A strikingly beautiful actress with raw talent, Paula Patton emerged on the Hollywood scene in 2006 as a newcomer worth watching. Though she had been working in the industry for a number of years, Patton’s work had been primarily behind the camera. A Los Angeles native and former film student, Patton made the jump in front of the camera after realizing her true passion lay in acting. Her effervescent beauty and affecting on-screen presence quickly landed her starring roles opposite Outkast’s Andre Benjamin in the urban period musical, “Idlewild” (2006) as well as A-lister Denzel Washington in the thriller “Déjà Vu” (2006), positioning her as one Hollywood’s most promising young actresses.
Born in Los Angeles, CA in 1975 to a schoolteacher mother and lawyer father, Patton grew up in the City of Angels where she attended Hamilton High School’s Academy of Music, a performing arts high school on L.A.’s Westside. An active student, Patton performed in a number of plays at her school, including a role as Abigail in “The Crucible,” but became interested in filmmaking as a teenager as well. After attending the University of Southern California’s summer film program between her junior and senior years of high school, Patton began to make short films. Landing a spot on the PBS series “The Ride,” a reality series that followed four young filmmakers across the country as they documented young life in America, Patton put off her first semester of college at the University of California, Berkeley. Intent on pursuing her love of film, Patton later transferred to USC’s prestigious film program, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in critical studies in 1997.
Unsure of how to proceed after obtaining her degree, like many recent film school grads, Patton began to pursue PA work. She landed a gig in the industry as an assistant to Howie Mandel on his short-lived talk show, “The Howie Mandel Show” (1998-99). Next, an undeterred Patton landed a stint as a PA on the Freddie Prinze Jr. comedy, “Boys and Girls” (2000). Though Patton’s duties consisted primarily of fetching coffee for the production crew, she began to have hopes that she might one day end up in front of the camera. She went on to land an entry-level position on the Discovery Health Network’s “Medical Diaries” (2000-02), a documentary series about the field of medicine. A diligent worker, Patton’s position was soon upped to segment producer, and she continued with the series for two years until its cancellation in 2002. Reevaluating her career path, Patton decided to pursue her childhood dream of acting. She certainly had the good looks necessary. In preparation, she spent a year studying her craft with a private acting coach.
Patton began to book film roles quickly. Landing her first role in 2005, she appeared in the romantic comedy “Hitch” alongside Will Smith and Eva Mendes. That same year, she also landed a small part in the independent drama “London” (2005) and was cast in the role of Detective Angela Kellogg on the short-lived Fox crime drama, “Murder Book” (2005). Scoring her first leading role after only a short time pounding the usually requisite pavement, Patton was cast as sultry nightclub singer Angel Davenport in the prohibition-era musical, “Idlewild” (2006). Though the role required Patton to sing (a skill she did not possess), Patton’s charisma impressed the filmmakers who later had her singing voice in the film dubbed by vocalist Debra Killings. Starring opposite Outkast members Andre Benjamin and Big Boi, Patton proved she could hold her own in as a leading lady. Next, Patton landed another prominent role – this time as a young woman in peril opposite Denzel Washington in the Tony Scott thriller, “Déjà Vu” (2006). Though the film was not well-received by critics, it gave Patton some much-needed exposure.