What Happened to Paul Wesley?
Paul Wesley is an American actor, director, and producer widely recognized for his starring roles as Stefan Salvatore in 'The Vampire Diaries' and as James T. Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'. He recently married model Natalie Kuckenburg in July 2026 and continues to be active in both acting and directing, with new projects including a Hulu series alongside former co-star Nina Dobrev.
Quick Answer
Paul Wesley, best known for his roles as Stefan Salvatore in 'The Vampire Diaries' and James T. Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds', has maintained a prominent career in Hollywood. As of July 2026, he married model Natalie Kuckenburg, marking his third marriage. He is also set to reunite with Nina Dobrev for a new Hulu series, 'You Deserve to Know', and continues his portrayal of Captain Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds', with its fourth season premiering in July 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Television Debut in 'Another World'
Paul Wesley made his television debut as Sean McKinnon in the American soap opera 'Another World'.
Cast as Stefan Salvatore in 'The Vampire Diaries'
Wesley began his most iconic role as Stefan Salvatore in The CW's 'The Vampire Diaries', which ran until 2017.
Married Torrey DeVitto
Paul Wesley married actress Torrey DeVitto, whom he met on the set of 'Killer Movie'. They divorced in 2013.
Produced 'Before I Disappear'
Wesley served as a producer for the film 'Before I Disappear', which won the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival.
Began Directing 'The Vampire Diaries' and Founded Citizen Media
Wesley made his directorial debut on 'The Vampire Diaries' and also co-founded his production company, Citizen Media, signing a deal with Warner Bros. Television.
Joined 'Tell Me a Story'
Wesley joined the main cast of the CBS All Access psychological thriller series 'Tell Me a Story', created by Kevin Williamson.
Married Ines de Ramon
Paul Wesley married jewelry designer Ines de Ramon in a private ceremony. They separated in 2022 and their divorce was finalized in February 2024.
Co-launched Brother's Bond Bourbon
Wesley partnered with 'The Vampire Diaries' co-star Ian Somerhalder to launch their bourbon brand, Brother's Bond Bourbon.
Cast as James T. Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' and Linked to Natalie Kuckenburg
Wesley began his recurring role as James T. Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'. He was also first romantically linked to model Natalie Kuckenburg this year.
Engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg
Paul Wesley proposed to Natalie Kuckenburg during a romantic trip to Italy, with Kuckenburg announcing their engagement on Instagram.
Attended Paris Fashion Week
Paul Wesley was seen attending the Elie Saab show at Paris Fashion Week.
Announced Hulu Series with Nina Dobrev
Wesley and former 'Vampire Diaries' co-star Nina Dobrev announced they would reunite to star in and executive produce 'You Deserve to Know' for Hulu.
Married Natalie Kuckenburg
Paul Wesley married model Natalie Kuckenburg in an intimate civil ceremony, with Kuckenburg sharing photos on Instagram.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4 Premieres
The fourth season of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds', featuring Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk, is set to premiere on Paramount+.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Paul Wesley, born Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski on July 23, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, embarked on his acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in various television shows such as 'Another World' and 'Guiding Light'. His early career saw him take on roles in series like 'Wolf Lake', 'Smallville', and 'The O.C.', establishing him as a versatile young actor. He officially began crediting himself as Paul Wesley in 2005.
Wesley's breakout role came in 2009 when he was cast as Stefan Salvatore in The CW's hit supernatural drama 'The Vampire Diaries'. He starred in the series for eight seasons, from 2009 to 2017, gaining widespread recognition and a dedicated fanbase. During his time on the show, he also expanded his creative endeavors by directing five episodes and serving as a producer in its later seasons.
Following 'The Vampire Diaries', Wesley continued to diversify his career. He joined the main cast of the CBS All Access (now Paramount+) series 'Tell Me a Story' from 2018 to 2020. His directorial work extended to other CW shows, including 'Shadowhunters', 'Roswell, New Mexico', 'Legacies', and 'Batwoman'. In 2016, he co-founded his production company, Citizen Media, which signed a development deal with Warner Bros. Television to produce new shows.
A significant turning point in his recent career has been his recurring role as James T. Kirk in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds', which he joined in 2022. He has been praised for his portrayal of the iconic character, earning a Saturn Award for Best Guest Star in a Television Series. The fourth season of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' premiered on July 23, 2026, with Wesley reprising his role.
In his personal life, Wesley has been married three times. He was married to actress Torrey DeVitto from 2011 to 2013, and then to Ines de Ramon from 2019 until their divorce was finalized in February 2024. Most recently, in July 2026, Paul Wesley married model Natalie Kuckenburg, with whom he had been romantically linked since 2022 and engaged to since July 2025. Beyond acting and directing, Wesley is an ethical vegan and an advocate for animal rights. In 2020, he also co-launched Brother's Bond Bourbon with his 'Vampire Diaries' co-star Ian Somerhalder.
Looking ahead, Wesley is set to reunite with his 'Vampire Diaries' co-star Nina Dobrev for a new Hulu series titled 'You Deserve to Know', an adaptation of Aggie Blum Thompson's novel. Both Wesley and Dobrev will star in and executive produce the project, which was announced in June 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Paul Wesley made different choices?