Paul Reubens.

Paul Rubenfeld

Born 27 Aug 1952 Peekskill, United States

Died 30 Jul 2023 Los Angeles, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 73 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

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Jun 14, 2026

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129

Film credits

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TL;DR

Paul Reubens created his signature character Pee-wee Herman in 1978, which led to the 1985 film directed by Tim Burton and a five-year CBS series. His 1991 arrest for indecent exposure dealt a major blow to his career. He returned to the character in Netflix’s 2016 film Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. He died in 2023 from acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to leukemia.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Paul Reubens — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Paul Rubenfeld

Nicknames Pee Wee Herman

Aliases P. W. Herman, Pee Wee Herman, Pee wee Herman, Paul Mall, Pee Wee

PARENTS: Milton Rubenfeld
SIBLINGS: Abby Rubenfeld

At a glance.

STATS

Paul Reubens by the numbers — life, work, and family.

70 Years lived

129 Film credits

1 Award

Who was Paul Reubens?

BIOGRAPHY

Paul Reubens — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Paul Reubens was born Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952 in Peekskill, New York. His father, Milton Rubenfeld, was a pilot for multiple air forces, and his family moved to Sarasota, Florida, where his parents owned a lamp store. Growing up near the Ringling Brothers circus, he befriended circus families and joined the local Asolo Theater at age 11. After high school in 1970, he attended Boston University for a year. He then moved to Hollywood to study acting at the California Institute of the Arts, while working odd jobs as a pizza chef and Fuller Brush salesman.

Career

In the mid-1970s, Reubens joined the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. He created the character Pee-wee Herman in 1978. The character debuted in a short sketch but grew so popular that a stage show, The Pee-Wee Herman Show 1981, sold out the Roxy nightclub for five months and aired on HBO. In 1985, he co-wrote and starred in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton. It grossed $45 million on a $7 million budget. He executive-produced and directed the CBS children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse from 1986 to 1991, with a budget of $325,000 per episode. His arrest in July 1991 shattered the character’s image, leading to the show’s cancellation. In 2016, he returned to the character in Netflix’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.

Personal life

Reubens was close friends with Debi Mazar, who helped him overcome depression after his 1991 arrest. He credited Joan Rivers as his favorite mentor and best friend. Reubens had two siblings: a younger brother Luke and a younger sister Abby, an ACLU lawyer in Nashville. Among his friends were David Arquette and Robin Williams.

Legacy

Paul Reubens created the character Pee-wee Herman, a comedic man-child who influenced a generation of children’s entertainment. His work on Pee-wee’s Playhouse earned him a Daytime Emmy Award. The character returned to Broadway in 2010 and continued to resonate, leading to the 2016 Netflix film. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988. Reubens died in 2023, leaving a legacy of offbeat humor and creative risk-taking that inspired comedians from The Groundlings and beyond.

Filmography.

FILMS · 129

Browse the complete filmography of Paul Reubens — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Blacklist

2013
TV

American Dad!

2005
TV

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014
TV

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962
TV

Conan

2010
TV

Saturday Night Live

1975
TV

Adventure Time

2010
TV

Gotham

2014
TV

30 Rock

2006
TV

Golden Globe Awards

1944
TV

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

2016
TV

Everybody Loves Raymond

1996
TV

Reno 911!

2003
TV

Star Wars Rebels

2014

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Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Paul Reubens — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Daytime Emmy Award

