Paul J. Qualley, a former American model, actor, and musician, is widely recognized as the ex-husband of Hollywood actress Andie MacDowell. Andie herself is celebrated for her roles in movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Groundhog Day,” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.” Despite the passage of time since the couple’s divorce, there remains a lingering curiosity about Paul’s current endeavors.
Early Life and Family
Paul James Qualley was born on 14 March 1958, in New York, USA. His father, Lee James Qualley, has Norwegian roots, and his mother, Patricia Ann Rondo, is of Dutch and Belgian descent. However, little else is known about his parents or details of his upbringing.
Education
There’s limited information about his educational background, but it’s mentioned that Paul engaged in football during his university days. According to some reports, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
Career
Paul began his career in the entertainment industry within the world of fashion as a model. Although he made transitions into acting and singing, these endeavors were short-lived. It seems that only one movie and a few songs were associated with him before he moved on from these pursuits.
Modeling
Modeling captivated Paul Qualley’s interest From a young age. Possessing the right looks and physique as he entered his 20s, numerous job opportunities quickly came his way. Representing multiple fashion labels, Paul has made notable appearances in advertising campaigns, and graced various catwalks as a model.
Singing
Paul pursued a career in music, releasing the song “Please Please” in 1984, under the Italian record label Five. It was reportedly featured in the TV series soundtrack for “The Apple Tree” as its opening theme song. He actively promoted the song, with one of his recorded performances available on YouTube from an Italian pop music show called “Popcorn.” During the performance, he sang energetically, grooving to the upbeat music, and it was well-received by the audience. Under the same label, Paul released “Meet Me in My Dreams” in 1985 and “Back On The Road” the following year.
Acting
Information about his acting career is scarce, as it seems he only had a role in the 2009 science-fiction movie “Moon Europa,” playing the supporting character Clo, according to IMDb. The film was written and directed by Christopher Levoy Bower.
Rancher
Possibly facing challenges in achieving significant success in the entertainment industry, or feeling weary of the spotlight, Paul transitioned to his family’s ranch in Montana. There, he redirected his efforts toward earning a living, reportedly engaging in ranching or the contracting industry.
Personal Life
Paul J. Qualley worked in the entertainment industry for a time, but it was his relationship with Andie MacDowell that gained him widespread public attention.
Who is Andie MacDowell?
born Rosalie Anderson MacDowell on 21 April 1958, in Gaffney, South Carolina, Andie began her career as a model, collaborating with renowned brands and appearing in ad campaigns for fashion houses such as Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, and Calvin Klein. She graced the covers of fashion magazines and worked on ad campaigns, before transitioning into acting, marking her debut in 1984 with “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes,” in her role as Jane Porter, the romantic interest of Tarzan/John Clayton, portrayed by Christopher Lambert.
Andie next played a supporting role in the 1985 coming-of-age film, “St. Elmo’s Fire”, then in 1989, she garnered widespread recognition for her role in Steven Soderbergh’s film “Sex, Lies, and Videotape.” Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Best Actress nomination. She starred opposite Hugh Grant in the 1994 romantic comedy “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and Bill Murray in the 1993 classic comedy “Groundhog Day.” In recent years, Andie has continued to be active in the entertainment industry.
Paul’s Marriage to Andie MacDowell
Paul and Andie first met in 1985 on the set of a film/photoshoot while they were modeling for the clothing brand GAP. They hit it off, and it was a whirlwind relationship that led to them exchanging vows by 1986. They moved to Montana and lived on a sprawling ranch in Missoula, where they raised their three kids, Justin, Rainey, and Margaret, out of the spotlight, providing them with a relatively normal childhood.
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A Failed Marriage
According to some reports, when Andie turned 40, she realized that she didn’t want to grow old in a secluded place among people who weren’t related to her or considered family, so they moved to Asheville, North Carolina to live near her sister. Soon after that, her 13-year marriage with Paul ended with the divorce finalized in 1999.
