Pedro Pascal and Sarah Paulson have quietly maintained a close friendship for over 30 years, a bond that was little known until recent years when Pascal gained widespread celebrity attention. The long-time duo first connected in New York City in 1993 and have supported each other through the ups and downs of their acting careers.
How Their Paths First Crossed in New York City
Pascal and Paulson’s friendship began during Pascal’s very first month in New York City. Reflecting on their early days, Pascal recalled in a 2014 interview that at 18 years old, their youthful energy and experiences shaped the foundation of their relationship. Despite the challenges of breaking into acting, their connection endured.
Their Friendship Through Time and Distance
During the late 1990s, their busy careers led to a period where they spent less time together. Paulson moved to Los Angeles to pursue work, while Pascal’s journey took him back and forth between New York and L.A. However, they reconnected a few years after this separation, restarting a new chapter in their friendship marked by renewed closeness.
“You went to Los Angeles, and we didn’t reconnect until a few years later,”
Pascal explained.
“I came to L.A. for a bit and then went back to New York. Even after going back to New York, we somehow went into chapter two of our friendship that — we attached to each other and haven’t been able to let go.”
Mutual Support During Struggling Years
In 2000, after Pascal returned to New York, Paulson helped support him financially during a tough period. She shared with Esquire in 2023 that she occasionally gave him her per diem from acting jobs so he could afford essentials.
“He’s talked about this publicly, but there were times when I would give him my per diem from a job I was working on so that he could have money to feed himself,”
Paulson said.
Shared Moments on Stage and Screen
Their friendship also included shared public appearances. In October 2005, they attended the premiere of the play Absurd Person Singular in New York City. Over the years, they appeared on red carpets together multiple times, strengthening their public presence as a duo.
Paulson’s support extended into acting opportunities; in 2013, she passed along Pascal’s audition tape for Game of Thrones to David Benioff, co-creator of the show, which helped Pascal secure a defining role. The following year, Paulson interviewed Pascal for Interview Magazine during the height of his involvement in the series.
Celebrating Milestones and Public Tributes
Paulson celebrated Pascal’s achievements both privately and publicly. In April 2019, she posted a heartfelt Instagram tribute to mark his Broadway debut, expressing admiration for his talent and journey.
“I love you @pascalispunk what an extraordinarily moving thing to witness your Broadway debut. I am in awe of you,”
she wrote.
In January 2016, they attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards together, further solidifying their visibility as long-time friends in the industry.
Collaborations and Shared Performances
Paulson appeared alongside Pascal in a sketch during his Saturday Night Live debut in February 2023. Reflecting on the experience, she told Vanity Fair it was a night full of joy and a moment she wished could last forever.
“It was just a night we didn’t want to end,”
she said.
If there had been a camera on me when it was happening — and there’d been a slow push in — it would’ve shown me watching his life begin.”
Reciprocating Support in Interviews
Their ongoing friendship also includes professional collaborations beyond acting. In April 2024, Pascal interviewed Paulson for an Interview Magazine profile, returning the gesture she made toward him a decade earlier.
Joint Appearances and Public Praise
The pair attended the opening night of Evita in London together in July 2025, continuing to share significant cultural moments. Later that year, during her appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Paulson praised Pascal’s talents and dedication.
“I always knew he was the most talented person I knew. And I knew that if anything was right in the world, that his working life would become this,”
she said.
“It’s not surprising to me from a talent level. … That doesn’t really happen that much anymore, where someone bursts on the scene and has a thing.”
When Cohen asked who usually covers dining expenses nowadays, Paulson noted that Pascal is the one paying for dinner currently. She also jokingly referred to Pascal as “a bitch baby” while clarifying their dynamic as brother and sister, highlighting a playful aspect of their long-standing bond.
“He has a lot of demands, which he would argue are my demands, and I argue they’re his. We’re brother and sister.”
The Significance of Their Enduring Bond
Pedro Pascal and Sarah Paulson’s friendship exemplifies a rare, enduring connection in the entertainment industry, where relationships often come under public scrutiny. Their mutual support, from financial help to career opportunities, has spanned decades and geographic moves between New York City, Los Angeles, and beyond.
As their careers continue to flourish, their friendship serves as a reminder of the value of long-term loyalty and trust. Fans can likely expect to see more collaborations and public appearances from this duo as they navigate their evolving roles in Hollywood and theater.