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 13

A wall of memorable lines from Paul Reubens — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Tried to Be Responsible in Teaching Kids Things I Thought Were Good Lessons, All in the Context Of, ‘It’s Okay to Be Wild and Have a Good Time.’
Amazingly, by Way of a Mutual Friend of His Son Christian, I Learned That Even Marlon Brando Thought Pee Wee Was a Real Person! He Couldn’t Believe I Was an Actor Who Had Created That Persona Which Is Maybe the Highest Benediction.
Had We Gone to Trial, We Had Ready an Expert from the Masters and Johnson Institute Who Was Going to Testify That in 30 Years of Research on Masturbation the Institute Had Never Found One Person Who Masturbated with His or Her Non Dominant Hand. I’m Right Handed, and the Police Report Said I Was Jerking off with My Left Hand. That Would Have Been the End of the Case Right There, Proof It Couldn’t Have Been Me.
The Moment That I Realized My Name Was Going to Be Said in the Same Sentence as Children and Sex, That’s Really Intense. That’s Something I Knew from That Very Moment, Whatever Happens Past That Point, Something’s Out There in the Air That Is Really Bad.
Look at Me, I’m Getting Defensive About Something That Happened so Many Years Ago, Somebody Said. I’ll Have to Find Out Who That Was and If He’s Still Alive.
I Think My Entire Career Path Was Determined for Me When I Was 6 Years Old, Watching Reruns of ‘I Love Lucy’ on Television and Thinking About Making People Laugh.
The Public Already Knows About Me More Than I Ever Wanted It to Know.
I Would Love to Be in Kansas.
I Was Pee Wee Herman for so Many Years That It Wasn’t Really a Question That I Didn’t Want to Do Other Things.
I Probably Have Become More Infamous from Two Misdemeanors Than Probably Anyone I Could Think Of.
But I Don’t Know. Pee Wee Just Kind of Popped Out One Day, Pretty Much Fully Fleshed Out and Fully Formed.
I’ve Always Felt Like a Kid, and I Still Feel Like a Kid, and I’ve Never Had Any Problem Tapping into My Childhood, and My Kid Side.
The Public May Think I’m Weird. They May Think I’m Crazy or Anything That Anyone Wants to Think About Me. That’s All Fine. as Long as One of the Things You’re Not Thinking About Me Is That I’m a Pedophile. Because That’s Not True.

Did you know?

FACTS · 16

Little-known facts about Paul Reubens — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Debi Mazar was a good friend of Reubens; he credited her for helping end the depression that followed his 1991 arrest.
During World War II, his father Milton Rubenfeld fought as a pilot, first for Britain’s Royal Air Force and then for the U.S. Air Force, and was among the first pilots in the Israeli Air Force.
Reubens credited Joan Rivers as his favorite mentor and best friend.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 20, 1988 at 6562 Hollywood Boulevard.
Two films featuring him, The Blues Brothers 1980 and The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993, were selected for the National Film Registry.
He counted David Arquette and Robin Williams among his friends.
For a year, he commuted weekly from Los Angeles to New York to film Pee-wee’s Playhouse before the show moved to California.
He was a former member of The Groundlings comedy troupe.
During the late 1970s, he appeared as a contestant on The Gong Show.
Pinkie Lee, a pioneer children’s TV host, partially inspired the character Pee-wee Herman; Lee also wore a tight checked suit and hat.
In 2010, Reubens brought the Pee-Wee Herman Show to the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and it moved to Broadway on October 26, 2010, running until January 2, 2011.
His paternal grandparents were Polish Jewish immigrants, and his mother was of German Jewish and Russian Jewish descent.
Outside of his Pee-wee Herman movies, Reubens never had a leading role in a full-length feature film, but he played the Penguin’s father in both Batman Returns 1992 and Gotham 2014.
He had two siblings: a younger brother, Luke Rubenfeld, and a younger sister, Abby Rubenfeld, an ACLU lawyer in Nashville.
Eminem’s 2004 song and music video Just Lose It spoofed Reubens.
He was cremated at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. His memorial service took place at Skirball Cultural Center on August 27, 2023, what would have been his 71st birthday.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 27

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Paul Reubens.

When was Paul Reubens born?

Paul Reubens was born on August 27, 1952. He was born Paul Rubenfeld in Peekskill, New York.
Where was Paul Reubens born?

Paul Reubens was born in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York, USA. He grew up in Sarasota, Florida after his family moved there.
When did Paul Reubens die?

Paul Reubens died on July 30, 2023. He was 70 years old at the time of his death in Los Angeles, California.
How old was Paul Reubens when he died?

Paul Reubens was 70 years old when he died on July 30, 2023. He passed away from acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to leukemia.
Where did Paul Reubens die?

Paul Reubens died in Los Angeles, California, USA. His death occurred on July 30, 2023.
How did Paul Reubens die?

