Paul Schackman grew up in Los Angeles. He is the oldest of two boys. Prior to acting he was, among other things, a competitive swimmer, a horseback riding instructor and a door to door encyclopedia salesman. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego where he began as a "pre-med" student. It was at UCSD where he stumbled into an acting class which inspired him to pursue a career as a professional actor. He has starred in and directed numerous theater productions. In 2004 he received critical acclaim as the Doctor in a revival of Tom Cole's Medal Of Honor Rag. He starred opposite the late Heavy D in a production directed by Delroy Lindo. From his television debut on the original Beverly Hills 90210 he has gone on to work in dozens of films and television shows. He played the iconic film composer Bernard Herrmann in the film Hitchcock opposite Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins. He also worked opposite Steve Carell In Woody Allen's Café Society. Paul is also a well respected Hollywood acting teacher and coach.