Kildare native Paul Mescal's star is on the rise with the talented actor having received an Oscar nomination for best actor for his leading role in drama Aftersun.
The 26-year-old Maynooth man had a humble start in acting with a role in a famous Denny's ad, before he got his big break as Connell Waldron in the mega-hit screen adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People. Paul and co-star Daisy Ridley wowed Irish viewers with their turn as the iconic Connell and Mariann, and global audiences quickly took notice.
Now Paul has nabbed an Academy Award nomination for his latest leading role in Aftersun, much to the delight of his proud family and legion of fans. Here's everything you need to know about Paul Mescal - from his personal life with his loving family and his incredible rise to fame.
Read more: Paul Mescal's mum was 'folding the washing' during 'nerve-racking' Oscar announcement
Kildare upbringing and early acting career
Paul was born in Maynooth in 1996 to parents Paul and Dearbhla. The 26-year-old has a younger sister Nell who is a musician and who recently made her Late Late Show debut. Paul also has an older brother named Donnacha.
Paul went to secondary school at Maynooth Post Primary School, and he was also a talented GAA player who played for Kildare's minor and under-21 teams. However, he gave up the sport after picking up a jaw injury and he would go on to study acting at the famous The Lir Academy at Trinity College Dublin, graduating with Bachelor of Arts in Acting in 2017.
Rise to fame and Normal People success
One of Paul's first acting jobs was in an iconic Denny's ad. In the ad, Paul's character decides that he's going to travel the world after taking a bite of a Denny sausage.
Paul performed on stage for the first time at just 16-years-old when he starred in the musical The Phantom of the Opera. After earning his acting degree, the Maynooth man would later star as Jay Gatsby at the Gate Theatre.
Paul starred in his first television role in the hit BBC drama miniseries Normal People in 2020 during lockdown, wowing viewers for his role as the sensitive Connell alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones' Mariann. The show quickly got rave views and Paul's performance earned him much acclaim and the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor later that year.
Paul then followed up with roles in Irish drama The Deceived, short film Drifting which was screened at the 2020 Galway Film Fleadh. But it wasn't long before Hollywood came calling, and he starred alongside Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson in Hollywood drama The Lost Daughter.
Now the Kildare actor's latest role in drama Aftersun has garnered rave reviews from critics and fans alike with Paul in the running for the Best Actor award at the Oscars next month.
Family and relationships
Paul has a close relationship with his parents and two siblings. His mum revealed this week how she was folding the washing when her son was nominated for an Oscar, and the Mescal family celebrated the news over a video call.
Paul's mum Dearbhla told the Ray D'Arcy Show on RTE Radio One: "I presumed that people always knew before it got announced. Nobody knows. It’s crazy. Sick emojis going through the family WhatsApp."
Paul's sister, Nell also took to social media to share her delight for her brother. She said: "I'M SOBBING. How on earth did this happen? I am so proud it is making me sick."
In terms of romantic relationships, Paul was dating musician Phoebe Bridgers since 2020. The pair only went Instagram official last year and they spent their Christmas together in Maynooth.
However, there are unconfirmed rumours that the pair have recently split
Networth
According to the internet, Paul Mescal's estimated net worth is between $1 Million to $2 Million, which is around €1.01 million and €2.02 million.
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