Paul Johansson
Encyclopedia
Paul Joseph Otto Johansson (born January 26, 1964) is an American-born Canadian actor, writer and director, best known for playing Dan Scott on the WB
/CW
television series, One Tree Hill
, and for his role as Nick Wolfe
on the short lived Highlander: The Series
spin-off Highlander: The Raven
. He directed the film version of Ayn Rand
's novel, Atlas Shrugged: Part I.
, Beverly Hills, 90210
and Lonesome Dove
.
Johansson became well-known to fans of 90210 for playing John Sears, a fraternity brother who unsuccessfully vied for the affections of Kelly Taylor
(Jennie Garth
) and set up Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering
) to burglarize a professor's office. Sears was later blackballed from the fraternity for the incident. Johnasson's character did not return until the season 4 finale, where he attempted to humiliate Steve at every turn, only to be brought down by Steve's friends Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty
) and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling
).
He also appeared in commercials, most notably as the delivery man in a Diet Coke
commercial. He has appeared in the films Soapdish
, John Q
and Alpha Dog
and had a small role in The Notebook
. He subsequently featured in Takashi Miike
's 2003 film Gozu
, appearing as a man with a cow's head. In 2003 Johansson wrote and directed the film The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie. He has also directed several episodes of One Tree Hill
. In 2006 he starred in Emily Skopov's Novel Romance
, alongside Traci Lords
and Sherilyn Fenn
. He appeared in the 7th season of The Drew Carey Show, playing a sportscaster.
He is the director of Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011), the first third of a proposed trilogy based on the novel
by Ayn Rand
. The film received a "13% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes
, indicating that only five of thirty-nine reviewers liked it.
, Washington, the son of ice hockey player Earl Johnson, but raised in Kelowna
, B.C.
He was an athlete like his father and played for the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team and for the University of British Columbia
. After quitting basketball he began writing, which in turn led to acting.
Johansson's ex wife is actress, Gabriela Oltean.
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
/CW
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
television series, One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
, and for his role as Nick Wolfe
Nick Wolfe
Nick Wolfe is a fictional character from the universe of the Highlander: The Raven, portrayed by actor Paul Johansson. He is an Immortal.Nick has an older brother, who was 4 when Nick was adopted...
on the short lived Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
spin-off Highlander: The Raven
Highlander: The Raven
Highlander: The Raven was a short-lived spin-off from the television series Highlander, continuing the saga of a female Immortal. The series followed the character of Amanda , an Immortal who had a recurring role in Highlander: The Series...
. He directed the film version of Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
's novel, Atlas Shrugged: Part I.
Acting career
Johansson landed his first role on the popular soap opera, Santa Barbara. He played Greg Hughes from 1989 to 1990. Soon he made appearances in other television shows such as Parker Lewis Can't LoseParker Lewis Can't Lose
Parker Lewis Can't Lose is an American teen sitcom that originally aired on FOX from September 1990 to June 1993. During the last season, the series sported the simpler title Parker Lewis. The series was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and was strongly influenced by the feature film Ferris...
, Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
and Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove
Lonesome Dove is a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series, but the third installment in the series chronologically...
.
Johansson became well-known to fans of 90210 for playing John Sears, a fraternity brother who unsuccessfully vied for the affections of Kelly Taylor
Kelly Taylor (90210)
Kelly Taylor, portrayed by Jennie Garth, is a fictional character who was the female lead of Beverly Hills, 90210 for the majority of the show's duration. Initially presented as a "spoiled teen vixen", the role was gradually expanded by producers...
(Jennie Garth
Jennie Garth
Jennifer Eve "Jennie" Garth is an American actress and director, best known for starring in the prominent role of Kelly Taylor throughout the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
) and set up Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering
Ian Ziering
Ian Andrew Ziering is an American actor best known for playing Steve Sanders on the television series Beverly Hills, 90210.-Personal life:...
