Paula Patton

{{Infobox person

| name = Paula Patton

| image = File:Paula Patton by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| caption = Patton in 2015

| birth_name = Paula Maxine Patton

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|12|5}}

| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| other_names = Max

| alma_mater = University of Southern California (BA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress}}

| nationality = American

| years_active = 2005–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Robin Thicke|2005|2015|reason=divorced}}

| children = 1

}}

Paula Maxine Patton (born December 5, 1975){{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/paula-patton-21396445|title=Paula Patton - Actress|work=The Biography.com website|publisher=A&E Networks|access-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402131317/https://www.biography.com/people/paula-patton-21396445|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=dead}} is an American actress and producer. Patton made her feature film debut in the 2005 comedy Hitch, and has had starring roles in the films Déjà Vu (2006), Precious (2009), Jumping the Broom (2011), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), 2 Guns (2013), Warcraft (2016), and Sacrifice (2019).

Early life and education

Patton was born in Los Angeles, California, to Joyce (née Vanraden), a school teacher, and Charles Patton, a lawyer. Her mother is of German and Dutch descent,{{cite interview|title=Paula Patton Talks Race|date=December 5, 2018|work=Karen Hunter Show|interviewer=Karen Hunter|url-status=bot: unknown|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvx6NadtO5o&t=30s|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008031545/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvx6NadtO5o&t=30s|archive-date=October 8, 2022|access-date=October 8, 2022}} and her father is African-American.{{cite web|url=http://www.moviehole.net/200814494-exclusive-interview-paula-patton|title=Exclusive Interview : Paula Patton|last=Fischer|first=Paul|work=Moviehole.net|date=August 1, 2008|access-date=June 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809172310/http://www.moviehole.net/200814494-exclusive-interview-paula-patton|archive-date=August 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/paula-patton-offers-precious-performance-earns-aspen-film-honor/|title=Paula Patton offers 'Precious' performance, earns Aspen Film honor|last=Oksenhorn|first=Stewart|work=The Aspen Times|date=September 30, 2009|access-date=November 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a19985167/precious-movie/|title=Paula Patton: Precious star Paula Patton reveals all|last=Evans|first=Rory|work=Women's Health|date=January 26, 2010|access-date=August 25, 2019}} She graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School, and then started college at University of California, Berkeley, transferring to University of Southern California's Film School after her first year. Shortly after completing her studies, she won a three-month assignment making documentaries for PBS.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/446719/Paula-Patton/biography|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109113043/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/446719/Paula-Patton/biography|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2014|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|author=Cammila Collar|date=2014|title=Paula Patton|access-date=August 6, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/paula-patton/bio/282044/|title=Paula Patton Biography|work=TV Guide|access-date=November 4, 2018}}

Career

Patton provided additional vocals for Usher on his 2004 album Confessions. She provided the female vocal counterpart on the song "Can U Handle It?" which was co-written by Robin Thicke, whom she would later marry.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/confessions-mw0000696433/credits|title=Confessions: Usher|work=AllMusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=April 10, 2019}} Patton has song-writing credits on multiple Robin Thicke albums under the name "Max", derived from her middle name (Maxine). Patton made her film debut with a small part in the 2005 romantic comedy film Hitch, alongside Will Smith.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/movies/137675_Five_Fun_Facts_About_Paula_Patton|title=5 Things You Don't Know About Paula Patton|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=May 18, 2018}} In the same year, she followed that with a small part in the drama film London. In 2006, she appeared alongside OutKast members Andre Benjamin and Big Boi in the musical film Idlewild written and directed by Bryan Barber.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20060818/features/paulapatton.shtml|title=IDLEWILD: An Interview with Paula Patton|work=Blackfilm.com|date=August 2006|access-date=October 10, 2014}}

