Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti is an American actor, born on June 6, 1967 in New Haven, Connecticut. He studied English at Yale University and then attended the Yale School of Drama, launching his acting career on stage. Giamatti has been recognized for his versatile performances in film and television. His breakthrough role came with the film American Splendor (2003), where he portrayed the role of comic book writer Harvey Pekar. Giamatti has since appeared in numerous critically acclaimed films, including Sideways (2004), for which he received an Oscar nomination. He has also appeared in successful films such as Cinderella Man (2005), 12 Years A Slave (2013) and Straight Outta Compton (2015). With his distinctive appearance and impeccable acting skills, Giamatti has become renowned for his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters.