Paul Walter Hauser

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Paul Walter Hauser
20210526--Paul Walter Hauser, interview for "Cruella", LosCriticologos (05m21s) (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Hauser in 2021
Born (1986-10-15) October 15, 1986 (age 38)
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Other namesPaul Hauser
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • wrestler
Years active2005–present
Spouse
Amy Elizabeth Boland
​
​
(m. 2020)​
Children3

Paul Walter Hauser (born October 15, 1986) is an American actor, comedian, and professional wrestler. He starred as murderer Larry Hall in the 2022 true crime miniseries Black Bird , for which he won a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, and is also known for his portrayal of Stingray in the Netflix series Cobra Kai . His breakout performance was as the title character in Clint Eastwood's drama film Richard Jewell in 2019. He has also provided the voice of Embarrassment in Pixar's Inside Out 2 in 2024. As an occasional professional wrestler, Hauser is signed to Major League Wrestling.

Contents

Early life and education

Hauser was raised in Saginaw, Michigan. His parents are Deborah and Rev. Paul Hauser, a Lutheran minister. [1] [2]

He attended Valley Lutheran High School, a private parochial school in Saginaw. [2] [1] He attended Concordia University Chicago before dropping out to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. [3]

Career

Acting

Hauser portrayed Shawn Eckhardt in the 2017 film I, Tonya , Dale in the 2010 film Virginia , and Keith in the television series Kingdom . Hauser was initially cast as an extra for Virginia as his acting debut, and complimented director Dustin Lance Black for his speech after winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2009 for Milk (2008); this led to Black writing him a larger role in the movie. [4]

He had the recurring role of Deshawn in the Amazon web series Betas , and in 2018 appeared as Lonnie Laloush in Super Troopers 2 and as Ivanhoe in BlacKkKlansman . [5] [6] He has also appeared as a guest star on the television series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt , The Night Shift , Superstore , Key & Peele , It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Community , Blunt Talk , I Think You Should Leave , Bupkis , and Cobra Kai . In 2019, he starred in Clint Eastwood's Richard Jewell , portraying the title role, Richard Jewell, the real life security guard who spotted the bomb at the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. [7] In 2020, he starred in Songbird , a film based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Hauser played Horace Badun in the crime comedy-drama Cruella , a Disney live-action prequel/spin-off of One Hundred and One Dalmatians . [8]

Hauser also starred as Raymond Porter, better known by his nickname Stingray, in Cobra Kai . He appeared as a recurring character in Season 2, and a major anti-hero in Seasons 4 & 5. [9]

Although known for his comedic turns, Hauser gained broad recognition and critical praise for his portrayal of the serial killer Larry Hall in the 2022 Apple TV+ true crime miniseries Black Bird, adapted from James Keene's memoir In with the Devil. Critic Nick Schager wrote of Hauser's performance, "even in a sea of maniacal villains, his Larry Hall stands out as a uniquely cunning madman, so unpredictable and unnerving as to be downright unforgettable." [10]

In 2024, he voiced a lead role in the DreamWorks Animation film Orion and the Dark and the role of Embarrassment in the Pixar film Inside Out 2 .

In 2024, Hauser became attached to the true-crime drama Fruitcake alongside Jennifer Garner; [11] the lead role in a bio-pic about actor-comedian Chris Farley; [12] a reboot of The Naked Gun franchise; [13] the Marvel Cinematic Universe film The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025); [14] a biographical film about Bruce Springsteen titled Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere in the role of guitar tech Mike Batlan; [15] and the comedy Balls Up alongside Mark Wahlberg. [16] The same year, he starred The Luckiest Man in America , in which he plays Michael Larson, a contestant accused of cheating on the game show Press Your Luck in 1984. [17]

Other work

In 2022, Hauser debuted as a rapper under the moniker Signet Ringer. He released his first EP, Murder for Higher, on July 8, 2022. [18]

