Paul Eckstein grew up in Brooklyn in the 70s and 80s; a jock, a child of hip-hop and the offspring of a professor and an artist. He graduated from Brown University with degrees in creative writing and international relations. He returned to New York and pursued careers as an actor/director.  Paul fulfilled his dream performing on Broadway in “Mulebone” and “King John” in Shakespeare in the Park as well as founding the acclaimed theater company Naked Angels.  He also produced live fundraising events for the non-profit Project ALS where he raised over 17 million dollars. Then he went back to his first creative love – writing.

This is Paul’s second time telling the story of Bumpy Johnson after co-producing the film “Hoodlum.” Paul recently wrote and produced ABC’s biblical event series “Of Kings and Prophets”.  Prior to that he led the writer’s room of the Golden Globe nominated Netflix drama “Narcos” for Chris Brancato. Paul wrote the final season of “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” as well as the critically acclaimed Showtime show “Street Time”.  Paul’s other TV writing credits include “Dead Zone” and three seasons on sci-fi channel’s “First Wave” where he wrote for executive producer Francis Ford Coppola.

Paul produced and/or directed reality TV and docs like “Roller Girls” for A & E, “Chuck D’s Musician’s Studio” for Sundance, “Great American Christmas Story” for USA and “FACES of HIV” for the NAACP. Paul was published in High Times Magazine, where his non-fiction article “Busted for a Roach” is a classic.  Also, he wrote, “Do yoga, shit won’t break” for LA Yoga Journal.

Though Paul lives in Venice Los Angeles with his rock star yoga teacher wife and two overwhelming sons, he can be found in Brooklyn a lot and is still a die-hard Knicks fan.