45 Facts About Paul Reubens

Early Life and Family Background

Paul Reubens, born Paul Rubenfeld, had a fascinating upbringing that shaped his future in entertainment.

1. Early Life: Born on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York, Reubens was the son of Judy Rosen and Milton Rubenfeld.
2. Family Background: His father, Milton, was an Orthodox Jew and a car salesman who had flown for the U.S., U.K., and Israeli air forces.
3. Father's Heroism: Milton was one of five Jewish pilots who flew against Arab forces in smuggled fighter planes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
4. Siblings: Reubens had two younger siblings, Luke, a dog trainer, and Abby, an attorney and board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

Childhood and Early Interests

Reubens' childhood experiences played a crucial role in his love for performance and comedy.

5. Childhood: He spent much of his childhood in Oneonta, New York, frequently attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
6. Influence of Circus: The circus atmosphere ignited his interest in entertainment and influenced his later work.
7. Love of Comedy: Reubens loved watching reruns of I Love Lucy, which inspired him to make people laugh.
8. Early Stage Experience: At age 5, he asked his father to build him a stage, where he and his siblings would act out plays.

Education and Early Career

Reubens' educational journey and early career were marked by determination and resilience.

9. Education: He attended Sarasota High School, where he was named president of the National Thespian Society.
10. Summer Program: Reubens was accepted into Northwestern University's summer program for gifted high-school students.
11. Theater Involvement: He joined the local Asolo Theater and Players of Sarasota Theater, appearing in several plays.
12. Boston University: After high school, he attended Boston University and began auditioning for acting schools.
13. Rejections: He was turned down by several schools, including the Juilliard School and Carnegie Mellon University.
14. California Institute of the Arts: Eventually, he was accepted to the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).

The Groundlings and Pee-wee Herman

Reubens' time with The Groundlings and the creation of Pee-wee Herman were pivotal in his career.

15. Early Career: In the 1970s, he began performing at local comedy clubs and made four guest appearances on The Gong Show.
16. The Groundlings: Reubens joined the Los Angeles-based improvisational comedy team The Groundlings.
17. Notable Comedians: He worked with comedians like Bob McClurg, John Paragon, Susan Barnes, and Phil Hartman.
18. Friendship with Phil Hartman: Hartman and Reubens became close friends and often collaborated on material.
19. The Blues Brothers: In 1980, Reubens had a small part as a waiter in The Blues Brothers.
20. Pee-wee Herman’s Creation: During his time with The Groundlings, Reubens developed the character Pee-wee Herman, debuting in 1978.

Rise to Fame

Pee-wee Herman quickly became a cultural phenomenon, catapulting Reubens to stardom.

21. The Pee-wee Herman Show: In 1981, Reubens debuted The Pee-wee Herman Show, which ran for five sold-out months at the Roxy nightclub.
22. HBO Special: HBO taped the performance and aired it as a special, boosting Pee-wee's popularity.
23. Cult Figure: Pee-wee became an instant cult figure, with Reubens fully committing to the character in public appearances.
24. Feature Film Success: Reubens wrote and starred in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), directed by Tim Burton.
25. Financial Success: The film grossed $45 million on a $7 million budget.
26. Sequel: The sequel, Big Top Pee-wee (1988), was less successful but maintained a loyal fan base.

Pee-wee’s Playhouse and Awards

Reubens' work on Pee-wee’s Playhouse solidified his place in television history.

27. Pee-wee’s Playhouse: From 1986 to 1990, Reubens starred in the CBS Saturday-morning children's program Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
28. Creative Control: He received complete creative control over the show, with three minor exceptions.
29. Awards and Recognition: The show garnered 15 Emmy Awards during its initial run.
30. Cult Classic: TV Guide later dubbed it among the top ten cult classic television shows.
31. Hollywood Walk of Fame: Reubens was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988.

Personal Life and Struggles

Despite his public success, Reubens faced personal challenges and health issues.

32. Personal Life: Known for his kind and generous spirit, Reubens often promoted positivity and kindness.
33. Private Struggles: He privately battled cancer for six years before his passing.
34. Career Resurgence: After an arrest in 1991, Reubens resumed his career in the late 1990s with roles in films like Mystery Men (1999) and Blow (2001).
35. Interviews as Himself: Following his arrest, Reubens began giving interviews as himself rather than as Pee-wee Herman.

Revival and Legacy

Reubens' later years saw a revival of Pee-wee Herman and continued influence on comedy.

36. Revival of The Pee-wee Herman Show: In 2010, Reubens revived The Pee-wee Herman Show, performing it in Los Angeles and on Broadway.
37. Netflix Original Film: In 2016, he co-wrote and starred in the Netflix original film Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.
38. Continued Popularity: Pee-wee Herman maintained enduring popularity with both children and adults.
39. Impact on Comedy: Reubens' work with The Groundlings and Pee-wee Herman influenced improvisational comedy and children's entertainment.
40. Collaborations with Tim Burton: His collaboration with Tim Burton on Pee-wee’s Big Adventure was pivotal for both their careers.

Final Years and Legacy

Reubens' final years were marked by his battle with cancer and his lasting impact on pop culture.

41. Philanthropy: Known for his charitable work, Reubens supported causes related to children’s education and arts programs.
42. Personal Apologies: In a statement, Reubens apologized for not going public with his cancer diagnosis, expressing gratitude for the love and respect he received.
43. Final Statement: He concluded with a heartfelt message, "I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you".
44. Death Announcement: His passing was announced on his official Facebook page, revealing he had died of cancer at age 70.
45. Burial: Reubens was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, a testament to his enduring legacy in the entertainment industry.

Paul Reubens' Lasting Impact

Paul Reubens, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, left a significant mark on comedy and television. From his early days with The Groundlings to the creation of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Reubens' creativity and humor captivated audiences. His work influenced generations of comedians and actors, showcasing his unique blend of innocence and surrealism. Despite personal struggles, he continued to entertain and inspire, even reviving Pee-wee for new projects like the Netflix film Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. Reubens' dedication to his craft and his ability to connect with both children and adults ensured his legacy would endure. His contributions to entertainment, philanthropy, and the arts remain celebrated, making him a beloved figure in pop culture. Paul Reubens' legacy lives on, reminding us of the joy and laughter he brought to millions.