He played a preteen murderer-rapist in an episode of "". He made his motion picture debut in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated "Mystic River", playing Young Sean. In 2004, Paolo was on "One Life to Live" as Travis O'Connell, a recurring character. Paolo also made a return appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", playing a disturbed teenager based on the real case of Justin Berry. Other films include "World Trade Center" for Oliver Stone in 2006; "Snow Angels", directed by David Gordon Green; and "Favorite Son", his first leading role.