Talent: Paul Walter Hauser
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Stylist: Jack Manson at A-Frame Agency
Groomer: Gillian Whitlock
Assistant: Fabian Pourmand
Location: Los Angeles, California
Actor and comedian, Paul Walter Hauser, is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Paul began doing stand up comedy at 16, which helped to spark his passion for acting. He is best known for his roles in I, Tonya, Blackkklansman, Richard Jewell, and Cobra Kai. Paul most recently starred in crime/drama series, Black Bird. He co-stars with Taron Egerton, Greg Kinnear, and the late Ray Liotta. Paul is also set to star in season 5 of Cobra Kai, which is set to premiere on Netflix September 9th, 2022. Up next, Hauser will be seen in Delia’s Gone opposite Marisa Tomei and is also set to star in National Anthem alongside Sydney Sweeny, Halsey, Eric Dane, Zahn McClarnon, Simon Rex and others.
How did you originally get into acting?
I did theater as a kid, attempted stand-up comedy, screenwriting and sketch comedy as a young adult, and I plied those trades until I got my 1st big break on a show called Kingdom. That series was what helped me quit my day job and dive headfirst into acting.
Tell us about some of the transformations you had to make to prepare for your role of Larry Hall in Black Bird.
I dropped 40lbs, I decided on a distinct vocal choice for the character, I dyed my hair black, and I had a team of brilliant women who crafted my hair and makeup. The hair and makeup team, and wardrobe department, did so much on the visual front.
What was it like filming for your first crime genre project?
I enjoy the crime genre, for sure. The Departed and The Shawshank Redemption are two of my favorite films, both crime-related, as well as there being a connective tissue to Black Bird; undercover work in The Departed and a prison setting in Shawshank.
Your work ranges all across the board. Do you prefer working on comedy projects, or darker dramas? Why?
I prefer any genre that tells a good story. Comedy or drama or others. Having said that, my career trajectory would certainly be to tell heavier dramatic stories while peppering in a guest star on Curb Your Enthusiasm or hosting SNL.
Tell us more about Delia’s Gone. What is the premise of the film?
Delia’s Gone is a story with a lot of layered themes, focusing on this man who is a victim of circumstance and is now advocating for his own freedom and the truth about the mysterious death of his best friend and relative – his sister Delia. Stephan James gives a pretty heartbreaking performance. I really liked getting to meet him and work with him.
What was it like working with Spike Lee in Blakkklansman?
Spike Lee is the man. I love his enthusiasm, his knowledge of cinema and his penchant for making films that feel more artistically-familiar than genre-familiar. I hope he calls me again, with marching orders. He also allows for improvisation, which surprised me. I thought I was going to get my wrist slapped, but he and I had a really healthy collaboration. A lot of trust.
How did you prepare for the role of Lefty Ledbetter for National Anthem?
So much of that role has to do with raw honest emotion, rather than any pre-planned research or something. Tony Tost’s writing is so damn good that all ya really need to do is speak the words and tell the truth.
The cast of National Anthem features huge talents, how was it working with your co-stars?
I loved getting to play opposite Sydney Sweeney. She, as a human being, is scarily-smart and strong, while also having such a sense of being grounded and not checking-out on humanity, as so many do. It reminded me of Emma Thompson, who I got to know on Cruella and Late Night. Also, Simon Rex is a really good hang. We made each other laugh a lot.
We are excited about “Cobra Kai” season 5. What can you tell us about Stingray’s future in the series?
I am sworn to secrecy, but I think the cat is pretty much outta the bag that Stingray’s chapter in the Book of Cobra Kai has yet to be completed.
You’ve been working on many films & series recently. When you have a day off, how do you spend it?
My days off are spent getting a workout in, cooking, sneaking in a dental appointment or a massage, taking a friend to Canter’s Deli. I miss binge-watching stuff; I just don’t have the time anymore. I gotta catch up on Barry, Stranger Things, and Curb. I have to finish Ozark. My wife and I did enjoy Hacks and that Paul Newman/Joanne Woodward doc that Ethan Hawke made. More than anything, I try to create time to spend with my wife Amy and my son, Harris.
What would you tell your younger self, if you could?
Being responsible is vitally important, stop trying so hard to fit in or be accepted, learn how to play a musical instrument, and drink more water.
Who or what in the industry inspires and motivates you the most?
I get strangely competitive when it comes to climbing the industry ladder. I get motivated when I see someone kill it in a performance, and it makes me want to get out into the game to score points, as well. I’m thinking of a performance like Paul Dano in The Batman, or Jonah Hill in Don’t Look Up. I dig those guys’ work, but in my mind I’m also competing with them. I’m deeply inspired by films or TV that I think are expertly-made but under appreciated, like that Melanie Lynskey film Hello I Must Be Going, or a strange comedic gem like the movie Computer Chess. I really love Mads Mikkelsen. I think about his work in The Hunt and Another Round quite often.
What director do you hope to work with in upcoming years?
Top of my list are Rob Reiner, David Fincher, and the Coen Brothers. PTA is dope. I’d love to do a bit part in a Tarantino movie. Linklater is awesome. Josh and Benny Safdie are super special. I love Sean Baker, Tom Ford, Soderbergh. I’m gonna stop before the list gets absurdly-long.
