Paul Aaron

Paul Aaron
Born (1943-04-23) April 23, 1943
Hoosick Falls, New York, U.S.
EducationBennington College
Occupations
  • Director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Spouse
Patricia Taylor
​
​
(m. 1970; div. 1971)​
RelativesKeanu Reeves (step-son)[1]
AwardsSee below

Paul Aaron (born April 23, 1943) is an American director, producer, and screenwriter, who has worked variously in theatre, film, and television.

Life and career

Aaron was born Hoosick Falls, New York and graduated from Bennington College in 1966.[2]

Theatre

After directing a touring production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie starring Kim Hunter, he became the Casting and New Programs Director for the Mark Taper Forum, where he founded an actors' workshop and directed several plays.[3] His revival of The Tenth Man, starring Richard Dreyfuss, earned him a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for Best Director in 1977.[4]

In 1969, he directed Peter Link's Off-Broadway rock musical Salvation.[5] The following year, he made his Broadway debut directing Paris Is Out!, with Sam Levene and Molly Picon. His other Broadway directing credits included the Kander and Ebb musical 70, Girls, 70 (1971)[5] and the revue That's Entertainment (1972).[6]

Film and TV

His film directorial debut was 1978's A Different Story. The following year, he directed the Chuck Norris action film A Force of One. He also co-wrote the story for Norris' 1980 film The Octagon. His other film include Deadly Force (1983), Maxie (1985), and Morgan Stewart's Coming Home (1987). Aaron was nominated for a Directors Guild of America Award for the 1979 made-for-television adaptation of The Miracle Worker. He has directed several other telefilms, and wrote and produced the short-lived drama series Under One Roof with James Earl Jones.

Personal life

Aaron is the stepfather of actor Keanu Reeves.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Functioned as Notes Ref.
Director Producer Writer
1978 A Different Story Yes No No [8]
1979 A Force of One Yes No No [9]
1980 The Octagon No No Yes Story by [10]
1983 Deadly Force Yes No No [11]
1985 Maxie Yes No No [12]
1987 Morgan Stewart's Coming Home Yes No No Credited as 'Alan Smithee' [13]
1991 Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey No Yes No Co-producer [14]
1999 In Too Deep No No Yes [15]
2006 Looking for Sunday No Yes No
2007 Skills like This No Yes No
2016 Devi No No Yes

Television

Year Title Functioned as Notes Ref.
Director Producer Writer
1966 12 O'Clock High No No No Actor; as Corporal
Episode: "Cross-Hairs on Death"
1986 The Magical World of Disney No Exec. No Episode: "Casebusters"
1995 Under One Roof No Exec. Yes 2 episodes

TV films and miniseries

Year Title Functioned as Ref.
Director Producer Writer
1979 The Miracle Worker Yes No No [16]
1981 Thin Ice Yes No No
1982 Maid in America Yes No No
1984 When She Says No Yes No No [17]
1987 In Love and War Yes No No [18]
Free Spirit Yes No No
1988 Save the Dog! Yes Exec. No
1993 Laurel Avenue No Exec. Yes
1994 Untamed Love Yes No No
1996 Grand Avenue No Exec. No

Stage credits (partial)

Year Title Functioned as Venue Notes Ref.
Director Producer
1969–70 Salvation Yes No Jan Hus Playhouse, New York City [5]
1970 Paris Is Out! Yes No Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City [5]
1971 70, Girls, 70 Yes No Broadhurst Theatre, New York City [5]
1971-72 Love Me, Love My Children Yes Yes Mercer-O'Casey Theatre, New York City [19][20]
1972 That's Entertainment Yes No Edison Theatre, New York City [6]
1973 Ring-a-Levio Yes No Studio Arena Theatre, New York City [21]
Molly Yes No Alvin Theatre, New York City Replaced before opening [22]
1974 The Burnt Flowerbed Yes No Roundabout Theatre, New York City [23]
1977 The Tenth Man Yes No Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles [4]
1979 The Miracle Worker Yes No Royal Poinciana Playhouse, Palm Beach [5]
1981 A Talent for Murder Yes No Biltmore Theatre, New York City [24]

Awards and nominations

Institution Year Category Work Result
Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 1986 Silver Raven Maxie Won
Directors Guild of America Awards 1980 Specials/Movies for TV/Actuality The Miracle Worker Nominated
Fantasporto 1987 Best Film Maxie Nominated
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle[4] 1977 Best Direction The Tenth Man Won

References

  1. ↑ Shaprio, Marc (2020). Keanu Reeves' Excellent Adventure – An Unauthorized Biography. New York: Riverdale Avenue Books. pp. 6, 9, 15, 23, 28. ISBN 9781626015609.
  2. ↑ Wilson, Oceana. "LibGuides: Bennington College History: Drama: Productions, Workshops, Lectures 1990-1999". libraryguides.bennington.edu. Retrieved 2026-07-02. Paul Aaron, '66 director, producer, and screenwriter, will talk about screenwriting. (1994-04-06) College Week 04-01.
  3. ↑ Gallery, Film Art. "Aaron, Paul". Film Art Gallery. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  4. 1 2 3 "1969 – 1979 Awards". Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. 2026-06-29. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Paul Aaron". About the Artists.
  6. 1 2 Clive Barnes (April 15, 1972). "Theater: 'Entertainment'". The New York Times. p. 19.
  7. ↑ Shapiro, Marc (2020). Keanu Reeves' Excellent Adventure – An Unauthorized Biography. New York: Riverdale Avenue Books. ISBN 9781626015609.
  8. ↑ Maslin, Janet (14 June 1978). "Film: 'A Different Story':Caught in Switches". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "A Force of One". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  10. ↑ "The Octagon". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  11. ↑ "Deadly Force". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  12. ↑ "Maxie". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  13. ↑ "MORGAN STEWART'S COMING HOME (1987)". American Film Institute. 13 February 1987. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  15. ↑ Seymour, Gene (25 August 1999). "Cop Thriller 'In Too Deep' Rises Above Formulaic Plot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  16. ↑ "32nd DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  17. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (1984-01-30). "TV REVIEWS ; COMPLICATED CASE OF RAPE ON ABC". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  18. ↑ O'Connor, John (16 March 1987). "TV REVIEWS; JAMES WOODS 'IN LOVE AND WAR'". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  19. ↑ "Swerdlow Musical Closing". The New York Times. 1972-04-21. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  20. ↑ "Love Me, Love My Children (Original Off-Broadway Production, 1971) | Ovrtur: Database of Musical Theatre History". ovrtur.com. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  21. ↑ "Ring-a-Levio (World Premiere, 1973) | Ovrtur: Database of Musical Theatre History". ovrtur.com. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  22. ↑ "Molly (Original Broadway Production, 1973) | Ovrtur: Database of Musical Theatre History". ovrtur.com. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  23. ↑ "Events Today". The New York Times. 1974-07-02. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-02. THE BURNT FLOWER BED, a play by Ugo Bettl. Directed by Paul Aaron. Starring Paul Sparer. At the Roundabout Theater, 307 West 26 Street, at 8.
  24. ↑ "A Talent for Murder – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
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