American actor, comedian, game show host, and producer Paul Reubens. He is best known for the kid’s programme “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which received high praise and numerous nominations and Emmy Awards. Reubens was raised in Florida but was born in New York. He got his start in comedy with “The Groundlings.” He made his acting debut in the comedy “Pray TV,” which was a parody of televangelism. He also starred in “Meatballs II,” “Batman Returns,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” among other movies. Reubens rose to fame thanks to his performance in the wildly successful TV special “The Pee-wee Herman Show.”
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The actor’s portrayal of Pee-wee, who became a cult favourite, helped him make a name for himself in the television industry. ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,’ a movie based on the character, was also produced. ‘Big Top Pee-wee’, a sequel, came after it. The actor is a contentious figure as well. Reubens was first detained on suspicion of child pornography and again on suspicion of indecent exposure, both of which were ultimately dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea to a less serious offence.
Who is Paul Reubens?
Quick Facts
Also Known As: Paul Rubenfeld
Age: 70 Years, 70 Year Old Males
Family:
Spouse/Ex-: Chandi Heffner
Father: Milton Rubenfeld
Mother: Judy (Rosen)
Siblings: Abby Rubenfeld, Luke Rubenfeld
Height: 5’11” (180 cm), 5’11” Males
U.S. State: New Yorkers
City: Peekskill, New York
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Childhood & Early Life
Paul Rubenfeld was given the name Paul Reubens at birth on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Milton Rubenfeld, a car salesman, went on to become one of the first pilots of the Israeli Air Force. His mother worked in education. Luke and Abby, his younger siblings, are his names.
His frequent attendance at The Ringling Brothers and Bamum & Bailey Circus sparked his desire in a career in entertainment. After graduating from Sarasota High School, he briefly studied at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.
Career
After completing his theatre degree at the California Institute of the Arts, Paul Reubens began working as a performer with the troupe known as The Groundlings. During this period, he created the innocent man-boy who plays practical jokes on his friends, Pee-wee.
Later, he began making cameos in films including “Pray TV” (1980), “Dream On!” (1981), and “Meatballs Part II” (1984).
The Pee-wee Herman Show, an HBO TV special that debuted in 1981, launched both him and his persona into the public eye. He wrote the screenplay for the 1985 movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and also played the title character. Based on his Pee-wee character, it was the first full-length motion picture.
In the Randal Kleiser-directed 1988 sequel “Big Top Pee-Wee,” he played the same part once more. The movie, in contrast to its prequel, was a box office and critical dud.
He played the lead role in the children’s programme “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which he himself devised, from 1986 until 1990. The programme was extremely well-liked and received high marks from the critics. It ultimately developed a cult following.
In the superhero movie “Batman Returns,” which was released in 1992, he portrayed the supervillain “Penguin’s” father. He also had a significant part in the comedy-horror movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” that same year. Despite receiving a mixed bag of reviews, the movie was a commercial success.
He appeared in films including “Blow” (2001), “Reno 911! : Miami” (2007), “The Smurfs” (2011), and “The Smurfs 2” (2013) throughout the succeeding years. He appeared in the television special “The Pee-wee Herman Show” in 2011. He was nominated for another Emmy for it.
He has also appeared in a number of TV series as a guest over the years. He provided a supporting voice for a character in the animated science fiction TV series “Tron: Uprising” from 2012 to 2013.
The third feature film based on his Pee-wee persona, “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” was co-produced, co-written, and starred him in the title role in 2016. The movie, which was made available on Netflix, was well welcomed by critics.
Major Works
The most well-known role that Paul Reubens has is that of Pee-wee Herman, who he created and played in a number of films and TV episodes. The Pee-wee Herman Show, an HBO special from 1981, featured the character for the first time. Due to the character’s rising popularity, Reubens brought it to the big screen in the 1985 smash movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.”
He has a significant part in the horror comedy movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” The movie, which was directed by Fran Rubel, is about a cheerleader who learns that it is her destiny to hunt vampires. The movie’s box office performance was average, and the reviews were generally unfavourable.
Family & Personal Life
Paul Reubens has had two arrests. The first instance occurred in Florida in July 1991 for indecent exposure at an adult theatre. The second time was in 2002, when child pornography-related accusations were levelled but later withdrawn.
Chandi Heffner was his first wife, but little is known about her or their marriage. His sexuality is the subject of many rumours, and it is frequently assumed that he is gay.