Pedro Pascal on why Sarah Paulson means everything to him

Some friendships last a lifetime, and for Pedro Pascal, none has been more important than the one he shares with Sarah Paulson.

As he reflects on the milestones he’s reached, Pascal isn’t just talking about success. He’s opening up about the friend who helped carry him through the years when his career felt uncertain, and the world didn’t yet know his name.

He credits Paulson with being a steady presence both in his hardest seasons and in the ones filled with celebration, a connection he calls one of the most defining of his life.

Let’s break down why Pascal’s heartfelt tribute to Paulson is resonating so strongly and what it reveals about the depth of their bond.

A Friendship That Started in September 1993

Pedro Pascal and Sarah Paulson‘s friendship began most unexpectedly back in New York City when both were just 18 years old. It was September 1993, during Pascal’s first month at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, when everything changed.

Paulson’s group of friends from LaGuardia High School essentially adopted the young actor into their close circle. They bonded over going to movies together, something that would become their shared escape for decades. Pascal once recalled insisting that their entire group see Fearless.

By the end of that Upper East Side screening, all eight of them were sobbing together. This early memory captured the depth of emotion they shared even as teenagers trying to find their way. The connection between them was instant, genuine, and built on vulnerability.

Unlike so many Hollywood friendships built on convenience or publicity, theirs was rooted in youth and authenticity. They were two hopeful actors with big dreams and very little money to their names. The world had not yet discovered either of them at all.

The GOT Breakthrough That Changed Everything

In 2013, everything changed when Paulson helped Pascal land his breakthrough role on Game of Thrones. Pascal recorded an audition on his iPhone and immediately called Paulson for advice about what to do next with the tape.

She didn’t even let him finish his sentence before demanding he send her the tape right away. That same night, she forwarded it to her close friend Amanda Peet without hesitation. Peet’s husband happened to be David Benioff, the co-creator of the hit show.

The audition quality was terrible, shot vertically on an old iPhone with poor lighting throughout. But Benioff later said the performance was intense and believable despite the amateur production. Pascal’s raw talent shone through, and he was cast as Oberyn Martell almost immediately after viewing the audition.

The role became a fan favorite despite lasting only seven episodes in season four of the show. Pascal brought charisma and complexity to the quick-witted prince of Dorne. His performance made him a breakout star and opened doors that had been closed for nearly two decades of auditioning.

The Walk of Fame Speech That Made Everyone Cry

Pedro Pascal could not attend Sarah Paulson’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on December 2, 2025. He wrote a deeply emotional speech that Amanda Peet read on his behalf to the crowd.

The words began by acknowledging how hard it was to miss such an important moment for his friend. He thanked both Peet and Paulson for his ridiculous fortune in life. Pascal’s message continued with words that stopped everyone in their tracks and brought many to tears immediately.

He told Paulson, “To Sarah, I’ll just say there is no me without you,” in this world at all. Without her, he wouldn’t believe in the moon or the sun in the sky above. She was the opening in the road and the decorated forest surrounding him. Most importantly, she was his friend eternally.

The speech ended with raw emotion as Pascal declared he was “so proud of” her achievements. He repeated that he loved her more, adding a simple period for emphasis and finality. The crowd at the ceremony was visibly moved, and many attendees wiped away tears as Peet finished reading.

A Time 100 Tribute That Captured Their Bond

When Time Magazine named Pedro Pascal one of the 100 most influential people of 2023, Sarah Paulson wrote his tribute. According to Time, she opened with words that perfectly captured their relationship, saying, “he is no figment—he’s real” without holding back at all.

She promised readers that everything they hoped he was, he truly is in real life every single day. From powerful and soulful to hilarious and goofy, Pascal embodies it all. She described him as capable of having the deepest conversations and willing to hold your hair back when sick.

Her tribute also revealed something deeper about why Pascal resonated with audiences worldwide. Paulson explained that it wasn’t just his looks that drew people in at all. His interior light burns so bright that it took time for people’s eyes to adjust to it properly.

The Saturday Night Live Moment and Beyond

In February 2023, Sarah Paulson made a surprise appearance during Pedro Pascal’s Saturday Night Live hosting debut. She joined him in the Fancam Assembly sketch where their characters were dubbed Mommy and Daddy.

Paulson described watching Pascal host SNL as watching his life begin all over again for real. She felt overwhelmed with pride seeing her friend achieve this career milestone on television. The moment was especially poignant because it aired on the anniversary of his mother’s tragic death years before.

Their friendship has continued to flourish in recent years despite their busy schedules and fame. In July 2025, they attended the opening night of Evita in London together, looking happy. They have appeared at countless red carpet events, always looking genuinely happy to be in each other’s company.

In November 2025, Paulson appeared on Watch What Happens Live and joked that Pascal is a b*tch baby. She clarified that they argue over who has more demands and feel like brother and sister now. When asked who pays for dinner now, she answered that he pays for everything these days.

TL;DR

• Pedro Pascal and Sarah Paulson met in September 1993 when both were 18 in New York City.
• Paulson wrote Pascal’s Time 100 tribute in 2023, calling him the whole motherf*cking deal.
• Pascal wrote an emotional speech for Paulson’s Walk of Fame ceremony, declaring there is no me without you.
• He said that without her, he wouldn’t believe in the moon or the sun in the sky.
• The friendship has lasted over 30 years through distance, career changes, and massive fame.
• Paulson appeared in Pascal’s SNL hosting debut in February 2023.
• They recently attended the Evita opening in London together in July 2025.
• Pascal now pays for dinner, a full circle moment from when Paulson supported him financially.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.