Paul Reubens

Photo of Paul Reubens

Biography

Of all the characters created by Paul Reubens, one - a nasal-voiced rascal of stunted maturity in an ill-fitting suit and cupie-doll bowtie - unexpectedly struck a chord with the inner-child in audiences everywhere. After years as a struggling comedian and actor, Reubens first introduced his signature character to audiences nationwide with a taped performance of his silly, yet subversive Los Angeles stage production, "The Pee-wee Herman Show" …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music, Art Department, Consultants & Advisors

Born

Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952 in Peekskill, New York, USA

Career Milestones

2009

Reprised his famous character for "The Pee-wee Herman Show," a limited engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda in Los Angeles; show moved to Broadway in 2010

2007

Co-starred in David Arquette's directorial debut, "The Tripper," a satirical horror film co-produced by Arquette and his wife

2006

Played Lt. Rick of the citizen's patrol on the popular Comedy Central show "Reno 911!"

2002

In November was booked on the misdemeanor count of possessing child pornography; charges were later dropped

2001

In November, home was raided by Los Angeles police who reputedly carried out boxes of evidence that pointed to an involvement in a child pornography ring; Reubens' lawyer claimed the "evidence" was part of kitsch art and erotica collected by the performer

2001

Hosted the TV version of the Internet/CD-ROM game "You Don't Know Jack" (ABC)

2001

Earned rave reviews for his turn as a flamboyant hairdresser-turned-drug dealer in "Blow"

1999

Appeared as The Spleen in the comedy feature "Mystery Men"

1998

Reruns of "Pee-wee's Playhouse" aired as part of the daily line up on on cable's Fox Family Channel

1998

Provided voice of the raccoon in "Dr. Dolittle," starring Eddie Murphy

1997

Appeared in "Buddy," starring Rene Russo

1996

Co-starred in the screen adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda"

1995

Began appearing in recurring role of Andrew J Lansing III on the CBS sitcom "Murphy Brown"

1993

Provided voice for "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas"

1992

Played Rutger Hauer's cackling vampire henchman in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

1992

Had a cameo role as the father of Danny De Vito's Penguin in "Batman Returns"; re-teamed with director Tim Burton (billed as Paul Reubens)

1991

Entered a no-contest plea and was sentenced to 75-hours of community service

1991

CBS cancelled re-runs of "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and Pee-wee dolls were removed from toy stores (as was his star from Hollywood Boulevard) following his arrest by undercover detectives in a sting operation for alleged indecent exposure and masturbating at an Adult movie theater in Sararota, FL (July 26)

1988

Directed, hosted, produced and scripted the CBS special, "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special"; also wrote the song "Oh, It's Christmas Time in the Playhouse"

1988

Produced and starred in the comedy feature "Big Top Pee-wee"

1987

Performed the song "Surfin' Bird" for the film "Back to the Beach"; also acted in the film

1986

Hosted own Saturday morning TV series, "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (CBS); also executive produced, scripted, set decorated, designed the titles and composed theme music

1985

Starred in and scripted the feature film, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure"; Tim Burton's feature directing debut

1984

Performed to sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall

1981

Appeared in "The Pee-wee Herman Show," a five month sold out show at the Roxy in Los Angeles (later aired on HBO)

1980

Feature debut with an appearance as a waiter in the Pee-wee Herman persona in "The Blues Brothers"

1980

Initial TV appearance in film clips as Pee-wee Herman in the ABC compilation special "Buckshot"

1978

Debuted Pee-wee Herman character with The Groundlings

1977

Joined the Los Angeles based theater troupe, The Groundlings

Raised in Sarasota, Florida; spent six seasons performing at Sarasota's Asolo Theater as a child

Awards

1995

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Comedy Series in Murphy Brown

1989

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Art Direction For a Variety or Music Program in Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special