) to burglarize a professor's office. Sears was later blackballed from the fraternity for the incident. Johnasson's character did not return until the season 4 finale, where he attempted to humiliate Steve at every turn, only to be brought down by Steve's friends Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty
Shannen Maria Doherty is an American actress, producer, author and television director, known for her work as Heather Duke in Heathers , as Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spinoff series 90210, and as Prue Halliwell in Charmed .-Early life and career:Doherty was born in Memphis,...
) and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling
Tori Spelling
Victoria Davey "Tori" Spelling is an American actress. Spelling became known in the early 1990s for her role as Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210. Spelling then had roles in a string of made-for-television films, such as A Friend to Die For and Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?...
).
He also appeared in commercials, most notably as the delivery man in a Diet Coke
Diet Coke
Diet Coke is a sugar-free soft drink produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company. It was first introduced in the United States on August 9, 1982, as the first new brand since 1886 to use the Coca-Cola trademark...
commercial. He has appeared in the films Soapdish
Soapdish
Soapdish is a 1991 comedy film which tells a backstage story of the cast and crew of a popular fictional television soap opera. It stars Sally Field as an aging soap star, joined by Kevin Kline, Robert Downey, Jr., Elisabeth Shue, Whoopi Goldberg, Teri Hatcher, Cathy Moriarty, Garry Marshall, Kathy...
, John Q
John Q
John Q is a 2002 film directed by Nick Cassavetes starring Denzel Washington as John Quincy Archibald, a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it...
and Alpha Dog
Alpha Dog
Alpha Dog is a 2007 crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007. The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas...
and had a small role in The Notebook
The Notebook
The Notebook is a 1996 romantic novel by American novelist Nicholas Sparks, based on a true story. The novel was later adapted into a popular romance film by the same name in 2004.-Background:...
. He subsequently featured in Takashi Miike
Takashi Miike
is a highly prolific and controversial Japanese filmmaker. He has directed over seventy theatrical, video, and television productions since his debut in 1991. In the years 2001 and 2002 alone, Miike is credited with directing fifteen productions...
's 2003 film Gozu
Gozu
is a Japanese cult film directed by Takashi Miike.-Plot:Structurally, Gozu is a succession of bizarre scenes sandwiched between a storyline involving Minami’s search for his Yakuza brother Ozaki in a small town, that is reminiscent of the episodic quests in Greek Mythology.-Cast:*Hideki Sone as...
, appearing as a man with a cow's head. In 2003 Johansson wrote and directed the film The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie. He has also directed several episodes of One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill (TV series)
One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster...
. In 2006 he starred in Emily Skopov's Novel Romance
Novel Romance
Novel Romance is an art-house romantic comedy 2006 film directed by Emily Skopov in her feature film directorial debut. It stars Traci Lords, Paul Johansson and Sherilyn Fenn...
, alongside Traci Lords
Traci Lords
Traci Lords , also known as Traci Elizabeth Lords and Tracy Lords, is an American film actress, producer, film director, writer and singer...
and Sherilyn Fenn
Sherilyn Fenn
Sherilyn Fenn is an American actress and filmmaker. She came to international attention for her performance as Audrey Horne on the 1990 cult TV series Twin Peaks...
. He appeared in the 7th season of The Drew Carey Show, playing a sportscaster.
He is the director of Atlas Shrugged: Part I (2011), the first third of a proposed trilogy based on the novel
Atlas Shrugged
Atlas Shrugged is a novel by Ayn Rand, first published in 1957 in the United States. Rand's fourth and last novel, it was also her longest, and the one she considered to be her magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing...
by Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter. She is known for her two best-selling novels The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged and for developing a philosophical system she called Objectivism....
. The film received a "13% Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, indicating that only five of thirty-nine reviewers liked it.
Personal life
Johansson was born in SpokaneSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, Washington, the son of ice hockey player Earl Johnson, but raised in Kelowna
Kelowna
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...
, B.C.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
He was an athlete like his father and played for the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team and for the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. After quitting basketball he began writing, which in turn led to acting.
