Paul Adelstein was born on April 29, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated at Bowdoin College where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English. He then launched his career in theatre, working with New Crime Productions, and later with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His film debut was in 1990 when he appeared in the movie The Grifters. In 1997 he appeared in the movie Peoria Babylon and moved on to appear on television series like Cupid, ER, Without a Trace, and Scrubs. In 2003 Adelstein played Steven Kellerman in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and was shortly cast for the role of Paul Kellerman in the television series Prison Break, a role he is most known for. Adelstein also sings, doing the lead for the band Doris.