Born in Melbourne, Australia, Paul Scardon had extensive experience on the stage in his home country before coming to the US in 1905. He made films for Majestic and Reliance, among other studios, before joining Vitagraph in 1914. He appeared in several films there as an actor, but soon turned to directing. He was married to Betty Blythe, who he directed in dozens of films. He stayed with Vitagraph until 1919. He directed his last film in 1924, although he stayed in the business as an actor until 1949.

He died in Fontana, California, in 1954 of a heart attack. He was 79.