Paul Johansson

Paul Joseph Otto Johansson (born January 30, 1964) is an American-Canadian actor, writer and director, best known for playing Dan Scott on the WB/CW television series, One Tree Hill, and for his role as Nick Wolfe on the short lived Highlander: The Series spin-off Highlander: The Raven. He directed the film version of Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged: Part I.

Life and career

Early life

Paul Johansson was born in Spokane, Washington, the son of ice hockey player Earl Johnson, but raised in Kelowna, B.C. He was an athlete like his father and played for the Canadian Olympic Basketball Team and for the University of British Columbia. After quitting basketball he began writing, which in turn led to acting.

Acting career

Johansson landed his first role on the popular soap opera Santa Barbara. He played Greg Hughes from 1989 to 1990. Soon he made appearances in other television shows such as Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Lonesome Dove.

Johansson became well-known to fans of 90210 for playing John Sears, a fraternity brother who unsuccessfully vied for the affections of Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) and set up Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering) to burglarize a professor's office. Sears was later blackballed from the fraternity for the incident. Johnasson's character did not return until the season 4 finale, where he attempted to humiliate Steve at every turn, only to be brought down by Steve's friends Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) and Donna Martin (Tori Spelling).