In 2001, Andie remarried a former classmate and businessman named Rhett Hartzog. Reports suggested that Paul expressed happiness for her, speculating that her new union might provide their three children with added security. Upon learning of Paul’s purported sentiments, Andie responded by stating that she was uncertain if he had indeed made those comments. That said, she clarified her stability throughout, asserting that her decision to remarry was rooted in genuine love for her husband. Additionally, she emphasized that her divorce from Paul was for the ‘usual reasons’ and unrelated to her professional pursuits.
The situation became perplexing for some, compounded by Andie’s apparent correction of public perceptions about her ex-husband—perceptions that she herself had previously endorsed. Earlier, she had praised Paul for being a dedicated househusband, managing household responsibilities, cooking, and caring for their three children while she was away filming. She later acknowledged the presence of nannies, dispelling the notion that Paul was exclusively a “Mr. Mom.”
Get to Know Paul J. Qualley’s Children
Justin Qualley
Justin, the eldest of three children, was born on 14 August 1986, and reportedly works in real estate in Montana.
Rainsford Dubose “Rainey” Qualley
Rainey was born on 11 March 1989, in New York City. Initially making her mark as a model for esteemed brands such as Bulgari, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, she transitioned into acting, debuting in the 2012 film “Mighty Fine” alongside her mother. Her acting career further unfolded with roles in “Falcon Song” (2014), “Perfect” (2018), and “Ultrasound” (2021), with additional movie projects currently in post-production.
However, Rainey’s prominence extends beyond acting; she’s widely recognized for her music, released under the pseudonym Rainsford. She has delivered two EPs, including “Turn Down the Lights” in 2015 and “Emotional Support Animal” in 2018. Rainey began playing the piano in her childhood, and shared that with her father playing the guitar, she sang along with him. She soon realized that she had a beautiful voice.
Sarah Margaret Qualley
The youngest, Margaret, was born on 23 October 1994, in Kalispell, Montana. At 16, she was already gracing the catwalk for Alberta Ferretti during New York Fashion Week, and later for Chanel and Valentino at the 2012 Paris Fashion Week. She contributed to ad campaigns for Celine, Ralph Lauren, and Kenzo, and landed in editorials and on covers of prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair, and Nylon.
In 2013, she ventured into acting with her debut in the movie “Palo Alto,” which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, then from 2014–2017, she secured a role in the HBO supernatural drama series “The Leftovers” in a supporting capacity. Margaret received the Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of an actress-dancer in the 2019 F/X miniseries “Fosse/Verdon”, and for the title role in the 2021 Netflix series “Maid.”
Update on Paul J. Qualley
Paul leads a quiet life away from the spotlight, keeping his personal life private. Consequently, the public remains unaware of his dating status, or whether he’s remarried.
He has an Instagram account with only a couple of posts back in 2018, featuring him with his daughters. In one of the posts, his daughter Rainey left a comment, ‘Love you dadda.’ He has another account often tagged by his daughters when posting their photos, but it was set to private. From time to time, Rainey would greet him on his birthday and Father’s Day.
Paul stayed in Panama for a time, and it was his daughter Margaret who persuaded him to go back to the US. Margaret was filming “Stars at Noon” there, and Paul, staying in the room next to hers in the hotel, accompanied her to the set daily. At the conclusion of filming, Margaret took it upon herself to bring him back.
In 2022, Paul experienced the joy of becoming a first-time grandparent to Justin and his wife Nicollete’s baby named Cozette, a moment celebrated with heartwarming photos posted on Rainey’s Instagram page.
Maintaining a supportive presence in his family’s significant moments, Paul attended his daughter’s intimate wedding to music producer Jack Antonoff in 2023, in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
Appearance
Paul J. Qualley is 6ft 2ins (189cms) tall and weighs 170lbs (77kgs). He has brown hair and blue eyes.
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, as of March 2024, Paul J. Qualley’s estimated net worth is more than $1 million.