Professional wrestling

Hauser made his professional wrestling debut at Pro Wrestling REVOLVER in Los Angeles in November 2023 defeating Matthew Palmer. [19] [20] His next appearance with the promotion was in a Slammy Vs. Emmy Winner Take All match where he defeated Matt Cardona in March 2024. [21] Hauser has made sporadic appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as well on the independent circuit. [22] [23] He signed with Major League Wrestling (MLW) in May 2024. [24] [25] He faced Danhausen to a no contest at Pro Wrestling REVOLVER in June 2024. [26] In February 2025, he made his debut with Defy Wrestling in Seattle Street Fight defeating Joey Janela with Aubrey Edwards as the special guest referee. [27] Hauser won his first title in wrestling by capturing the PROGRESS Wrestling Proteus Title at PROGRESS Chapter 179: PROGRESS Las Vegas on April 17, 2025, where he defeated the champion Simon Miller, Adam Priest, Charles Crowley, and Effy in a five way match. [28] In July 2025, Hauser wore his PROGRESS Proteus Title belt to the World premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps in Los Angeles. [29] Hauser was a special guest commentator for AEW on their August 9, 2025 episode of Collision . [30] On August 29, 2025 at Ring of Honor (ROH) Death Before Dishonor, he wrestled QT Marshall in a Fight Without Honor. [31]

Personal life

Hauser married Amy Elizabeth Boland on July 23, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. They have three children; sons Jonah (born 2021), and Harris (born 2023), and daughter Isla Grace (born 2025). [32]

Hauser is a Christian. [4] [33] He and his wife Amy were featured in a video series for online Christian multimedia movement I Am Second . [33]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010 Virginia Dale
2011 Demoted Bothered SalesmanUncredited[ citation needed ]
2013 iSteve Pastey Jones
2017 I, Tonya Shawn Eckhardt
2018 Super Troopers 2 Lonnie Laloush
BlacKkKlansman Ivanhoe
2019 Late Night Eugene Mancuso
Beats Terrence
Richard Jewell Richard Jewell
2020 Adam Trent
Da 5 Bloods Simon
Eat Wheaties! James Fisk
Songbird Michael Dozer
2021 Silk Road Curtis Clark Green
Cruella Horace Badun
Queenpins Ken Miller
2022 Delia's Gone Bo
Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm Elmer (voice)
2023 Americana Lefty Ledbetter
Old Dads Tracy
2024 Orion and the Dark The Dark (voice)
Inside Out 2 Embarrassment (voice)
The Instigators Booch
The Luckiest Man in America Michael LarsonAlso executive producer
2025 The Fantastic Four: First Steps Harvey Elder / Mole Man
The Naked Gun Capt. Ed Hocken Jr.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Mike Batlan
2026 Balls Up †TBAPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005 Too Late with Adam Carolla Various roles (voice)2 episodes
2010 Community Student #31 episode
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Richie1 episode
2013 Key & Peele Various roles2 episodes
2013–2014 Betas Dashawn4 episodes
2014–2017 Kingdom KeithRecurring role, 27 episodes
2015 The Night Shift Oren Edwards1 episode
Blunt Talk Audience Member1 episode
2017 Superstore Vince1 episode
A Midsummer's Nightmare Nick Bottoms Television film
2018–2019 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Tripp Knob2 episodes
2019–2025 Cobra Kai Raymond "Stingray" PorterRecurring role, 15 episodes (seasons 2, 4–6)
2019 WWE Smackdown Himself1 episode
2020 Reno 911! Jeffy Renee ChisholmRecurring role, 6 episodes
2021 Calls Floyd (voice)1 episode
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Scott1 episode
2022 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert No One (voice)1 episode
Black Bird Larry Hall Miniseries, 6 episodes
2023 AEW Dynamite Himself1 episode
AEW Rampage 1 episode
The Afterparty Travis GladriseMain role, 10 episodes (Season 2)
Bupkis Hauser1 episode

