified...
. He played Bottom in an abridged production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
From 2007 to 2011, Paolo has had a supporting role as Eric van der Woodsen
Eric van der Woodsen
Eric van der Woodsen is a fictional character from the book series Gossip Girl and the television series of the same name. The television character is portrayed by Connor Paolo.-Novel series:...
on The CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
, where he played the brother of lead Blake Lively
Blake Lively
Blake Christina Lively is an American actress and model who stars as Serena van der Woodsen in the television teen drama series Gossip Girl...
's character. His last appearance was in the fourth season
Gossip Girl (season 4)
The fourth season of Gossip Girl, an American teen drama based upon the book series by Cecily von Ziegesar. Developed for television by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The CW officially renewed the series for a full fourth season on February 16, 2010...
.
In 2009, he starred in the vampire apocalypse film Stake Land
Stake Land
Stake Land is a 2010 American post-apocalyptic film directed by Jim Mickle. The plot depicts an orphaned young man being taken under the wing of a vampire hunter known as "Mister".-Cast:*Connor Paolo as Martin*Nick Damici as Mister...
directed by Jim Mickle.
In April 2011, Paolo was chosen by ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
to join the cast of the dramatic series Revenge
Revenge (TV series)
Revenge is an American television drama inspired by the Alexandre Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo starring Madeleine Stowe and Emily VanCamp. It debuted on ABC on September 21, 2011, and currently airs on Wednesday nights at 10:00 pm Eastern/9:00 pm Central...
starring Emily Vancamp
Emily VanCamp
Emily Irene VanCamp is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her roles on the WB series Everwood as Amy Abbott and on the ABC series Brothers & Sisters as Rebecca Harper...
. In August 2011, Paolo stated that he will be taking on the new series Revenge full time and his character Eric van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl will go off to college and stay there.
Filmography
- (2002): Law & Order Special Victims Unit as Zachary Connor (Ep. "Juvenile")
- (2003): Mystic RiverMystic River (film)Mystic River is a 2003 American drama film directed, co-produced and scored by Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney and Emmy Rossum. The film was written by Brian Helgeland, based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same...
as Young Sean Devine - (2004): One Life to LiveOne Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
as Travis O'Connell - (2004): AlexanderAlexander (film)Alexander is a 2004 epic film based on the life of Alexander the Great. It is not a remake of the 1956 film which starred Richard Burton. It was directed by Oliver Stone, with Colin Farrell in the title role...
as Young Alexander - (2006): BullyBully (film)Bully is a 2001 independent American drama film, based on actual events, starring Brad Renfro, Bijou Phillips, Rachel Miner, Michael Pitt, Leo Fitzpatrick and Nick Stahl. The story concerns the plot to murder a mutual friend of several young adults in Southern Florida, in revenge for his continual...
as Tom - (2006): World Trade CenterWorld Trade Center (film)World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006...
as Steven McLoughlin - (2006): Favorite Son as Ross
- (2006): Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
as Teddy Winnock (Ep. "Web") - (2007): Snow AngelSnow Angels (film)Snow Angels is a 2007 drama film starring Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale. It was directed by David Gordon Green, who also wrote the screenplay adapted from Stewart O'Nan's 1994 novel of the same title. The film premiered in the dramatic competition at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival...
as Warren Hardesky - (2007—2011): Gossip GirlGossip GirlGossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
as Eric van der WoodsenEric van der WoodsenEric van der Woodsen is a fictional character from the book series Gossip Girl and the television series of the same name. The television character is portrayed by Connor Paolo.-Novel series:... - (2009): The Winning SeasonThe Winning SeasonThe Winning Season is a 2010 sport comedy film written and directed by James C. Strouse, starring Sam Rockwell. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and had a limited theatrical release on September 3, 2010....
as Damon - (2010): Stake LandStake LandStake Land is a 2010 American post-apocalyptic film directed by Jim Mickle. The plot depicts an orphaned young man being taken under the wing of a vampire hunter known as "Mister".-Cast:*Connor Paolo as Martin*Nick Damici as Mister...
as Martin - (2010): Camp Hell as Jack
- (2010): MercyMercy (TV series)Mercy is a medical drama which aired on NBC from September 23, 2009 to May 12, 2010. The series initially aired on Wednesday nights at 8/7c, as part of the 2009 fall season, but was pushed back to 9/8c in April....
as Everett Cone (Ep. "I Did Kill You, Didn't I?") - (2011): Ten YearTen YearTen Year is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Jamie Linden as his directorial debut.-Premise:A group of friends reunite at their high school reunion, each with their own unbelievable revelation story since they separated. Marty and Jake are best friends and promise to remain in contact, even...
as Ricky/Rick - (2011—): Revenge as Declan Porter
Awards and nominations
| Nominated | Young Artist Award Young Artist Award The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist... |
Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor for World Trade Center World Trade Center (film) World Trade Center is a 2006 American disaster-drama film directed by Oliver Stone and based on the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Shannon. The film was shot from October 19, 2005 - February 10, 2006... |