Comprehensive information and links about Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York), is a Jewish-American actor, writer, and comedian, best known professionally for his character "Pee-wee Herman".

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Early development

In the 1970s, Reubens performed at local comedy clubs and made four guest appearances on . He soon joined the L.A.-based improvisational comedy team The Groundlings and remained a member for six years, working with Bob McClurg, John Paragon, Susan Barnes, and Phil Hartman. Reubens wrote sketches and developed his improvisational skills. He also forged a significant friendship and working relationship with Hartman, with whom he developed the "Pee-wee Herman" character. Pee-wee was an eccentric man-child in a too-small grey suit, red bow tie, short buzz cut, and a perpetually giddy disposition. His distinctive prior to Eddie Murphy's first season, but wasn't accepted into the cast. Instead, he started a stage show with the Herman character. Originally, Reubens imbued "Pee-wee" with a sexuality that was later toned down as the character made the transition from raucous night club to children's television (though sexual innuendo was still readily apparent, especially with the "Cowboy Curtis" and "Miss Yvonne" segments; Curtis was played by actor Laurence Fishburne and Miss Yvonne was played by Lynne Marie Stewart). His stage show was immortalized by HBO when

While on a Warner Bros. set, Reubens noticed that most of the people rode around on bicycles, and asked when he would get his. Warner Bros. presented him with a refurbished 1940s Schwinn; Reubens then abandoned the Pee-wee Herman he was writing in favor of one about Herman's love for his bike and his efforts to locate it once it's stolen. Hartman, Reubens, and Michael Varhol co-wrote the and in 1985 the film, directed by Tim Burton, was released. Pee-wee was the originator of the Pee-wee dance in the movie.

The following year in 1986, Pee-wee (along with Hartman) found a home on the small screen with the Saturday morning children's program on the American CBS network for the next five years (Hartman, the actress that played Mrs. Steve, and the actor who played Tito the Playhouse Lifeguard only appeared on the show for the first 13 episodes before the three characters were dropped from the show). The show starred Pee-wee living in a wild and wacky house, known as the Playhouse, full of talking chairs, animals, robots, and other puppet and human characters. During the time aired it garnered 22 Emmy Awards.

In 1986, credited as '"Paul Mall'", Reubens provided the voice of the spacecraft robotic commander, Max in Disney's .

In 1987, he provided the voice of REX, the bumbling pilot droid in the Disneyland attraction, Star Tours.

In 1987, he reprised the role of Pee-Wee Herman in a cameo appearance in the film .

On July 26, 1991, Reubens was arrested in Sarasota, Florida, for allegedly masturbating in an adult movie theater. The news media went into a frenzy and the scandal marked the near-death of the character "Pee-wee Herman" which reduced both the actor and the persona to a cruel punchline. Although the series had already ended by that time, CBS reacted by dropping its reruns from their lineup. Reubens made a deal with the Sarasota County court: in exchange for a fine and a few public service announcements, Reubens was given a clean record.

Reubens appeared as Pee-wee for the last time in the September 5, 1991, MTV Video Music Awards, where he was given a standing ovation. Pee-wee asked the audience, "Heard any good jokes lately?" His arrest was the target of a great deal of humor, and some controversy over the application of indecency laws to adult-oriented settings like pornographic theaters.

Reubens continues to appear in film and on television, with notable film roles in .

Reubens has been a member of the Church of the SubGenius since 1981, though the Church has stated that he still owes them $10 in membership fees.sup title="Needs citation"

In 2001, Reubens announced plans for bringing Pee-wee Herman back for another film or two; as of 2006, he has not achieved this goal.

Reubens was arrested again in 2002 in connection with an investigation involving child pornography, which coincided with an unrelated child pornography case involving actor Jeffrey Jones. Public news stories concerning his case cast doubt upon the suggestion that Reubens intentionally acquired child pornography, as he stated that he was a collector of "erotic artwork" and that he had a sizable collection of vintage erotica with samples dating back to the 18th century. On March 22, 2004, child pornography charges against him were dropped after he pleaded guilty to a separate "misdemeanor obscenity charge."