Paulo Costanzo
A versatile Canadian character actor who built a career on playing sharp, often neurotic sidekicks in cult comedies and smart TV dramas.
Born 1978 (age 48)·Canadian actor·Birthday: September 21·Generation X
Biography
Paulo Costanzo carved out a unique niche in Hollywood not as a leading man, but as the essential scene-stealing support. Born in 1978 in Brampton, Ontario, he broke through as the hapless Rubin in the raunchy college classic 'Road Trip,' a role that showcased his gift for anxious, quick-witted humor. This opened the door to a steady stream of memorable characters: the earnest alien Ax in 'Animorphs,' the scheming music exec in 'Josie and the Pussycats,' and perhaps most notably, the brilliantly high-strung medical concierge Evan Lawson on USA's 'Royal Pains.' For eight seasons, he was the comedic engine of that show, delivering rapid-fire dialogue with impeccable timing. Costanzo possesses a rare ability to make intelligence funny, often playing the smartest guy in the room who is also slightly unraveling, a quality he later brought to the political thriller 'Designated Survivor.' His career is a masterclass in building longevity through specific, memorable character work.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Paulo was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Paulo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Paulo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played the series regular role of Evan R. Lawson for all eight seasons of the hit USA Network show 'Royal Pains'.
- Portrayed Michael Tribbiani, Joey's nephew, in the 'Friends' spin-off series 'Joey'.
- Starred as Lyor Boone in the final two seasons of the ABC political drama 'Designated Survivor'.
Did You Know?
He is of Italian descent.
He attended the prestigious Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto.
His first major film role was in 'The Big Hit' (1998) alongside Mark Wahlberg.
“I've always been drawn to characters who are a little off-center, a bit neurotic.”