Patton's big break came in 2006 when she landed the pivotal female lead role of Claire Kuchever in the science fiction thriller Déjà Vu alongside Denzel Washington.{{cite web|url=http://movies.about.com/od/dejavu/a/dejavupp111606.htm|title=Paula Patton Talks About "Deja Vu"|last=Murray|first=Rebecca|work=About.com|access-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013213657/http://movies.about.com/od/dejavu/a/dejavupp111606.htm|archive-date=October 13, 2008|url-status=dead}} The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a box office hit, grossing over {{US$|180 million}} worldwide.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=dejavu06.htm|title=Deja Vu (2006)|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 25, 2015}} She also appeared in her then-husband Robin Thicke's "Lost Without You" video in 2006.{{YouTube|0DdCoNbbRvQ|Robin Thicke - Lost Without U}} In an interview with Hot 97 Paula revealed on Ebro in the Morning that she ghostwrote with her ex-husband Robin Thicke under the name Max Haddington. In 2008, Patton played television reporter Kate Madison in the comedy-drama Swing Vote alongside Kevin Costner and Amy Carson, the wife of Ben (Kiefer Sutherland) in the supernatural horror film Mirrors. In Lee Daniels's critically acclaimed drama film Precious (2009), she played Ms. Blu Rain, a teacher at the alternative high school in Harlem, New York, who teaches and mentors disadvantaged students, including the titular character, Claireece Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe). She later co-starred as Queen Latifah's character's god-sister in the romantic comedy Just Wright (2010).{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/just_wright/|title=Just Wright|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=May 14, 2010|access-date=March 23, 2018}}

File:Tom Cruise,Anil Kapoor and Paula Patton From The Special Screening of 'Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol'.jpg and Anil Kapoor at the screening of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol in 2011]]

In late 2010, it was announced that Patton would succeed Sharon Stone as the new full time assistant district attorney on the NBC crime drama series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/paula-patton-svu-1020796/|title=Precious Star Paula Patton Is Law & Order: SVU's New ADA|last=O'Connor|first=Mickey|work=TV Guide|date=July 21, 2010|access-date=November 5, 2018}}{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/23/law-order-svu-paula-patton/|title='Law & Order: SVU' exclusive: 'Precious' star circling new ADA post|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 23, 2010|access-date=September 9, 2019}} When Patton was cast in the lead female role in action film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, however, her role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit was reduced to one episode. She was replaced by Melissa Sagemiller.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/10/melissa-sagemiller-replace-paula-patton-on-law-and-order-svu|title=Melissa Sagemiller to Replace Paula Patton on 'Law and Order: SVU'|last=Harnick|first=Chris|work=TVSquad.com|date=September 10, 2010|access-date=October 4, 2010}} Mission: Impossible was released on December 16, 2011, and was a critical and commercial success, grossing almost {{US$|700 million|link=yes}} worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mi4.htm|title=Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=November 5, 2018}} Also in 2011, Patton played the leading role in the comedy film Jumping the Broom.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jumpingthebroom.htm|title=Jumping the Broom (2011) - Box Office Mojo|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 26, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/05/movie-projector-thor-something-borrowed-jumping-the-broom-beaver.html|title=Movie Projector: 'Thor' to hammer competition at the box office|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 5, 2011|access-date=December 21, 2018}}

In 2013, Patton co-starred alongside Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg in the action comedy film 2 Guns, and starred in the leading role in the romantic comedy film Baggage Claim. The latter film received negative reviews from numerous critics.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baggage_claim/|title=Baggage Claim|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=March 23, 2018}} On February 24, 2015, it was announced that Patton was cast as lead character in the ABC crime drama pilot Runner.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/paula-patton-toplines-abc-pilot-runner-1201380079/|title=Paula Patton Cast As Lead In ABC Pilot 'Runner' - Deadline|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=November 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/paula-patton-runner-cast-abc-pilot-1201440105/|title=Paula Patton Lands Lead Role In ABC Drama Pilot 'Runner'|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|work=Variety|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=February 25, 2015}} It was not picked up to series.