Paul Reubens died from acute hypoxic respiratory failure caused by acute myelogenous leukaemia. He had been battling the disease privately.
What is Paul Reubens's real name?

Paul Reubens’s birth name is Paul Rubenfeld. He changed it to Reubens when he moved to Hollywood to pursue acting.
What does Paul Reubens do for a living?

Paul Reubens was an actor, writer, and director. He is best known for creating the character Pee-wee Herman.
What nationality is Paul Reubens?

Paul Reubens was an American citizen. He was born in the United States and remained a citizen throughout his life.
What language does Paul Reubens speak?

Paul Reubens’s native language was English. He grew up speaking English in New York and Florida.
Who are Paul Reubens's parents?

Paul Reubens’s parents were Milton Rubenfeld, a pilot and car salesman, and Judy Rubenfeld, a teacher. His father flew for multiple air forces during and after World War II.
Does Paul Reubens have any siblings?

Yes, Paul Reubens had two siblings: a younger brother named Luke Rubenfeld and a younger sister named Abby Rubenfeld. Abby is a civil liberties lawyer in Nashville.
Where did Paul Reubens go to school?

Paul Reubens attended Sarasota High School in Florida, then Boston University for one year, before studying acting at the California Institute of the Arts. He also attended Plymouth State University briefly.
What awards has Paul Reubens won?

Paul Reubens won a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He also received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988.
How many awards has Paul Reubens won?

Paul Reubens won at least one major award, the Daytime Emmy Award. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is a recognition of his contributions to entertainment.
What is Paul Reubens best known for?

Paul Reubens is best known for creating and portraying the character Pee-wee Herman. The character first appeared in 1978 and later starred in the films Pee-wee’s Big Adventure 1985 and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday 2016, as well as the TV series Pee-wee’s Playhouse 1986-1991.
What is Paul Reubens's Instagram?

Paul Reubens’s Instagram handle is @peeweeherman. It is the official account for his character Pee-wee Herman.
How tall was Paul Reubens?

Paul Reubens was 6 feet 0 inches tall, equivalent to 1.83 meters. His height was often noted in his roles as Pee-wee Herman.
Why is Paul Reubens nicknamed Pee Wee Herman?

Paul Reubens created the character Pee-wee Herman in 1978 for The Groundlings. The nickname became his most famous alias, and he often used it in professional contexts.
What aliases did Paul Reubens use?

Paul Reubens used several aliases including P. W. Herman, Paul Mall, and simply Pee Wee. These were typically used in his comedic performances and writing credits.
What character did Paul Reubens create for The Groundlings?

Paul Reubens created the character Pee-wee Herman while performing with The Groundlings improvisational comedy troupe. Pee-wee first appeared in 1978 and became a cultural phenomenon.
When did Pee-wee Herman first appear?

Pee-wee Herman debuted in 1978 during a Groundlings show. The character was a man-child with a distinctive look and voice, quickly gaining a following.
What was the budget of Pee-wee's Playhouse?

Pee-wee’s Playhouse had a budget of $325,000 per episode, which was the same price as a prime-time sitcom at the time. The show aired on CBS from 1986 to 1991.
Did Paul Reubens direct any episodes of Pee-wee's Playhouse?

Yes, Paul Reubens directed and executive-produced the show. He also had complete creative control over the series.
What film marked Paul Reubens's return as Pee-wee Herman after the scandal?

Paul Reubens returned to the character in the Netflix film Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, released on March 18, 2016. It was his first Pee-wee film since the 1991 arrest.
Where is Paul Reubens memorial service held?

His memorial service took place at the Skirball Cultural Center on August 27, 2023. He was cremated at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
What were Paul Reubens's father's military achievements?

Paul Reubens’s father, Milton Rubenfeld, flew as a pilot for Britain’s Royal Air Force and the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He later became one of the first pilots in the Israeli Air Force.

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Published on June 14, 2026

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Paul Reubens.

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

The Blacklist

American Dad!

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Conan

Saturday Night Live

Adventure Time

Gotham

30 Rock

Golden Globe Awards

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

Everybody Loves Raymond

Reno 911!

Star Wars Rebels