Paul Sparks

Last updated

Paul Sparks
Paul Sparks (cropped).jpg
Sparks in 2016
Born (1971-10-16) October 16, 1971 (age 52)
Alma mater New York University
OccupationActor
Years active1998–present
Spouse Annie Parisse
Children2

Paul Sparks (born October 16, 1971) [1] is an American actor. He is known for his roles as gangster Mickey Doyle in the HBO period drama series Boardwalk Empire , writer Thomas Yates in the Netflix political drama series House of Cards , mall owner John Breem in the Apple TV+ comedy-drama series Physical , attorney David Tellis in the Starz anthology drama series The Girlfriend Experience , and a recurring role in the limited series The Night Of . Sparks has also starred in the films Deception (2008), Afterschool (2008), The Missing Person (2008), Mud (2012), Parkland (2013), Stealing Cars (2015), Thoroughbreds (2017), and The Greatest Showman (2017).

Contents

Early life and career

Sparks was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, [2] and grew up in nearby Marlow. He attended Marlow High School, where his father coached football, [3] graduating in 1990. While attending school in Marlow, Paul was a part of the Marlow Outlaw Speech Team (M.O.S.T.) where he was coached by Paula and Gary McConnell. [4] Sparks earned a scholarship to Oklahoma State University to study chemistry, but later transferred to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. [4] [5] He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama in 1995. [6]

In 2010, Sparks began portraying the regular role of Mickey Doyle on HBO's drama series Boardwalk Empire , which was created by Terence Winter and executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Mark Wahlberg. [7] The series ended in 2014, after completing five seasons. [8]

Personal life

Sparks is married to actress Annie Parisse, after meeting in 2005. [9] Together they have two children, son Emmett (born 2009), [4] and daughter Lydia (born 2014). [10] Sparks has diabetes mellitus type 1 and works with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. [11] He is good friends with fellow actor Michael Shannon; the two have worked together on a number of projects including Waco, The Missing Person , Mud , Boardwalk Empire , and Midnight Special . [12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005 Headspace Jason
2006 The Treatment Andre
2007 Blackbird Baylis
2008 Synecdoche, New York Derek
2008 Rachel Getting Married 12 Step Member
2008 Deception Detective Burke
2008 Afterschool Detective Eclisse
2008 The Missing Person Gus Papitos
2008 The Understudy Bobby
2010 Please Give Blind Date
2010 Edge of Darkness Police Detective
2011 Return Ed
2012 Forgetting the Girl Tanner
2012 Mud Carver
2012 Sparrows Dance Wes
2013 Trust Me Ray
2013 Parkland Harry McCormick
2015 Stealing Cars Conrad Sean Lewis
2016 Midnight Special Agent Miller
2016All the Birds Have Flown SouthStephen
2016 In the Radiant City Michael Yurley
2017 Thoroughbreds Mark
2017 The Greatest Showman James Gordon Bennett Sr.
2019 Human Capital Jon
2020 The Lovebirds Moustache
2021 Giving Birth to a Butterfly Daryl
2021 Hands That Bind Andy Hollis
TBA Eric Larue

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 Trinity RodEpisode: "In a Yellow Wood"
2000 Law & Order Paul LuterikEpisode: "Panic"
2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Marvin PoseyEpisode: "Manhunt"
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Keith DurbinEpisode: "Shibboleth"
2006 Brotherhood Aaron3 episodes
2010–2014 Boardwalk Empire Mickey Doyle 36 episodes
2011 Mildred Pierce Ted HobeyEpisode: "Part Five"
2012–2013 Underemployed Guy Doyle3 episodes
2013M.Y.C.Mickey MothsteinTelevision short
2013 Person of Interest WilsonEpisode: "Relevance"
2014 Believe Karl McKenzieEpisode: "Bang and Blame"
2015–2017 House of Cards Thomas Yates27 episodes
2016 The Girlfriend Experience David Tellis12 episodes
2016 The Night Of Don Taylor6 episodes
2017 Get Shorty OwenEpisode: "The Pitch"
2017 The Crown Billy Graham Episode: "Vergangenheit"
2018 Waco Steve Schneider6 episodes
2018–2019 Sweetbitter HowardMain role
2019 Castle Rock John "Ace" Merrill10 episodes
2021–2023 Physical John BreemMain role
2021 Joe Pickett Wacey HedemanMain role

