Paul Noble
1972-2023

Paul was born in Camberwell in 1972, and in 1980 moved with his family to Sevenoaks where his parents owned and managed the Sevenoaks Park Hotel. Paul studied at Sevenoaks Prep and then Sevenoaks School (Sackville 1987-91) where he made many lifelong friends and was known for his beaming smile and his love of football, movies and music. He took joy in recommending his favourite bands to his classmates and by his late teens his video collection read like an A to Z of great film directors.

After school Paul studied English Literature at Kingston University, then a Master’s in Anglo-American Literary Relations, which would prove rather apt later in his life. He accepted a role at Curio, a London film promotions agency, first in account service but quickly switching to his passion of creative writing. After five successful years, he moved on to The Creative Partnership as Head Writer and accolades soon followed, including a Golden Trailer award for his work on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Next, Paul joined Wonderland as Group Creative Director, where his work continued to garner recognition.

It was around this time that Paul married the love of his life, Esme Baker, who also hailed from the Sevenoaks area and had been in the same circle of friends (many of them OS) since they were 16 years old. They went on to have two wonderful children, Rudy and Jean. In 2017 Sony Pictures came calling and Paul and his family moved to Los Angeles. He was initially hired as Executive Vice President of International Marketing but became Co-President of Global Marketing, overseeing the release of a string of worldwide box office hits including Sony’s biggest ever success, Spider-Man: No Way Home.

In June 2021, out of the blue, Paul was diagnosed with the rare and terminal bulbar ALS, which attacks control of the tongue and throat, affecting speech, swallowing and eventually breathing. Despite such a terrible prognosis, he maintained an optimistic outlook and continued to work from home right up until his final weeks. On 9 September 2023, Paul passed away peacefully
at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre at the age of 51. As the sun came up, his wife, parents, brother and three of his best friends were at his bedside, including Old Sennockians Adam Cossey and Ben Harris.

Those that knew Paul knew him as an incredible dad who prioritised his family above all else. He was compassionate, kind, gentle, funny, and a person of incredible strength and high integrity. Paul was renowned for his beaming smile and laidback, cheerful personality and he left a lasting impression on many friends and colleagues.

In October 2023 Sony Pictures honoured Paul with a wonderful Celebration of Life event which was live-streamed around the world. Tom Rothman, CEO and Chairman of Sony Pictures, paid an emotional tribute to Paul, calling him ‘a blazing talent and a dear friend’. Paul’s Sevenoaks classmates Ben, Adam and Dave Billing also paid tribute.