herself in a leather bustier in a “Wayne’s World” skit on Saturday
is a Screen Actor’s Guild member and shares her love of acting
as an instructor for Andi Matheny Acting Studios and the Patel
one of the kindest, loveliest people I have met in my 28 years in this
community.
52 StPeteLifeMag.com January/February 2019
Paul and Eugenie’s love story begins across the country in Los
Angeles. Paul was covering the Winona Ryder shoplifting scandal
for AP and had just sold a screenplay. As a result, he was invited to
a book release party at the Napa Valley Bar & Grille in Westwood
where many movie premiers take place. Eugenie was promoting a
Dead in Their Home.” No, I’m not kidding. She just happened to be
invited to the same party, and though she was hesitant to attend
yet another “industry” party, the producer told her they would
make contact with a well-known PR representative who might help
promote the movie pro bono.
Paul recounts, “from across the room, I see this tall, beautiful
woman enter the party.” Eugenie interjects, “It was like the
song, Some Enchanted Evening.” Paul walked across the room to
Eugenie Bondurant and I’m moving to New Orleans.” As it turns
out, she was planning to return to her hometown in the next month.
Eugenie had had enough of LA and wasn’t looking for any emotional
entanglements. Paul, very familiar with NOLA and unwilling to
be discouraged, saw his opportunity and engaged Eugenie in
her card, something very unusual for a well brought up Southern
girl.
After a few dates - drinks, a movie, dinner, Paul knew Eugenie was
something special but what about the impending move? It was too
soon to make any real commitments, so Paul brilliantly suggested
Eugenie give him “just three months.” Eugenie did not move home.
She recalls, “when someone sees you at your worst and helps you
paint your duplex with underwear on his head, you know you’ve got
a keeper.”
When Paul’s friend Pam Iorio became Mayor of Tampa, he had an
opportunity to be part of the administration. Now He was the one
leaving and needed a place to stay after giving up his apartment.
Once again, calling upon her Southern upbringing, Eugenie made
it clear that she would not live with Paul unless they were engaged.
And so it was. The pair moved to Tampa together and married in
2004. They love performing together and never seem to tire of each
other’s company after 14 years. Paul smiles, looks at his wife and
says, “If anything, we look for opportunities to spend even more
time together.”
ARTS & CULTURE
A TRUE
lov e stor y
NEVER ENDS
/StPeteLifeMag.com