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 .
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
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 .
A video of his Celebration of Life event can be viewed via the QR code :
Toby Noble ( OS 1993 )
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