Paula Maxine Patton was born on December 5, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Joyce Vanraden, is a school teacher, and her father, Charles Patton, was a lawyer. She is of African-American, German, and English descent. Patton graduated from Hamilton High School and briefly attended the University of Southern California before transferring to and graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in film.
Patton began her career primarily behind the scenes, contributing vocals to Usher’s 2004 album “Confessions” and working on television documentaries. She also had minor acting roles on television shows like “Medical Investigation” and “Without a Trace.”
Patton’s breakthrough role came in 2005 with the romantic comedy “Hitch,” where she played Mandy, alongside Will Smith. This role significantly raised her profile and opened doors to more substantial film projects.
Patton has starred in a variety of films across different genres. Some of her most popular and critically acclaimed roles include: