Paul Dinello (born November 28, 1962) is an American actor, writer, director, and an alumnus of Chicago-based The Second City, Improv Institute, and Annoyance Theatre. He is best known for his role on Comedy Central's Strangers with Candy as Geoffrey Jellineck, the closeted gay art teacher at Flatpoint High, who carries on a not-so-secret relationship with his colleague Chuck Noblet (Stephen Colbert). Dinello dated the show's star, Amy Sedaris, for eight years after they met at Second City.

In 2003 Dinello co-authored the novel Wigfield with Sedaris and Colbert, which they promoted by creating a traveling play.

Most recently, Dinello has made guest appearances on Colbert's show The Colbert Report as Tad, the building manager. The character is often berated by Colbert, who forces him to do dangerous things. Dinello has made at least five appearances on The Colbert Report, including a tumbling act with Colbert and their Strangers costar Sedaris in July 2006.

Dinello was also a writer, producer and director for the Strangers with Candy film, which was released in July 2006.

He was one of the main cast in the show Exit 57, also starring Sedaris and Colbert. He also appeared as Mr. Rooney in the film Be Kind Rewind, alongside Jack Black and Mos Def.

Paul Dinello was born on November 28, 1962 in Oak Park, Illinois. He is one of 5 children (one brother and three sisters). After graduating from DePaul University he enrolled in the Second City Improvisation Troupe in Chicago. After taking a few classes, he auditioned to be in the touring company where he met Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris. After Second City he moved to New York with Colbert and Sedaris where they created the sketch comedy series Exit 57 for Comedy Central with Mitch Rouse and Jodi Lennon. The show was on for two seasons (1995-1996). The show was nominated for five CableAce nominations for best writing, performing and best comedy series. Later he, Colbert, Sedaris, and Rouse created "Strangers with Candy" (1999) for Comedy Central. It spoofed after school specials where a problem would arise and be solved in a single show, with the twist that on Strangers with Candy, they learned all the wrong lessons. The show lasted for three seasons. Dinello directed and co-starred in the movie version, Strangers with Candy (2005). Dinello has appeared in several movies including, Plump Fiction (1997) and Straight Talk (1992). He has also been on the New York stage most notable The Talent Family's "Stitches".