Playing a real-life icon comes with some unexpected demands — and for Paul Anthony Kelly, one of the biggest surprises was just how often he had to pick up a razor.
The 37-year-old Canadian actor, who stars as John F. Kennedy Jr. in FX’s critically acclaimed series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, recently sat down with Deadline’s Take 10 to pull back the curtain on what it genuinely took to embody one of America’s most beloved public figures. And spoiler: it was a lot more than just learning his lines. Paul Anthony Kelly also Reveals He Listened to JFK Jr.’s Voice Daily Before Filming ‘Love Story’
“Never in my life have I had to do that,” Kelly admitted, referring to his new reality of shaving two to three times a day on set. For most people, once a day is already considered high-maintenance — but keeping up with JFK Jr.’s famously clean-cut, polished appearance demanded a whole new level of dedication.
It wasn’t just the razor that got a workout, either. Kelly revealed that nailing JFK Jr.’s signature hairstyle — something he’s previously called “awesome” — required a very specific daily ritual: water, a blow dryer, and a good brush, applied several times throughout the day. The result was that effortlessly put-together look that made Kennedy Jr. one of the most photographed men of his generation.
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The Wardrobe? He Wanted to Keep All of It
Beyond the grooming demands, Kelly made it clear that if he’d had his way, he would have walked off set with a full suitcase of JFK Jr.’s wardrobe. The show’s costume team put together an impressive array of stylish, era-defining outfits, and Kelly was openly enthusiastic about every piece.
At the top of his wish list? The hyper color shirts — those heat-sensitive, color-shifting garments that were a defining fashion statement of the era. “You sweat in it and it changes a different color. Amazing,” Kelly said, clearly still impressed.
Even off set, the role has left a permanent mark on his personal style. Kelly revealed he’s since adopted wallet chains and backward baseball caps into his everyday wardrobe — two signature looks that JFK Jr. made iconic during his lifetime.
Stepping Into the Shoes of a Legend
Taking on the role of someone as deeply admired as John F. Kennedy Jr. wasn’t something Kelly took lightly. Despite growing up in Canada, where the Kennedy legacy didn’t carry quite the same cultural weight as it does in the United States, Kelly threw himself into research — diving into every piece of available information about JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy to do the role justice.
“I really had to tighten up my bootstraps and do deep dives, learn everything I could,” he previously shared with People magazine, describing the weight of playing someone so beloved.
The effort clearly paid off. Kelly has described the entire experience of making the show as “lightning in a bottle” — praising the cast, crew, producers, and writers for creating something truly special together.
What’s Next for Paul Anthony Kelly
Since his breakout performance in Love Story, Kelly has already landed his next major role, further cementing his place as one of the most exciting new talents in Hollywood.
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is currently streaming on FX and Hulu.
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