Paul was born Aaron Paul Sturtevant in Emmett, Idaho. He attended Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho.

Before Breaking Bad, Paul starred in the Korn music video for the song Thoughtless, as well as music videos for Everlast such as "White Trash Beautiful". Paul also had roles in the independent film Perfect Opposites, as well as Bad Girls From Valley High, Mission: Impossible III, K-Pax, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, The Last House on the Left, and in the television show X-Files ("Lord of the Flies" episode). Paul will next star in Wreckage, due out sometime in 2010.

Paul has recently portrayed Weird Al Yankovic in the Funny or Die short film, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Paul has also made guest appearances on shows such as The Guardian, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, ER, Bones, Criminal Minds and Sleeper Cell.

Paul has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, in 2009 and 2010, for his role as Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad in the category Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series .