Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal is an Irish actor known for his breakout television role and critically acclaimed film performances. Born in Maynooth, Ireland, Mescal grew up playing Gaelic football before turning his focus to acting as a teenager. Mescal attended Maynooth Post Primary School and later studied drama at Trinity College Dublin, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in acting in 2017.

After college, Mescal worked in Irish theater before landing his breakout role as Connell Waldron in the BBC and Hulu series Normal People in 2020. The adaptation of the Sally Rooney novel became a cultural phenomenon and earned Mescal widespread recognition. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination and a BAFTA TV Award, quickly establishing him as a rising international star.

Mescal transitioned to film with roles in The Lost Daughter (2021) and God’s Creatures (2022) before earning critical acclaim for his lead performance in Aftersun (2022), which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He later appeared in films like All of Us Strangers (2023), Foe (2023), Gladiator II (2024) and Hamnet (2025). He has also continued stage work, including a high-profile run in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Mescal previously dated singer Phoebe Bridgers, with the pair making occasional public appearances before splitting in 2023. He moved on with singer Gracie Abrams the following year.