Johansson's ex wife is actress, Gabriela Oltean.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Swimsuit Swimsuit A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A... |
||
| 1989–1990 | Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (TV series) Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California... |
Greg Hughes | |
| 1990 | Laker Girls Laker Girls The Laker Girls are an all-female National Basketball Association Cheerleading squad that performs and supports the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team in home matches.They also perform at many other events and venues.... |
Bart Jeffris | |
| They Came from Outer Space They Came from Outer Space They Came from Outer Space is an American science fiction comedy series that aired in syndication from October 1990 to March 1991. The series was created by Tom McLoughlin.-Synopsis:... |
Doug | ||
| 1991 | Soapdish Soapdish Soapdish is a 1991 comedy film which tells a backstage story of the cast and crew of a popular fictional television soap opera. It stars Sally Field as an aging soap star, joined by Kevin Kline, Robert Downey, Jr., Elisabeth Shue, Whoopi Goldberg, Teri Hatcher, Cathy Moriarty, Garry Marshall, Kathy... |
Blair Brennan/Bolt | |
| 1991–1993 | Parker Lewis Can't Lose Parker Lewis Can't Lose Parker Lewis Can't Lose is an American teen sitcom that originally aired on FOX from September 1990 to June 1993. During the last season, the series sported the simpler title Parker Lewis. The series was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and was strongly influenced by the feature film Ferris... |
Nick Comstock | |
| 1992 | Martial Law II: Undercover | Spencer Hamilton | |
| 1993 | Midnight Witness | Paul | |
| When the Party's Over | Henry | ||
| 1993–1994 | Beverly Hills, 90210 Beverly Hills, 90210 Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise... |
John Sears | |
| 1994 | Burke's Law Burke's Law Burke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud... |
||
| The 5 Mrs. Buchanans | Jesse Buchanan | ||
| 1994–1995 | Lonesome Dove: The Series | Austin Peale | |
| 1995–1996 | Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years | Austin Peale | |
| 1996 | Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Ice | Det. Bert Kling | |
| 1997 | Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Heatwave | Det. Bert Kling | |
| 7th Heaven 7th Heaven 7th Heaven is an American family drama television series, created and produced by Brenda Hampton. The series premiered on August 26, 1996, on the WB, the first time that the network aired Monday night programming, and was originally broadcast from August 26, 1996 to May 13, 2007... |
Tom Harrison | ||
| She's So Lovely She's So Lovely She's So Lovely is a 1997 film directed by Nick Cassavetes, written by the late John Cassavetes. At the time of its release, it received special attention because, eight years after his death, it was the first film to posthumously feature new material from John Cassavetes.The film stars Sean Penn... |
Intern #2 | ||
| Dead Man's Gun Dead Man's Gun Dead Man's Gun was a western anthology series which ran on Showtime from 1997 to 1999. The series followed the travels of a gun as it passed to a new character in each episode. The gun would change the life of whomever possessed it.... |
Sanford Hogan | ||
| 1998 | Players | Jeff Taylor | |
| Dharma & Greg Dharma & Greg Dharma & Greg is an American television sitcom that aired from September 24, 1997, to April 30, 2002.It starred Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson as Dharma and Greg Montgomery, a couple who married instantly on their first date despite being complete opposites... |
Leonard | ||
| Earth: Final Conflict Earth: Final Conflict Earth: Final Conflict is a Canadian science fiction television series based on story ideas created by Gene Roddenberry, and produced under the guidance of his widow, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. It was not produced, filmed or broadcast until after his death... |
Sloane | ||
| Carniaval of Souls | Michael | ||
| 1998–1999 | Highlander: The Raven Highlander: The Raven Highlander: The Raven was a short-lived spin-off from the television series Highlander, continuing the saga of a female Immortal. The series followed the character of Amanda , an Immortal who had a recurring role in Highlander: The Series... |
Nick Wolfe | |
| 1999 | Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies Wishmaster 2 is the 1999 horror sequel of the Wishmaster film series. It premiered on cable television in March 1999, and was released directly-to-DVD bundled with the first movie in August of that year.... |
Gregory | |
| First Wave | Hatcher | ||
