Paul Gleason on the cover of the February 1977 issue of Soap Opera Digest.

Paul Gleason (born May 4, 1944) is an American actor who was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Gleason has been a star in many movies, and became well-known initially as Dr. David Thornton on All My Children, playing that particular role from 1976 to 1978.

Gleason is perhaps best remembered for his role as the principal named Richard Vernon in the 1985 movie The Breakfast Club. As a matter of a fact, he has reprised that character several times, including at a music video, at the television show Boy Meets World (although his principal's character had another name in BMW) and in the Not Another Teen Movie film.

Paul Gleason also had a starring role in Die Hard and a list of other, lesser known movies and television shows. He is sometimes credited as Paul Xavier Gleason.

Gleason, in addition to his acting career, does many celebrity golf events a year, and he is known by autograph hunting experts to enjoy mingling with fans and signing autographs during these golf tournaments.