Biography

Born in New York, Coates worked as a press agent, drama critic, and crime reporter before heading west to work in Hollywood. He caught on as a columnist for a newspaper and became the widest read man in the city. Coates broke into TV as a celebrity interviewer in Los Angeles, a job he maintained in addition to his main duties as a crusading columnist for the Los Angeles Mirror-News. It was while doing this show that Paul came up with the idea for "Confidential File" a documentary half live half film show that explores the big issues facing U.S. communities of the day. He was then tapped for several TV shows. The first was a panel show "Bachelor's Heaven," where he caustically tangled horns with Zsa Zsa Gabor on men versus woman subjects. He also did a celebrity interview program, "Table at Ciro's", and moderated "Our Famous Husbands," a program for stars' wives. In a short time he rocketed to the top of his industry with his two Emmys and for championing the best regional cultural and educational show over television. Coates married Renee Demarco of the Dancing Demarcos and had three children.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bill Hafker thehuntzie@yahoo.com

He was a columnist for the Los Angeles Mirror (and, when that paper folded in 1962, for the Times). Times-Mirror's TV station, KTTV, presented his weekly "Confidential File," comprised of a 15-minute filmed documentary on this controversial topic or that, followed by a 15-minute live interview related to the topic. The show began in 1953 and ended in 1958.

A newspaper and television interviewer, Coates got his start as a columnist for the "Los Angeles Mirror," later doing restaurant coverage. Paul was also a regular on The Tonight Show. He retired in 1966.