Paul Reubens Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What was Paul Reubens’ Net Worth and Salary?

Known for his memorable character “Pee-wee Herman,” Paul Reubens was an American comedian, actor, and television figure whose net worth stood at $5 million upon his passing. On July 31, 2023, Reubens died at the age of 70. He gained fame for portraying Pee-wee Herman, the quirky man-child persona he first showcased in the late 1970s as part of The Groundlings, a comedic improvisational group.

Reubens created a cult stage production, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” in 1981 that later became an HBO special. This achievement paved the way for the children’s television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986-1990) and the feature films “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) and “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988). His portrayal in “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” earned him an Emmy Award in 1987.

Paul Reubens also had a varied career outside of Pee-wee, featuring in films like “Batman Returns” (1992), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001), as well as television shows such as “30 Rock” and “Black Mirror.” Despite facing some controversies in his personal life, he remained cherished for his imaginative spirit and commitment to his artistry.

Early Life

Born Paul Rubenfeld in Peekskill, New York, on August 27, 1952, Paul Reubens was raised in Sarasota, Florida, by his parents Judy (née Rosen) and Milton Rubenfeld, who owned a lamp store. He grew up with his two younger siblings, Abby and Luke. Milton Rubenfeld, Paul’s father, had a rich background as an automobile salesman, a pilot for the British Royal Air Force, and a founding pilot of the Israeli Air Force in World War II. During his upbringing, Reubens frequently attended circus performances by the Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Circus, whose winter headquarters were situated in Sarasota. This formative exposure to the circus influenced his entertainment style throughout his career.

Reubens was a notable figure at Sarasota High School, participating actively in theater, and served as the president of the National Thespian Society. He was accepted into a summer program for gifted high-school students at Northwestern University. Later, he attended Boston University, where he auditioned for several acting schools. After facing rejections from prestigious institutions including Juilliard and Carnegie-Mellon, he made the move to California to study at the California Institute of the Arts. Simultaneously, he supported himself by working in restaurant kitchens, selling Fuller Brush products, and performing at local comedy clubs during the 1970s. For six years, he was part of the Los Angeles improvisational comedy troupe, The Groundlings.

Early Pee-Wee Herman

The conception of “Pee-Wee Herman” took place during a 1978 improvisation session with The Groundlings, embodying a character who aspires to be a comedian despite his inability to tell jokes well, thus making it evident that success is unlikely. Reubens crafted Pee-wee’s distinctive speech pattern in 1970 while playing an obnoxious role in “Life with Father.” The name “Pee-Wee” was inspired by the Pee Wee brand harmonica, while “Herman” was borrowed from a childhood acquaintance of Reubens.

Television Success

Initially, Reubens auditioned for the 1980-1981 season of “Saturday Night Live.” However, Gilbert Gottfried, who shared a similar acting style and was friends with a show producer, secured the role instead. Feeling disappointed by the rejection, Reubens took a loan and launched his own show in Los…

The Pee-Wee Herman character, inspired by someone from Los Angeles, was supported by fellow Groundlings such as John Paragon, Phil Hartman, and Lynne Marie Stewart. For five months, “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” was a hit at The Roxy Theatre, where he held midnight performances for adults and matinees for children. HBO played a crucial role in bringing his show to a wider audience by airing “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” in 1981 as part of their “On Location” series. As Pee-Wee’s popularity soared, Reubens started to make all of his public appearances and interviews in character, promoting Pee-Wee as the name rather than his own, aiming to “make the public believe that he was a real person.” His fame and success continued to grow through appearances on programs like “Late Night with David Letterman” in the mid-1980s, as well as touring “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” across the nation.

Film Success

After the success witnessed by “The Pee-Wee Herman Show,” Warner Bros. sought out Reubens to create a full-length movie featuring Pee-Wee Herman. In “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), Pee-Wee embarks on a cross-country trip to retrieve his stolen bicycle. Reubens and the movie’s producers chose Tim Burton for the directing role after appreciating his previous works, “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984). The film turned out to be a significant success, earning over $40 million in domestic box office sales against a relatively modest budget of $7 million. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it went on to gain cult film status. CBS approached Reubens in 1986 to develop a live-action children’s program, for which he not only acted but also took on the roles of producer and director. “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” aired from 1986 to 1990, boasting a budget of $325,000 per episode. Although aimed at children, the series garnered a substantial adult following as well.

1991 Arrest and Comeback

As many know, Paul Reubens faced a significant career setback in 1991 due to an arrest in Florida for indecent exposure, which tarnished his previously pristine image, leading CBS to remove reruns of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse from their schedule.

Gradually, he staged a career comeback with roles in films like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992), “Matilda” (1996), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001). He also secured a recurring part on the successful sitcom “Murphy Brown.”

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

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

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

Personal Life

Apart from his 1991 arrest, Herman experienced a prior arrest in 1971 for loitering and prowling (charges were eventually dropped). In 1983, he was put on probation for two years because of marijuana possession. Furthermore, in 2002, he faced arrest and charges for possessing obscene material that allegedly depicted a child under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. He maintained his innocence, asserting that the materials found in his residence were part of his vintage erotica collection.

Real Estate

In 1985, with earnings from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” Paul acquired a 3,000-square-foot home on 1.4 acres in LA’s Los Feliz neighborhood for $415,000. This property served as his primary residence for four decades. In May 2024, Paul’s estate listed the home for sale for just under $5 million, ultimately selling in July 2024 for $3.8 million.