Paul Adelstein

Paging Dr. Cooper Freedman. Paul Adelstein was destined for TV, but let’s start at the beginning. Rather than earning a theater degree, Adelstein actually graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine - as a Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude - with an English degree. He definitely has a way with words, and has proven that several times on television. He first began his acting career at New Crime Productions, John Cusack's company. Later on, he studied with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. He’s starred in a variety of TV series including “Cupid,” “The Lyon’s Den,” “Scrubs,” “Medium,” among many others. The two characters that really put him on the map were his roles as Paul Kellerman on “Prison Break” and Dr. Cooper Freedman on “Private Practice.” Fans immediately fell in love with Adelstein’s performances. He was never supposed to be Cooper, because he was originally cast as Dr. Preston Burke in “Grey’s Anatomy.” He dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. It’s a good thing he starred in “Private Practice,” since he was able to spend time with co-star and friend Kate Walsh. They’ve been friends since the early ‘90s, when both were trying to make it in Hollywood. Acting isn’t Adelstein’s only success; he’s quite the accomplished singer. Along with nine other musicians, he is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Doris. Their most current album, “All the Details, was released in 2012. Adelstein has even composed original music for New Crime Productions, the Defiant Theatre and Live Bait Theatre. If that’s not enough, he also wrote original songs for “Mullitt,” an HBO short film that was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. He is truly an accomplished artist. In 2006, Adelstein married “Gilmore Girls” actress Liza Weil (she played Paris Geller). In 2010, they welcomed their first child, daughter Josephine.