Paul was born in Dallas Texas. His father Patrick Speaks was a steel worker, and his mother Lessie Atchley was a nurse; he has one sister, Martha. He was married to Lugene Davis, for 28 years and has three children by her, a daughter Honi, and two sons, Shawn and Troy. In 1993, after 28 years of service, he retired from US Naval Aviation. His last position was as the Command Senior Chief of a Patrol Squadron. He flew as a Private Pilot and a P-3 Instructor Flight Engineer. Paul received a BFA in acting from The University of Texas at Arlington, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an Associate in Arts from North Lake College in Irving Texas. He has also worked as a Chief Draftsman, a Diffusion Technician, a Jet Engine Technician, and as an Instructor he taught Physics as well as Jet and rocket propulsion.