| 2000 | Glory Glory Glory Glory (2000 film) Glory Glory is a 2000 western film. The film was also marketed under the title Hooded Angels.-Synopsis:It is the dawn of the Wild West in Silver Creek. A gang of beautiful but deadly women have unleashed violence on the society that failed to protect them, robbing banks and destroying everything... |
Wes | |
| Hope Island Hope Island (TV series) Hope Island is an American television show that originally aired on PAX TV in the 1999-2000 season. It was based on Ballykissangel, a popular drama that aired on the BBC One.... |
Steve Kramer | ||
| Da Vinci's Inquest Da Vinci's Inquest Da Vinci's Inquest is a Canadian dramatic television series that aired on CBC Television from 1998 to 2005. Seven seasons of thirteen episodes each were filmed for a total of ninety-one episodes.... |
Tom Sprawl | ||
| The Last Dance | Charlie Parker | ||
| Andromeda Andromeda (TV series) Andromeda is a Canadian-American science fiction television series, based on unused material by the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, developed by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and produced by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry. It starred Kevin Sorbo as High Guard Captain Dylan Hunt... |
Guderian | ||
| 2001 | Berserker Berserker (2001 film) Berserker is a 2001 film, based around the Norse concept of the berserker. It was directed by Paul Matthews and starred Patrick Bergin, Paul Johansson, and Kari Wührer as a Valkyrie.-Summary:... |
Barek | |
| The Drew Carey Show The Drew Carey Show The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor.... |
Ron Higgins | ||
| 2002 | Darkness Falling | Sean Leonard | |
| John Q John Q John Q is a 2002 film directed by Nick Cassavetes starring Denzel Washington as John Quincy Archibald, a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it... |
Tuck Lampley | ||
| Edge of Madness Edge of Madness Edge of Madness is a 2002 drama film based on the short story A Wilderness Station, written by Alice Munro. It stars Brendan Fehr, Caroline Dhavernas, and Corey Sevier.-Plot:... |
Henry Mullen | ||
| The District The District The District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department .-Premise:... |
Father Patrick Debreno | ||
| 2003 | The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie | Jack | Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming... for Outstanding Writing in a Children/Youth/Family Special Nominated – Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming... for Outstanding Directing in a Children/Youth/Family Special |
| 2003–2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 | One Tree Hill One Tree Hill (TV series) One Tree Hill is an American television drama created by Mark Schwahn, which premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB Television Network. After its third season, The WB merged with UPN to form The CW Television Network, and, since September 27, 2006, the network has been the official broadcaster... |
Dan Scott | Series regular season 1–7; episodes 1-13. Special Guest star, season 8. Returning as series regular for season 9. |
| 2004 | Window Theory | Stu | |
| The Notebook The Notebook (film) The Notebook is a 2004 romance film directed by Nick Cassavetes, based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love during the early 1940s... |
Allie's Mom's Ex Boyfriend | uncredited | |
| 2006 | Alpha Dog Alpha Dog Alpha Dog is a 2007 crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007. The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas... |
Peter Johansson | |
| Mind Games | Michael | ||
| Novel Romance Novel Romance Novel Romance is an art-house romantic comedy 2006 film directed by Emily Skopov in her feature film directorial debut. It stars Traci Lords, Paul Johansson and Sherilyn Fenn... |
Jake Buckley | ||
| 2008 | IQ-145 | Ben Compost | |
| Toxic | Gus | ||
| 2009 | The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is the 2009 sequel to 1999's The Boondock Saints. Written and directed by original Boondock Saints creator Troy Duffy, the film stars Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus, who return to their roles, as well as several of the other actors from the first... |
Kuntsler | |
| 2011 | Atlas Shrugged Atlas Shrugged (film) Atlas Shrugged: Part I is a 2011 American film adaptation of part of Ayn Rand’s 1957 novel Atlas Shrugged, intended as the first film of a trilogy encompassing the entire book. After various treatments and proposals floundered for nearly 40 years, investor John Aglialoro initiated production in... |
John Galt (seen from back of head with hat only in Part 1 of planned trilogy) |