Who Was Paul Ratliff? Meet Maggie Siff’s Late Husband

When people hear the name Paul Ratliff, they often remember him as the husband of actress Maggie Siff, known for her roles in Sons of Anarchy and Billions. But Paul was much more than that. He lived a full and meaningful life, even though he stayed out of the spotlight.

Paul’s story is both touching and inspiring. He was a man who moved through different careers—acting, consulting, and therapy—until he found his true calling in helping others. In this article, we’ll look closely at Paul Ratliff’s life, his work, his love story with Maggie Siff, and the impact he left behind.

Paul Ratliff Quick Bio


Full Name	Paul Ratliff
Gender	Male
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White
Religion	Christianity
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, USA
Date of Death	December 2021
Cause of Death	Brain cancer
Marital Status	Married (until 2021)
Wife	Maggie Siff (m. 2012–2021)
Children	1 (Daughter – Lucy Ratliff)
Education	Wesleyan University, Pacifica Graduate Institute
Occupation	Therapist, Consultant, Former Actor
Known For	Husband of actress Maggie Siff
Residence	Brooklyn, New York
Net Worth (Estimated)	Around $4 million

Paul Ratliff’s Early Life and Background

Paul Ratliff was born in the United States, likely in Los Angeles, California, where he also grew up. There’s not much public information about his childhood, and that’s because Paul always preferred to live quietly and privately.

From a young age, Paul seemed to have a creative mind and a love for people. This later shaped the work he chose to do. Though he didn’t grow up in the spotlight, he would later cross paths with someone who was very much part of it—his future wife, Maggie Siff.

Paul’s Education Journey

Paul Ratliff started his higher studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. He graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. At that time, he was interested in creative fields like theater, video, and film. This is what first led him to try acting.

Years later, Paul made a big change. He decided to go back to school to study Counseling Psychology. In 2015, he joined Pacifica Graduate Institute in California and graduated in 2018. This step showed that Paul was ready for something deeper—helping people through mental health support.

Paul Ratliff’s Short Acting Career

Before becoming a therapist, Paul Ratliff gave acting a try. He appeared in a few small TV roles in the 1980s. Some of his acting credits include:

A bar patron in the show Cheers (1983–1986)
A bartender in one episode of General Hospital (1983)
A naval officer in the comedy movie To Be or Not to Be (1983)

These roles were small, and Paul never became a full-time actor. He likely realized that Hollywood wasn’t where he truly belonged. While acting opened a few doors, Paul eventually followed a more thoughtful and meaningful path.

Working in Design and Innovation

After acting, Paul moved into something completely different—design research and innovation. He worked as a design strategist and ethnographic researcher. That means he studied how people used products in real life, and helped companies understand their customers better.

He worked for companies like E-lab, Sapient, and Johnson & Johnson. His job involved watching how people interacted with things like electronics, cars, or health products. He helped big businesses design better tools and services by using real-life behavior studies.

People who worked with Paul said he had a special way of understanding how people think. This skill later became very important when he became a therapist.

Paul Ratliff’s True Calling

Even with a successful career in consulting, Paul Ratliff felt something was missing. That’s why he decided to study psychology and become a licensed marriage and family therapist. He wanted to help people in a more personal way.

After earning his degree in Counseling Psychology in 2018, Paul started working as a therapist in New York City. He joined the Erika Malm Collective, a place that focuses on emotional healing and support.

Paul helped people deal with many things, including:

Anxiety and stress
Relationship problems
Life changes
Men’s mental health
Peer pressure
Eating disorders

His clients found him kind, gentle, and easy to talk to. For Paul, therapy wasn’t just a job—it was his way of making the world better.

Paul Ratliff and Maggie Siff, How They Met

Paul Ratliff met Maggie Siff in a unique and quiet way. While Maggie was filming Sons of Anarchy, the two started emailing each other. What started as simple conversations slowly turned into something special.

They got to know each other through words first, not fame or events. This made their connection strong and deep from the beginning. Soon after, they began dating, and everything just clicked between them.

Paul wasn’t interested in fame, and Maggie liked that about him. He was calm, smart, and funny—a mix that made her fall in love. Their relationship was built on honesty and kindness, not on spotlight or drama.

Marriage Life with Maggie Siff

Paul and Maggie got married in October 2012, while Maggie was still acting in Sons of Anarchy. Their wedding wasn’t a flashy Hollywood event—it was private and personal, just the way they liked it.

Maggie often said in interviews how much she admired Paul’s personality. She once said, “He’s going to be a great dad. He’s very sweet and fun. He makes everyone laugh.”

For their first anniversary, Paul gave Maggie a beautiful gift—a printed and bound book of all their email conversations from when they first met. This showed just how thoughtful and romantic he really was.

Paul Ratliff as a Dad

In April 2014, Paul Ratliff and Maggie Siff became parents to a baby girl named Lucy. It was a joyful moment for both of them. Maggie shared in an interview that she was excited to see Paul become a father. She knew he would be great at it.

Paul was a very playful and caring dad. He loved to make Lucy laugh with games and silly moments. Even with his calm nature, he had a fun side that made family time special. He brought peace and warmth into their home.

Being a dad was one of the most important parts of Paul’s life. He focused on building a strong, loving bond with his daughter. He wanted her to feel safe, happy, and deeply loved every day.

Paul Ratliff’s Private Life and Personality

Even though his wife was a well-known actress, Paul Ratliff stayed far away from the spotlight. He didn’t enjoy attention or fame. He and Maggie lived a quiet life, far from the noise of Hollywood.

They moved to Brooklyn, New York, and settled in a small, peaceful apartment near Prospect Park. They had a cat named Iris and a big, fluffy Labradoodle named Augie. Their home life was simple and full of love.

Paul didn’t use social media. He liked to keep his life private. He focused on real moments with his family instead of online posts. This choice helped them enjoy a calm, quiet life together.

Paul Ratliff’s Death and Cause Revealed

In December 2021, sad news was shared. Paul Ratliff passed away after a battle with brain cancer. His illness had not been shared publicly before, so many people were surprised and heartbroken.

Paul’s battle with cancer was kept private by the family. They didn’t share details about his treatment or how long he had been sick. But what is clear is that Paul spent his final months surrounded by the people he loved most—his wife and daughter.

His death was a deep loss, not just for Maggie and Lucy, but also for his clients, friends, and all who knew him. Paul was remembered as a kind, wise, and gentle man who gave so much to others.

Maggie Siff After Paul Ratliff’s Death

After Paul Ratliff’s death, Maggie Siff chose to grieve in private. Just like their life together, her healing journey stayed away from the public eye. But her strength and grace were clear to those who followed her work.

She continued acting, most notably in her role as Wendy Rhoades in Billions. Maggie also returned to her theater roots, taking on roles that helped her stay creative and strong.

Most of all, she focused on raising Lucy, giving her the love and support they both shared as parents. Through this, Maggie kept Paul’s memory alive in their everyday life.

Final Thoughts

Paul Ratliff may not have been famous, but he touched many lives. As a therapist, he helped people through their hardest moments. His work gave hope to those struggling with stress, anxiety, and relationship problems.

More than his career, Paul’s real legacy is the love he shared with his family. He was a loyal husband, a sweet father, and a thoughtful friend. He showed that being kind and caring can leave a big mark in the world.

Even today, people remember Paul Ratliff not just as Maggie Siff’s husband, but as a man who lived with purpose, honesty, and heart. His story reminds us that quiet lives can be powerful too.