Tom Uwe Pauls is a German actor, musician, and author, best known for his long association with theatres in Dresden and for creating the popular Saxon comedy character Ilse Bähnert.Born in Leipzig, Pauls grew up in the south-east of the city, near the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. From the age of seven he sang in the radio children's choir and took piano and guitar lessons. His acting talent was recognized early, leading him to study at the Theaterhochschule Leipzig from 1979 to 1983. While studying, he earned money by playing in a band and, together with fellow students Jürgen Haase …