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Paul Reubens Biography

Birth Name:Paul Rubenfeld

Birth Place:Peekskill, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Director, Set decorator, Music department

Fast Facts

Studied at Illinois' Northwestern University, Boston University and the California Institute of the Arts
Quote: "I always sort of felt like Pee-wee Herman was performance art a little bit, and what I personally liked about it was that I was the only person who knew that․"
Performed in character as Pee-wee Herman in the 1985 comedy "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," Tim Burton's directorial debut
Directed, produced and starred in his own hit children's series, "Pee-wee's Playhouse․"
Provided the voice of the character Lock in Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas․"
Made an appearance in Elton John's 2002 music video "This Train Doesn't Stop Their Anymore․"
Was elected president of the National Thespian Society while attending Florida's Sarasota High School
Developed his hilarious alter ego "Pee-wee Herman" in 1978

Awards

1987Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Series: nominated
1987Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series: nominated
1987Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming: nominated
1988Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming: nominated
1988Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Directing in Children's Programming: nominated
1988Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Children's Series: nominated
1988Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design: winner
1988Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Series: nominated
1989Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design: nominated
1989Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
1990Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series: nominated
1990Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series: nominated
1990Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design: nominated
1990Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Series: nominated
1991Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Graphics and Title Design: winner
1991Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Children's Series: nominated
1991Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series: nominated
1991Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series: nominated
1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996Q Award-Best Recurring Player: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2008OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2010Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2011NAVGTR Award-Supporting Performance in a Comedy: winner
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special: nominated
2016BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role: nominated
2016BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role: winner
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special: winner
2026Independent Spirit Award-Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series: winner
2026PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television: winner