Early life and education

Paolo was born in New York City, the son of Julia Mendelson, a vocal coach and classical pianist, and Colin Paolo, a writer and screenwriter. He attended, beginning in 2006, the Professional Performing Arts School alongside Sarah Hyland, Paul Iacono and Taylor Momsen. He took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Paolo also attended Appel Farm Arts and Music Center Summer Arts Camp located in Elmer, New Jersey for several summers. He attended New York University for one semester in Fall 2008.

Career

He played a preteen murderer-rapist in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He made his motion picture debut in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated Mystic River, playing Young Sean. In 2004, Paolo was on One Life to Live as Travis O'Connell, a recurring character. Paolo also made a return appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing a disturbed teenager based on the real case of Justin Berry. Other films include World Trade Center for Oliver Stone in 2006; Snow Angels, directed by David Gordon Green; and Favorite Son, his first leading role.

Paolo has a background in theatre and commercials. He has appeared on the Broadway stage in the hit musical The Full Monty and off-Broadway in the New York public theater production of Shakespeare's Richard III. He played Bottom in an abridged production of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.

From 2007 to 2011, Paolo had a supporting role on The CW's series Gossip Girl, where he played Eric van der Woodsen, the brother of lead Serena van der Woodsen's character. His last appearance was in the sixth season.

In 2010, he starred in the vampire apocalypse film Stake Land directed by Jim Mickle.

In April 2011, Paolo joined the cast of ABC's dramatic series Revenge. In August 2011, Paolo stated that he would be taking on the new series Revenge full-time and his character Eric van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl would no longer appear on the show. He, however, returned to Gossip Girl for a brief appearance during the series finale. Paolo exited Revenge in May 2013, after his character was killed in the second season finale.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2003	Mystic River	Young Sean Devine
2004	Alexander	Young Alexander
2006	World Trade Center	Steven McLoughlin	Nominated—Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor
2007	Snow Angels	Warren Hardesky
2008	Favorite Son	Ross
2009	Winning Season, TheThe Winning Season	Damon
2010	Camp Hope	Jack
2010	Stake Land	Martin
2016	Outlaw	Connor	In post-production
2016	Like Lambs	Mick Springfield
2016	Friend Request	Kobe	In post-production

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2002	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Zachary Connor	Episode: "Juvenile"
2004	One Life to Live	Travis O'Connell	16 episodes
2006	Law & Order: Special Victims Unit	Teddy Winnock	Episode: "Web"
2007-12	Gossip Girl	Eric van der Woodsen	53 episodes
2010	Mercy	Everett Cone	Episode: "I Did Kill You, Didn't I?"
2011-13	Revenge	Declan Porter	Main cast (seasons 1-2); 43 episodes
2016	Rush Hour	Henry	Episode: "Welcome Back, Carter"

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2006	Bully	Tom	Voice

Music videos

Artist	Song
The Pretty Reckless	My Medicine

[ Source: Wikipedia ]