Paul Tazewell Biography – Costume Designer

Last updated on March 26th, 2022 at 04:09 pm

Paul Tazewell is a well-renowned costume designer. He has designed dresses for opera, broadway, theater, film, and television. In addition, he has more than twenty-five years of experience.

The designer has gained massive recognition and numerous awards for his works. For instance, he has won a BAFTA Award, four Helen Hayes Awards, and The Princess Grace Award. Moreover, he has been nominated for West Side Story for the 2022 Academy Awards.

So, let’s learn more about Tazewell’s family, job, wife, and kids in this biography.

Paul Tazewell’s Mom Influenced His Creative Side

The costume designer was born Paul Gregory Tazewell on September 15, 1964, in Akron, Ohio, USA. He grew up in a loving home with three siblings. In addition, Paul Tazewell’s father was a research chemist for Firestone.

Similarly, Paul Tazewell’s mother, Barbara Tazewell, was a teacher who loved to sew. She creates art, particularly vibrant mixed-media collages or watercolor paintings. In addition, Paul’s mom influenced his creative side and taught him drawing and sewing.

Tazewell’s brother, Jonathan Tazewell, is a professor of Drama and Art at Kenyon College. He has two more siblings.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paul G. Tazewell (@paultazewell)

The young guy initially wanted to be an actor. However, while working on school productions, he developed an interest in creating costumes. So, Paul switched from Pratt Institute to the North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue costume designing.

Tazewell graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1986. He also holds an MFA from New York University.

ALSO READ: More About Costume Designer Jenny Beavan

Paul Tazewell Net Worth And Career

Paul Tazewell’s net worth is heavily influenced by his costume design career. His income benefits from designing costumes for theatres, movies, Broadway shows, tv series, etc.

The designer began his Broadway career with musicals Break in Da Noise and Break in ‘Da Funk. He soon moved to design for The Metropolitan Opera, The Bolshoi Ballet, Theatre du Chatelet, Arena Stage, Houston Grand Opera, etc.

Paul’s first movie work was Elaine Stritch at Liberty in 2002. He has since worked on numerous projects whose release dates are listed below:

Films	Release Date
The Tempest	June 14, 2012
The Wiz! Live	December 3, 2015
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert	April 2018
Harriet	November 1, 2019
Hamilton	July 3, 2020

Tazewell got much recognition after designing dresses for West Side Story. It grossed $73,818,979 worldwide and earned him nominations from Oscars, Black Reel Awards, Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, etc. Moreover, the movie’s cinematographer Janusz Kaminski also earned an Oscar nomination.

Paul must have had his fair share working in such a commercially successful movie. Salary.com states the average income of a costume designer is $40,630. So, Tazewell’s salary might also be around that range.

Thus, Paul Tazewell’s net worth must be a considerable sum from his profession.

Is Paul Tazewell Married?

Tazewell was married to the love of his life, Michael McAleer who was also involved in costume design and worked in The Color Purple and In The Heights. The pair hadn’t precisely shared how they were introduced to each other. Still, both must have met while working in the same field.

In addition, the couple married on December 25, 2015. Both were enjoying marital bliss in Westchester County.

Sadly, Paul Tazewell’s husband, Michael, passed away on August 18, 2018. His family hasn’t revealed the cause behind his untimely demise. In addition, Paul often reminisces about his late partner on his death anniversary on social media. The duo didn’t have any children.

So, has Tazewell moved on with a new partner? Unfortunately, he hasn’t talked much about his current boyfriend or dating status. Hopefully, he might give more insight into his love life in the future.

• Barbara Tazewell Celebrity Romance Janusz Kaminski Jonathan Tazewell Kenyon College Michael McAleer Movies Celebrity Biography New York University North Carolina School of the Arts Paul Gregory Tazewell Paul Tazewell Pratt Institute