Topic: Paul Haggis

Paul Edward Haggis (born March 10, 1953) is a Canadian-American screenwriter, producer and film director. He spent his early career producing and directing various American and Canadian television network series.

Paul Haggis was born on March 10, 1953, in London, Ontario, the son of Mary Yvonne (née Metcalf) and Edward H. Haggis. The Gallery Theatre in London, Ontario was owned by his parents, and Haggis gained experience in the field through work at the theatre. He attended St. Thomas More Elementary School, and after being inspired by Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, proceeded to study art at H. B. Beal Secondary School. After viewing Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film Blowup, he traveled to England with the intent of becoming a fashion photographer. Haggis later went back to Canada, in order to pursue studies in cinematography at Fanshawe College. In 1975, Haggis moved to Los Angeles, California to begin a career in writing in the entertainment industry.

Haggis began to work as a writer for television programs, including The Love Boat, One Day at a Time, Diff'rent Strokes, and The Facts of Life. With The Facts of Life, Haggis also gained his first credit as producer. During the 1980s and 1990s, Haggis wrote for television series including The Tracey Ullman Show, Due South, L.A. Law, and EZ Streets. He helped to create the television series Walker, Texas Ranger and Family Law. Haggis served as executive producer on series including Michael Hayes and Family Law.