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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Actor

Paul Wesley

Paul Wesley is an American actor and film director born Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Paul Wesley is an American actor and director known for playing Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries. He also portrays James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Early life

Paul Wesley was born Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski on July 23, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is of Polish descent.

Career highlights

Wesley gained widespread recognition for his role as Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017). He later took on the iconic role of James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Other ventures

Beyond acting, Wesley has directed television episodes and worked as a producer through his company Citizen Media.

In short

  • Born Pawel Tomasz Wasilewski in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
  • Widely known for playing Stefan Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017).
  • Also plays James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
  • Has worked as an actor, director, and producer.

Quick questions

Who is Paul Wesley?
Paul Wesley is an American actor, director, and producer best known for The Vampire Diaries and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
What is Paul Wesley's birth name?
His birth name is Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski.
What is Paul Wesley known for?
He is best known for playing Stefan Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries and James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wesley
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, and major roles including Stefan Salvatore and James T. Kirk
  2. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/paul-wesley/bio/3030602081/
    Supports: Birth place, birth name, and profession
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0913587/
    Supports: Occupations, notable roles, and production company information
  4. People — https://www.people.com/tag/paul-wesley/
    Supports: General career overview and role in The Vampire Diaries
  5. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/people/paul-wesley-935580/biography
    Supports: Career overview and The Vampire Diaries breakthrough
  6. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Paul+Wesley/390645
    Supports: Directing credits and production company information