Paul Ben-Victor (born July 24, 1965) is a talented American actor recognized for his diverse roles in film and television. Originally named Paul Friedman, he hails from Brooklyn, New York, where he was raised by his mother, Leah Kornfeld, a playwright, and his father, Victor Friedman. Ben-Victor began his acting career in 1987 with a part in the made-for-TV movie "Blood Vows: The Story of a Mafia Wife," followed by an appearance on the iconic series "Cagney & Lacey."
After years of landing smaller roles, he gained prominence with pivotal performances in HBO's acclaimed series "The Wire" and "Entourage." He also made a memorable appearance as Coach Lou in the 2006 sitcom "My Name is Earl." One of his notable portrayals was Moe Howard in the 2000 biopic "The Three Stooges." Ben-Victor has showcased his versatility by appearing in numerous police dramas, including "Monk" and "CSI," and had a recurring role as the con artist Steve Richards on "NYPD Blue" from 1994 to 1997.
In addition to his on-screen work, Ben-Victor has collaborated with his mother on stage plays such as "Club Soda" and "The Good Steno," which were performed in Manhattan. He also starred in the Sci-Fi Channel's "The Invisible Man" alongside Vincent Ventresca, and they both guest-starred in the series "Las Vegas." In 2008, he supported Michael Madsen in the film "Clear Lake, WI," and also co-starred in the web series "Coma" for Crackle. Additionally, he appeared as Mr. Thurman on "Everybody Hates Chris."
