Paul Reubens Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Was Paul Reubens’ Net Worth and Salary?

Paul Reubens, famously known for his character “Pee-wee Herman,” was an American comedian, actor, and television personality with a net worth of $5 million at the time of his passing. He died on July 31, 2023, at the age of 70. Most recognized for his portrayal of Pee-wee Herman, a quirky and eccentric man-child, Reubens first introduced the character in the late 1970s while performing with The Groundlings, a comedy and improvisational troupe.

In 1981, the Pee-wee character evolved into a beloved stage production, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which subsequently became an HBO special. This success paved the way for the children’s television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986-1990) as well as the feature films “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) and “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988). His work on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” earned him an Emmy Award in 1987.

Aside from Pee-wee, Reubens had a varied career, featuring in movies like “Batman Returns” (1992), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001), as well as television series such as “30 Rock” and “Black Mirror.” Although his personal life included some controversial incidents, Reubens was deeply cherished for his creativity and commitment to his work.

Early Life

Born Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York, Paul Reubens was raised in a lamp store run by his parents, Judy (née Rosen) and Milton Rubenfeld, in Sarasota, Florida, alongside his younger siblings, Abby and Luke. His father, Milton, not only worked as an automobile salesman but also served in the British Royal Air Force and the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, and was a founding pilot of the Israeli Air Force. Reubens developed a passion for entertainment through frequent visits to circus performances by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which were based in Sarasota during the winter months. This exposure greatly influenced his unique and entertaining style.

While attending Sarasota High School, Reubens engaged actively in theater and held the position of president of the National Thespian Society. He participated in a summer program for gifted high school students at Northwestern University. After attending Boston University and auditioning at several acting schools, he relocated to California to enroll at the California Institute of the Arts following rejections from institutions like Juilliard and Carnegie-Mellon. Throughout his time in school, he also worked in restaurant kitchens, sold Fuller Brush products, and performed at local comedy clubs in the 1970s. He spent six years as part of the Los Angeles improvisational comedy group The Groundlings.

Early Pee-Wee Herman

The creation of the “Pee-Wee Herman” character occurred during an improvisational session with The Groundlings in 1978. The character embodies a man with aspirations of becoming a comedian, but whose inability to tell jokes demonstrates his lack of potential for success. Reubens adopted Pee-Wee’s unique speaking style in 1970 while portraying an extremely obnoxious character in a production of “Life with Father.” The name “Pee-Wee” originated from the Pee Wee brand of harmonica, while “Herman” was inspired by a boy Reubens knew in his childhood.

Television Success

Initially, Reubens auditioned for the “Saturday Night Live” cast during the 1980-1981 season, but Gilbert Gottfried, who had a similar comedic style and was good friends with a producer associated with the show, secured a role instead. Disheartened by this setback, Reubens borrowed funds to produce his own show in Los

Angeles was created based on the character Pee-Wee Herman. He received support from fellow Groundlings, including John Paragon, Phil Hartman, and Lynne Marie Stewart. “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” witnessed five sellout months at The Roxy Theatre, featuring midnight performances for adults and matinee shows for children. HBO played a crucial role in mainstreaming his show by airing “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” in 1981 as part of their “On Location” series. With Pee-Wee’s rising popularity, Reubens began to make all public appearances and conduct interviews in character, promoting the persona as Pee-Wee rather than using his real name, aiming to “get the public to think that that was a real person.” His subsequent appearances on shows like “Late Night with David Letterman” during the mid-1980s as Pee-Wee, along with touring the country with “The Pee-Wee Herman Show,” further enhanced his fame and success.

Film Success

Due to the success and acclaim of “The Pee-Wee Herman Show,” Warner Bros. enlisted Reubens to write a full-length film featuring Pee-Wee Herman. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) chronicles Pee-Wee’s quest across the nation to retrieve his stolen bicycle. After witnessing Tim Burton’s work on “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984), Reubens and the film’s producers decided to have him direct. The film was a tremendous success, earning over $40 million domestically on a modest $7 million budget. Despite receiving mixed critical feedback, the film has since attained cult status. In 1986, CBS reached out to Reubens to create a live-action children’s program, where he not only acted but also produced and directed. “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” aired from 1986 to 1990, with a budget of $325,000 per episode. Although primarily aimed at children, many adults also found it enjoyable.

1991 Arrest and Comeback

As is widely known, Paul Reubens faced a significant career setback in 1991 when he was arrested in Florida for indecent exposure. This scandal tarnished his previously pristine image, leading CBS to remove reruns of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse from their schedule.

Gradually, he made a comeback through appearances in films such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992), “Matilda” (1996), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001). He later secured a recurring role on the hit sitcom “Murphy Brown.”

In 2010, he returned Pee-Wee to Broadway with “The Pee-Wee Herman Show.”

The following year, he made his debut as the voice of Jokey in the family comedy “The Smurfs,” and also contributed to its 2013 sequel.

In 2016, Netflix premiered “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.”

Personal Life

In addition to his 1991 arrest, Herman faced an earlier arrest in 1971 for loitering and prowling, with the charges eventually dropped. He was placed on probation for two years in 1983 for possession of marijuana. In 2002, he encountered legal issues again when arrested for possessing obscene material allegedly depicting a child under 18 in sexual conduct. He maintained his innocence, asserting that the items found in his home were part of his vintage erotica collection.

Real Estate

In 1985, using money from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Paul acquired a 3,000-square-foot home set on 1.4 acres in LA’s Los Feliz neighborhood for $415,000. This would serve as his main residence for the subsequent four decades. In May 2024, Paul’s estate listed the home for sale at just under $5 million, and it sold in July 2024 for $3.8 million.