In 2016, Patton starred in the romantic comedy film The Perfect Match, alongside Terrence Jenkins and Cassie Ventura, appeared alongside Adam Sandler and David Spade in direct-to-Netflix comedy film The Do-Over,{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/paula-patton-adam-sandler-david-spade-netflix-the-do-over-1201436022/|title=Paula Patton Joins Adam Sandler & David Spade In Netflix Comedy 'The Do Over' |last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=November 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/terrence-jenkins-paula-patton-star-805931|title=Terrence Jenkins, Paula Patton to Star in 'The Perfect Match' (Exclusive)|last=Siegel|first=Tatiana|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 1, 2015|access-date=October 9, 2018}} and starred as Garona Halforcen in the Warcraft film adaptation, released in June.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/12/05/ben-foster-and-dominic-cooper-head-for-warcraft|title=Ben Foster and Dominic Cooper Head for Warcraft|last=Collura|first=Scott|work=IGN|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=July 9, 2019}}

In January 2017, Patton was cast in the lead role of the ABC drama series Somewhere Between, which premiered as a mid-season replacement on July 24, 2017, and was cancelled after one season.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/paula-patton-star-abc-drama-somewhere-between-968967|title=Paula Patton to Star in ABC Straight-to-Series Drama 'Somewhere Between'|last1=Stanhope|first1=Kate|last2=Goldberg|first2=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 26, 2017|access-date=October 9, 2018}} In 2019, she starred in the BET+ first original film, Sacrifice.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/11/27/paula-patton-sacrifice-trailer-bet-movie/|title=Exclusive: Paula Patton is a boss lady you DON'T want to cross in wild 'Sacrifice' trailer|last=Nolfi|first=Joey|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 27, 2019|access-date=February 17, 2020}}

File:Paula Patton TIFF 2012.jpg Party at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival.]]

Personal life

In 1991, at age 15, Patton met recording artist Robin Thicke, who was then 14, at an under-21 hip-hop club called Balistyx (co-founded and co-hosted by David Faustino) on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, when Thicke asked her to dance.{{cite episode|title=Robin Thicke Interview|series=The Howard Stern Show|station=Howard 100|network=Sirius XM Satellite Radio|airdate=August 29, 2013}}{{cite episode|title=V-Intimate Nights with Robin Thicke! Q & A|series=V-Intimate Nights|network=Clear Channel Communications|station=V101.5 FM (WSOL-FM) (Jacksonville, Florida)|airdate=July 2, 2012}} According to Thicke, he sang Stevie Wonder's "Jungle Fever" to her as they danced. The couple did not begin dating until 1993{{cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/news/robin-thicke-on-loving-black-women-interracial-dating-and-pleasing-paula/|title=Exclusive: Robin Thicke on Loving Black Women, Interracial Dating, and Pleasing Paula|last=Penn|first=Charli|work=Essence|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=July 3, 2019}} and married on June 11, 2005. Patton gave birth to their son, Julian Fuego, on April 6, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/robin-thicke-and-paula-patton-welcome-a-son/|title=Robin Thicke and Paula Patton Welcome a Son|last=Cruz|first=Anne Marie|work=People|date=April 7, 2010|access-date=January 5, 2019}} They announced their separation on February 24, 2014, after 21 years together and almost nine years of marriage.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/showbiz/robin-thicke-paula-patton-separate|title=Robin Thicke and Paula Patton 'mutually' decide to split|last=Duke|first=Alan|work=CNN|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810012229/http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/showbiz/robin-thicke-paula-patton-separate|archive-date=August 10, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/02/24/robin-thicke-paula-patton-have-split/5786273|title=Robin Thicke, Paula Patton announce split|last=Clark|first=Cindy|work=USA Today|date=February 25, 2014|access-date=March 1, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/24/showbiz/robin-thicke-paula-patton-separate|title=Robin Thicke and Paula Patton 'mutually' decide to split|work=CNN|date=February 24, 2014|access-date=February 27, 2014}} On October 8, 2014, Patton officially filed for divorce and joint custody of their son.{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2014/10/08/paula-patton-robin-thicke-divorce-files-marriage-over/|title=Paula Patton Files For Divorce From Robin Thicke|last=McAfee|first=Tierney|work=Hollywood Life|date=October 8, 2014|access-date=August 18, 2018|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216103204/https://hollywoodlife.com/2014/10/08/paula-patton-robin-thicke-divorce-files-marriage-over/|url-status=dead}} The divorce was finalized on March 20, 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.thespec.com/whatson-story/5517514-robin-thicke-paula-patton-divorce-finalized/|title=Robin Thicke, Paula Patton divorce finalized|last=Oldenburg|first=Ann|work=The Hamilton Spectator|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=March 20, 2015}}

