Paul Coates

{{short description|American print and television journalist (1921–1968)}}

{{for|the publisher|Paul Coates (publisher)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Paul Coates

| image =

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| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|03|10}}

| birth_place = New York, New York

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1968|11|16|1921|03|10}}

| death_place = West Hollywood, California

| othername =

| occupation = Television host and columnist

| yearsactive = 1953 to 1968

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Paul V. Coates (March 10, 1921 – November 16, 1968) was an American print and television journalist. He was known for his popular daily newspaper column and as the host of the syndicated tabloid-style television series Confidential File, developed by Coates and Irvin Kershner (1923–2010).

Coates suffered a massive stroke in 1966 which left the right side of his body paralyzed and his speech severely impaired. Initially given a 50% chance of survival, Coates made a recovery in less than a year, regaining his speech and returning to work in April, 1967.{{cite news

| title = Paul Coates, Newspaper Columnist, Dies

| work = The Salt Lake Tribune

| page = A9

| publisher = Los Angeles Times Service

| date = 1968-11-17 }} However, he died a year later.