Acting accolades

Year [a] Organizations [b] CategoryWorkResultRef.
2020 Astra Film Awards Game Changer Award Richard Jewell Won [34]
Breakthrough Performance ActorNominated
2021 Astra Midseason Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Cruella Nominated [35]
2024 Astra TV Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Streaming Movie Black Bird Won [36]
2025 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Voice Performer in a Children's or Young Teen Program Orion and the Dark Nominated [37]
2023 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Black Bird Won [38]
2019 Detroit Film Critics Society Breakthrough Performance Richard Jewell / Late Night / Beats / 7 Days to Vegas Nominated [39]
2021 Garden State Film Festival Best Ensemble (Feature) 7 Days to Vegas Won [40]
2023 Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actor – Limited or Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture Black Bird Won [41]
2019 Indiana Film Journalists Association Best Actor Richard Jewell Nominated [42]
2019 National Board of Review Breakthrough Performance Won [43]
2024 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Black Bird Won [44]
2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Da 5 Bloods Nominated [45]
2023 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series Black Bird Nominated [46]
2019 Women Film Critics Circle Best Actor Richard Jewell Nominated [47]

Championships and accomplishments

Notes

  1. ↑ Indicates the year of ceremony.
  2. ↑ Awards, festivals, honors and other miscellaneous organizations are listed in alphabetical order.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ordination". Peace Saginaw. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Simpson-Mersha, Isis (January 17, 2018). "Saginaw man starring in I, Tonya 'took every opportunity until it happened'". Mlive.com .
  3. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (December 15, 2017). "Up-and-Comer of the Month: Paul Walter Hauser On His Scene-Stealing Turn in "I, Tonya" and Working With Margot Robbie". The Tracking Board. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Utichi, Joe (December 19, 2019). "Paul Walter Hauser's Journey To 'Richard Jewell': "Most Overnight Successes Take About 10 Years"". Deadline . Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  5. ↑ Ciampaglia, Dante A. (January 17, 2018). "Who Is Shawn Eckardt? Paul Walter Hauser Steals Every Scene As Harding's Bodyguard In I, Tonya". Newsweek .
  6. ↑ Alexander, Bryan (March 7, 2018). "I, Tonya love is overdue for Paul Walter Hauser as grandiose bodyguard Shawn Eckardt". USA Today .
  7. ↑ Kit, Borys (June 12, 2019). "Clint Eastwood Casts BlacKkKlansman Actor as Lead in Richard Jewell Movie". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  8. ↑ Kroll, Justin (July 29, 2019). "Richard Jewell Star Paul Walter Hauser Joins Disney's Live-Action Cruella". Variety . Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Cobra Kai (TV Series 2018–2023) - IMDb". IMDb .
  10. ↑ Schager, Nick (July 28, 2022). "Paul Walter Hauser Is Giving the Best Performance on TV Right Now". The Daily Beast . Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  11. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (March 13, 2024). "Jennifer Garner & Paul Walter Hauser To Star In True-Crime Movie Fruitcake; Max Winkler Directing Black List Script". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  12. ↑ Kroll, Justin (April 30, 2024). "New Line Officially Lands Chris Farley Biopic Package With Paul Walter Hauser Starring And Josh Gad Directing". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  13. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 1, 2024). "Paul Walter Hauser Joins Paramount's New Naked Gun Movie". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  14. ↑ Grobar, Matt (May 2, 2024). "Paul Walter Hauser Joins Marvel's Fantastic Four". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  15. ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 10, 2024). "Bruce Springsteen Pic Deliver Me From Nowhere Adds Paul Walter Hauser To Ensemble Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  16. ↑ Grobar, Matt (June 20, 2024). "Mark Wahlberg & Paul Walter Hauser To Star In Amazon MGM Action Comedy Balls Up From Peter Farrelly". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  17. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (May 9, 2024). "Paul Walter Hauser Starring In Game Show Drama Press Your Luck; Walton Goggins, Maisie Williams & More Join Ensemble Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  18. ↑ Irvin, Jack (July 8, 2022). "Paul Walter Hauser on How God Led Him to Create New EP 'Murder for Higher' as Alter Ego Signet Ringer". People . Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ Rose, Bryan (November 6, 2023). "Actor Paul Walter Hauser to make in-ring debut at Wrestling Revolver event". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online .
  20. ↑ Wrestling REVOLVER (November 21, 2023). Cobra Kai star Paul Walter Hauser makes Pro Wrestling debut! | Wrestling REVOLVER . Retrieved July 27, 2025– via YouTube.
  21. ↑ "Matt Cardona Gets Slammed Through Flaming Table, Loses To Paul Walter Hauser". Yahoo Entertainment. March 17, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  22. ↑ Staszewski, Joseph (April 3, 2024). "Inside Paul Walter Hauser's head-first dive into pro wrestling that includes date with 'Death Machine'". NYpost.com.