Stage

YearTitleRoleLocation/Company
2000 Coyote on a Fence Bobby ReyburnUrban Stages
2003–2004 Take Me Out Jason Chenier Walter Kerr Theatre
Shane Mungitt
Kippy Sunderstrom
2004BlackbirdBaylisEdge Theater Company
2005 Orange Flower Water Brad Youngquist
2006 Landscape of the Body Marvin Holahan Signature Theatre Company
2007Essential Self-DefenseYul CarrollEdge Theater Company
2009 Hedda Gabler Ejlert Lovborg American Airlines Theatre
2010Dusk Rings a BellRay Atlantic Theater Company
2016 Buried Child Tilden The New Group
2018 Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo Jerry Signature Theatre
2023 Grey House Henry Lyceum Theatre, Broadway

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2000 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Coyote on a Fence Nominated
2004BlackbirdNominated
2005 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Orange Flower Water Nominated
2007Outstanding Actor in a PlayEssential Self-DefenseNominated
2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Boardwalk Empire Won
2011Won
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a PlayDusk Rings a BellNominated
2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Boardwalk Empire Nominated
2013Nominated
Film Independent Spirit Awards Robert Altman Award Mud Won
2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Boardwalk Empire Nominated
2016 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Buried Child Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series House of Cards Nominated
2018 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a PlayNominated
Drama League Awards Distinguished PerformanceNominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a PlayNominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Krause</span> American actor (born 1965)

Peter William Krause is an American actor, director, and producer. He has played lead roles in multiple television series, portraying Casey McCall on Sports Night (1998–2000), Nate Fisher on Six Feet Under (2001–2005), Nick George on Dirty Sexy Money (2007–2009), Adam Braverman on Parenthood (2010–2015), Benjamin Jones on The Catch (2016–2017), and Bobby Nash on 9-1-1 (2018–2024).

Jeanne Marie Tripplehorn is an American actress. She began her career on stage, acting in several plays throughout the early 1990s, including Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters on Broadway. Her film career began with the role of a police psychologist in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct (1992). Her other film roles include The Firm (1993), Waterworld (1995) and Sliding Doors (1998). On television, she starred as Barbara Henrickson on the HBO drama series Big Love (2006–2011) and as Dr. Alex Blake on the CBS police drama Criminal Minds (2012–2014), and she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her performance as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the 2009 HBO movie Grey Gardens.

Timothy Van Patten is an American director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He has received numerous accolades including two Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and two Directors Guild of America Awards as well as nominations for two BAFTA Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Shannon</span> American actor

Michael Corbett Shannon is an American actor. He is a frequent collaborator with director Jeff Nichols, having appeared in Nichols' films Shotgun Stories (2007), Take Shelter (2011), Mud (2012), Midnight Special and Loving, and The Bikeriders (2023). Shannon received two Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nominations, for Revolutionary Road (2008), and Nocturnal Animals (2016). He received Screen Actors Guild Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for his role in 99 Homes (2014).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Huston</span> British actor

Jack Alexander Huston is a British actor. He appeared as Richard Harrow in the HBO television drama series Boardwalk Empire. He also had a supporting role in the 2013 film American Hustle, portrayed the eponymous Ben-Hur in the 2016 historical drama, and appeared as one of the main characters in the fourth season of the FX anthology series Fargo (2020). In 2023, he starred in the supernatural television series Mayfair Witches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Gelber</span> American actor and singer (born 1975)

Jordan Gelber is an American actor and singer. He has performed on Broadway in the musical Avenue Q, in All My Sons and in Elf the Musical, among other shows. He has also performed in many off-Broadway productions. He has a recurring role in the CBS TV show Elementary and in other television shows.

Peter McRobbie is a Scottish-born American character actor, best known for his roles as John C. Twist in the 2005 romantic drama film Brokeback Mountain, Mike Sheenan in the 2006 action film 16 Blocks, Pop Pop Jamison in the 2015 horror film The Visit and Father Paul Lantom in Daredevil, as well as recurring roles in the TNT series The Alienist and as Judge Walter Bradley in the Law & Order franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoe Kazan</span> American screen writer (born 1983)

Zoe Swicord Kazan is an American actress, playwright, and screenwriter. She made her acting debut in the film Swordswallowers and Thin Men (2003) and later acted in films such as The Savages (2007), Revolutionary Road (2008), and It's Complicated (2009). She starred in Happythankyoumoreplease (2010), Meek's Cutoff (2010), Ruby Sparks (2012), What If (2013), The Big Sick (2017), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), and She Said (2021). She also wrote Ruby Sparks and co-wrote Wildlife (2018) with her partner Paul Dano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shea Whigham</span> American actor (born 1969)

Shea Whigham is an American actor best known for portraying Elias "Eli" Thompson in the drama series Boardwalk Empire. He also appeared in the first season of True Detective and the third season of Fargo and in numerous films, including Wristcutters: A Love Story, Take Shelter, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, The Wolf of Wall Street, Kong: Skull Island, First Man, Vice, Joker, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. He has appeared as Agent Michael Stasiak in Fast & Furious, Fast & Furious 6, and F9.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> American period crime drama television series

Boardwalk Empire is an American period crime drama television series created by Terence Winter and broadcast on the premium cable channel HBO. The series is set chiefly in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and stars Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson. Winter, a Primetime Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer, created the show, inspired by Nelson Johnson's 2002 non-fiction book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, about the historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson.

