Who is Paul Edgecomb from The Green Mile?

Audience members first meet Paul later in life, when he is 108 years old, as he lives in a nursing home. Paul tries to explain to Ellie why he's upset, so he tells her a mystical story of his younger life. Later, viewers see the old Paul struggling as all his family and all his friends die before him while he remains because of John's power.

Paul is a kind man who works on Death Row at a prison. He loves his wife and tries to do right by everyone. He has worked with many prisoners over the years but none as unusual as John Coffey. Paul has to lead the other guards as they deal with cruel men like Wild Bill and idiots like Percy Wetmore.

Paul always tries to set a good example for everyone. When he realizes that John is not guilty, he is torn by having to send him to the electric chair. He cannot imagine having to face God knowing that he killed an innocent man. After that day, Paul changes to a new job and never looks back.