  23. ↑ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Paul Walter Hauser: Matches". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Paul Walter Hauser: MLW Profile". MLW.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  25. ↑ Roy, Bishal (June 28, 2024). "Paul Walter Hauser 'Excited' After Being Added To MLW Roster". SEScoops.
  26. ↑ read, Anthony Sulla-HeffingerStaff writer·10 min (March 13, 2025). "'Know that my heart is in it': Paul Walter Hauser is a crossover wrestling star unlike any we've seen before". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved July 27, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ↑ "Paul Walter Hauser To Face Joey Janela At DEFY Event". Yahoo Entertainment. January 21, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Paul Walter Hauser Wins PROGRESS Proteus Title". Cultaholic Wrestling. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  29. ↑ Jay, Ella (July 22, 2025). "Paul Walter Hauser Wears Pro Wrestling Championship On Fantastic Four Blue Carpet". Wrestlezone. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  30. ↑ All Elite Wrestling [@AEW] (August 9, 2025). "#AEWCollision 8ET / 7CT, TNT + HBO Max TONIGHT! After his multiple box office successes, Golden Globe winner + Emmy Award winner Paul Walter Hauser will join @TonySchiavone24 & @McGuinnessNigelon commentary! Tune into Saturday Night Collision at 8/7c on TNT + HBO Max, TONIGHT!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 9, 2025– via Twitter.
  31. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (August 21, 2025). "Paul Walter Hauser To Face QT Marshall In A Fight Without Honor At ROH Death Before Dishonor". Fightful. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Paul Walter Hauser". TV Guide . Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  33. 1 2 Seidl, Jonathon M. (January 11, 2024). "How Actor Paul Hauser Wasn't Too Far Gone for God". I Am Second . Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  34. ↑ "The 3rd Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards Nominations". Hollywood Creative Alliance . November 25, 2019. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
    Variety Staff (January 9, 2020). "1917 Wins Best Picture at 3rd Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards". Variety . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  35. ↑ Neglia, Matt (July 1, 2021). "The 2021 Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Midseason Awards Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  36. ↑ Schneider, Michael (January 8, 2024). "The Boys, Succession Land Most Honors at Astra TV Awards — Full Winners List". Variety . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  37. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (December 12, 2024). "NATAS Reveals Nominees for 3rd Annual Children's and Family Emmy Awards". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 6, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  38. ↑ Huff, Lauren (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards 2023: The full winners list". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  39. ↑ Gonzalez, John (December 9, 2019). "Detroit Film Critics Society names Parasite, Marriage Story, The Irishman as top films in 2019". MLive Media Group . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  40. ↑ AwardsWatch (April 9, 2021). "Garden State Film Festival Victory + Award Winners". Filmfestivals.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
    "The Garden State Film Festival 2021 Winners" (PDF). Garden State Film Festival . Archived (PDF) from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  41. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 10, 2023). "Golden Globes: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  42. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 11, 2019). "The 2019 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
    Anderson, Erik (December 15, 2019). "Indiana Film Journalists Association name Marriage Story Best Film". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  43. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 3, 2019). "The Irishman Named Best Film By National Board Of Review, Quentin Tarantino Wins Best Director". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  44. ↑ Phillips, Jevon; Braxton, Greg (January 15, 2024). "2023 Emmy Awards: The list of winners". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  45. ↑ Zhan, Jennifer (April 4, 2021). "Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, The Crown Win Big at This Year's 2021 SAG Awards". Vulture . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  46. ↑ Delbyck, Cole (February 27, 2023). "Here Are All the Winners of the 2023 SAG Awards". Netflix . Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  47. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 9, 2019). "The 2019 Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
    Butler, Karen (December 9, 2019). "Women Film Critics Circle hails Harriet, Portrait as best films of 2019". United Press International . Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  48. ↑ "Paul Walter Hauser Wins PROGRESS Proteus Title". Cultaholic Wrestling. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
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