Murad was born on October 31, 1955 in Jamaica to Leroy, a law professor, and Olive. She had three brothers, Claude (from Leroy’s first marriage to Audrey Neal), Mark and John, and three sisters, Ann (also from Leroy’s first marriage), Catherine and Elizabeth. When she was a baby, the Murads moved to Cleveland.
Murad met her Future husband, actor James Coburn, in Los Angeles. They married on October 22, 1993 or November 22, 1993. Their marriage made her stepmother of Coburn's two children from his first marriage: Lisa and James IV.
She appeared in the films The Set Up (1995) and American Gun (2002), both of which feature her husband James Coburn. She also appeared in an episode of USA High.
Coburn, who won an Oscar for his performance in Affliction (1998), mentioned Murad in his acceptance speech: "This, for my beautiful wife, Paula. She finally got to come to the Academy Awards. This is for you, baby!"
Murad and Coburn remained together until his death on November 18, 2002. The couple were at their Beverly Hills home listening to music together when Coburn died of a fatal heart attack. According to Coburn's manager, Hillard Elkins, Coburn died in Murad's arms.
On July 30, 2004, Murad died of cancer at her home in Beverly Hills. She was 48 years old.