In January 2017, a judge denied Patton's request to limit Thicke's custody after she accused him of child abuse.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/robin-thicke-paula-patton-custody-battle-abuse-claims/|title=Paula Patton Accuses Robin Thicke of Abusively Spanking Their Son, Judge Denies Her Request to Limit Custody|last=Chiu|first=Melody|work=People|date=January 12, 2017|access-date=December 26, 2018}} Later that month, Patton was granted sole custody and a restraining order that included their son Julian and her mother Joyce Patton against Thicke after she accused him of domestic violence, infidelity, and drug and alcohol addiction. Patton and Thicke reached a custody agreement in August 2017.

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ Film
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
rowspan=2\| 2005 \| Hitch \| Mandy \|
London \| Alex \|
rowspan=2\| 2006 \| Idlewild \| Angel Davenport / Sally B. Shelly \|
Déjà Vu \| Claire Kuchever \|
rowspan=2\| 2008 \| Mirrors \| Amy Carson \|
Swing Vote \| Kate Madison \|
2009 \| Precious \| Ms. Blu Rain \|
2010 \| Just Wright \| Morgan Alexander \|
rowspan=2\| 2011 \| Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol \| Jane Carter \|
Jumping the Broom \| Sabrina Watson \|
2012 \| Disconnect \| Cindy Hull \|
rowspan=3\| 2013 \| 2 Guns \| Deb \|
Mercy \| Cynthia \| Short film
Baggage Claim \| Montana Moore \|
2014 \| About Last Night \| Allison \|
rowspan=4\| 2016 \| Past Forward \| Pursuing Photographer #2 \| Short film
The Perfect Match \| Sherry \| Also producer
The Do-Over \| Heather Fishman \|
Warcraft \| Garona Halforcen \|
2018 \| Traffik \| Brea \| Also producer
2020 \| Four Kids and It \| Alice \|

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Film

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

rowspan=2| 2005

| Hitch

| Mandy

London

| Alex

rowspan=2| 2006

| Idlewild

| Angel Davenport / Sally B. Shelly

Déjà Vu

| Claire Kuchever

rowspan=2| 2008

| Mirrors

| Amy Carson

Swing Vote

| Kate Madison

2009

| Precious

| Ms. Blu Rain

2010

| Just Wright

| Morgan Alexander

rowspan=2| 2011

| Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

| Jane Carter

Jumping the Broom

| Sabrina Watson

2012

| Disconnect

| Cindy Hull

rowspan=3| 2013

| 2 Guns

| Deb

Mercy

| Cynthia

| Short film

Baggage Claim

| Montana Moore

2014

| About Last Night

| Allison

rowspan=4| 2016

| Past Forward

| Pursuing Photographer #2

| Short film

The Perfect Match

| Sherry

| Also producer

The Do-Over

| Heather Fishman

Warcraft

| Garona Halforcen

2018

| Traffik

| Brea

| Also producer

2020

| Four Kids and It

| Alice

class="wikitable sortable" \|+ Television
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
2005 \| Murder Book \| Det. Angela Kellogg \| Unsold TV pilot
2010 \| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit \| A.D.A. Mikka Von \| Episode: "Wet"
2012 \| Single Ladies \| Layla Twilight \| Episodes: "The Business of Friendship" and "Fast Love"
2013 \| Sesame Street \| Herself \| Episode: "Best House of the Year"
2013 \|The View \|Herself / Guest Co-Hostess \|Episode: "Episode #17.7"
2015 \| Runner \| Lauren Marks \| Unsold TV pilot
2015 \| Project Runway \| Herself / Guest Judge \| Episode: "Haute Tech Couture"
2017 \| Somewhere Between \| Laura Price \| Main role; 10 episodes
2021 \| Sacrifice \| Daniella Hernandez \| Main role; 10 episodes
2022 \| Devil's Promise \| Jennifer \| 6 episodes
2024 \| Murder in a Small Town \| Dr. Elizabeth Lewis \| Episode: "The Madness Method"

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Television

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

2005

| Murder Book

| Det. Angela Kellogg

| Unsold TV pilot

2010

| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit