Paul Adelstein (born April 29, 1969) is an American actor, writer, and producer. He has an estimated net worth of \$2 million in 2025. He is known for his role as Paul Kellerman in Fox’s hit drama, Prison Break, and Dr. Cooper Freedman in ABC’s Private Practice. Barry Levinson’s movie, Sleepers, helped kick off his 30-year career in show business and provided a degree of notoriety in the industry.
Along his journey, he also co-created the television series Imposters and produced episodes of Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce. Presently, he works as an actor on television and films. His career has allowed him to achieve career notoriety as an actor, writer, producer, and even musician in the entertainment industry.
Paul Adelstein early life & education
Paul Adelstein was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 29, 1969 to a Reform Jewish family. He attended the prestigious Francis W. Parker School, then attended Bowdoin College in Maine and received a degree in English, graduating summa cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
After graduation, he pursued acting, first beginning at John Cusack’s New Crime Productions and then at the well-known Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.
Paul Adelstein television career
Adelstein’s television career began in the mid-1990’s with guest roles in the shows ER, The Pretender and Law & Order: SVU. He had a moment in his career that defined him in the year 2005 as he was a cast member of the show Prison Break that featured the morally ambiguous Paul Kellerman, appearing in over forty episodes as a member of the cast for multiple seasons.
Notable television roles:
Prison Break (2005–2017) – Paul Kellerman
Private Practice (2007–2013)—Dr. Cooper Freedman
Scandal (2013–2017) – Leo Bergen
Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (2014–2018) – Jake Novak (on top of serving as producer & writer)
Imposters (2017–2018) – Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Actor
Chicago P.D. (2019–2020) – Jason Crawford
Cruel Summer (2023) – Steve Chambers
Peoria Babylon, Get Shorty, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, True Story, Agatha All Along – Guest or Recurring
As a result of his ability to be a versatile television actor, he was able to successfully work in various genres, be it crime series, half-hour sitcoms, political thrillers or medical dramas.
Film Career
Paul Adelstein also hits strides, as he was able to consistently fill in for independent projects and be part of box office hits throughout the year. Notable Films:
The Grifters (1990)—Debut film performance.
Bedazzled (2000)—Comedy fantasy.
Collateral (2004)—Supporting alongside Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx.
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)—Period drama.
Be Cool (2005)—Crime comedy.
Puzzle (2018)—Drama with Kelly Macdonald.
Brightburn (2019)—Horror superhero film.
Greenland (2020)—Disaster thriller with Gerard Butler.
The Menu (2022)—Buzzworthy horror comedy with Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy.
We Strangers (2024) and For Worse (2025)—new projects that expand his indie film resume.
His filmography truly reflects a balance of mainstream appeal and commitment to a smaller, story-driven reel of projects.
Music Career
In addition to acting, Adelstein also has a music career. He sings and plays guitar and has begun writing songs for his band Doris, which has several released albums. This artistic outlet displays his range beyond Hollywood.
Personal Life
Paul specifically married actress Liza Weil (who starred in Gilmore Girls and How to Get Away with Murder) in 2006. The couple gave birth to their daughter Josephine in 2010 and later divorced in 2017.
Adelstein has often spoken about how much he loves Los Angeles after moving there in 2003, of course, he maintains his lifelong fandom of the Cleveland Browns, despite growing up in Chicago.
Paul Adelstein’s Net Worth Growth
A financial recap means that Adelstein has a net worth of approximately \$2 million, in large part due to his work in
Major network TV shows (Prison Break, Private Practice, Scandal)
Writing and producing (Imposters, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce)
Film exposures, in both hit movies and indie hits.
His varied music career with Doris adds to it.
His ability to succeed in various careers in a highly competitive field has further stabilized his craft and finances.
FAQs About Paul Adelstein
What is Paul Adelstein’s net worth
As of 2025, his net worth approximately reached \$2 million.
What is Paul Adelstein best known for
He is best known for his role as Paul Kellerman on Prison Break and for Dr. Cooper Freedman on Private Practice.
Has Paul Adelstein created any shows?
Yes, he co-creates. Bravo’s dark comedy series Imposters and worked as a writer/producer on Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce.
What movies did Paul Adelstein appear in?
His film credits include Collateral (2004), Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), The Menu (2022), and For Worse (2025).
Was Paul Adelstein married?
Yes, he was married to actress Liza Weil from 2006-2017; they have one daughter named Josephine.
Does Paul Adelstein have a music career?
Yes, he is the lead singer of Doris and plays guitar as well.