Broadway Limited (<i>Boardwalk Empire</i>) 3rd episode of the 1st season of Boardwalk Empire

"Broadway Limited" is the third episode of the first season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, which premiered October 3, 2010. It was written by supervising producer Margaret Nagle and was directed by executive producer Tim Van Patten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Zegen</span> American actor

Michael Zegen is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series Rescue Me (2004–2011), Boardwalk Empire (2011–2014), and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023).

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 19, 2010, and concluded on December 5, 2010, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and 1930s. The first season takes place between January and November 1920, beginning with the start of national prohibition and ending with the 1920 presidential election.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 25, 2011, and concluded on December 11, 2011, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and 1930s. The second season takes place between February and August 1921. The second season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 28, 2012.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 16, 2012 and concluded on December 2, 2012, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and early 1930s. Taking place 16 months after season two, the third season begins on New Year's Eve 1922 and concludes in June 1923. The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 20, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase Coleman</span> American actor, director, and musician

Chase Coleman is an American actor, director, and musician. Coleman portrayed the character of Billy Winslow in the HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire and the werewolf Oliver on the CW spin-off series The Originals.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 8, 2013, and concluded on November 24, 2013, consisting of 12 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and early 1930s. The fourth season takes place between February and August, 1924. The fourth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 19, 2014.

<i>Boardwalk Empire</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 7, 2014, and concluded on October 26, 2014, consisting of 8 episodes. The series was created by Terence Winter and based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era, the series stars Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City, New Jersey, during the Prohibition period of the 1920s and early 1930s. The fifth season takes place between April and October 1931, seven years after the previous season, during the Great Depression, with flashbacks to 1884 and 1897 detailing Nucky's childhood and young adulthood. On January 13, 2015, the fifth season was made available on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1.

Mieczyslaw "Mickey Doyle" Kuzik is a fictional character in the HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire. He is played by Paul Sparks. Mickey Doyle is loosely based on Polish American mobster Mickey Duffy.

Glenn Fleshler is an American actor. On television, he is noted as a recurring cast member on Boardwalk Empire who portrayed real-life bootlegger George Remus, for appearing on Billions, and as Errol Childress in the first season of the crime drama True Detective. He also starred as Chechen mob boss, Goran Pazar in the HBO black comedy series Barry (2018-2022). He had a supporting role in the 2019 film Joker.

References

  1. "Celebrating a Birthday Today". The Modesto Bee . The Associated Press. October 16, 2014. p. 2A. Actor Paul Sparks ('Boardwalk Empire') is 43.
  2. "Paul Sparks". Allmovie . Retrieved November 7, 2023. Born - Oct 16, 1971 in Lawton, Oklahoma, United States.
  3. Rooney, David (July 15, 2010). "Embracing a Tragic Masculinity". The New York Times . Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Hayer, Melissa. ""Boardwalk to Success": Oklahoma native Paul Sparks turns advice, acting experiences into successful career". The Oklahoman . Retrieved December 7, 2014.[ dead link ]
  5. "Boardwalk Empire Cast & Crew: Paul Sparks". HBO.com.
  6. Lardaro, Mariangela (January 31, 2011). "Tisch Alumni Rack Up Accolades". New York University. Tisch School of the Arts . Archived from the original on May 2, 2016.
  7. Hetrick, Adam (February 11, 2009). "Hedda Gabler's Sparks Signed for HBO Pilot "Boardwalk Empire"". Playbill . Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  8. "Q&A with Paul Sparks". HBO.com. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  9. Simon, Lizzie (April 2, 2012). "The Theater Of Discomfort". The Wall Street Journal .
  10. Scott, Marcus (March 28, 2016). "American Horror Story Star Transitions to the Stage With the Help of Her Buried Child Cast". Playbill .
  11. "On the Rise: Paul Sparks On His Career, Role In Clark Gregg's 'Trust Me' & More!". Icon vs Icon. August 29, 2014.
  12. "Film: Michael Shannon – Interviewed by Paul Sparks". The Lab Magazine. March 29, 2011. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.