Paul Reubens Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What was Paul Reubens’ Net Worth and Salary?

Known for his character/alter ego, “Pee-wee Herman,” Paul Reubens was an American comedian, actor, and television personality who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his passing. On July 31, 2023, Paul Reubens died at the age of 70. He rose to fame with the character Pee-wee Herman, a quirky man-child he initially introduced in the late 1970s while performing with The Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy group.

In 1981, Reubens evolved the Pee-wee character into a cult stage production, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which later became an HBO special. This accomplishment led to 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.

Reubens had a varied career beyond Pee-wee, appearing in films like “Batman Returns” (1992), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001), along with television shows such as “30 Rock” and “Black Mirror.” Although he faced various controversies in his personal life, Reubens remained widely loved for his creativity and commitment to his art.

Early Life

Born Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York, Paul Reubens was raised by his parents, Judy (née Rosen) and Milton Rubenfeld, who owned a lamp store in Sarasota, Florida. Growing up alongside his two younger siblings, Abby and Luke, his father, Milton, a former automobile salesman, 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. As a child, Reubens frequently attended circus performances of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, whose winter headquarters were in Sarasota, Florida. This early introduction to the circus ignited his passion for entertainment and significantly influenced his unique style.

At Sarasota High School, Reubens was heavily engaged in theater and held the presidency of the National Thespian Society. He was accepted into Northwestern University’s summer program for gifted high school students and continued his education at Boston University while auditioning for various acting schools. After facing rejections from institutions like Juilliard and Carnegie-Mellon, he decided to relocate to California to study at the California Institute of the Arts. During his academic journey, he supported himself by working in restaurant kitchens, selling Fuller Brushes, and performing at local comedy clubs during the 1970s. He spent six years as a member of the Los Angeles improv comedy team, The Groundlings.

Early Pee-Wee Herman

The persona of “Pee-Wee Herman” was born during a 1978 improvisation session with The Groundlings. The character is inspired by a man aspiring to be a comic but failing miserably at telling jokes, making it evident to everyone that success is unattainable. Reubens adopted Pee-Wee’s distinctive speech pattern in 1970 when he was cast as an obnoxious character in a production of “Life with Father.” The name “Pee-Wee” was derived from the Pee Wee brand of harmonicas, while “Herman” came from the name of a boy Reubens knew in his childhood.

Television Success

Initially, Reubens auditioned for the 1980-1981 season of “Saturday Night Live,” but the role went to Gilbert Gottfried, who shared a similar comedic style and was well-connected with the show’s producer. Frustrated by his rejection, Reubens decided to borrow money to launch his own show in Los

The character of Pee-Wee Herman was inspired by Reubens’ work in Los Angeles, backed by other Groundlings such as John Paragon, Phil Hartman, and Lynne Marie Stewart. For five consecutive months, “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” sold out at The Roxy Theatre, featuring midnight performances for adults alongside afternoon shows designed for children. In 1981, HBO boosted his visibility by airing “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” as part of their “On Location” series. As Pee-Wee’s popularity surged, Reubens began to exclusively make public appearances and conduct interviews in character, promoting Pee-Wee as if he were a real person rather than Reubens himself. His fame and success continued to grow through appearances on programs like “Late Night with David Letterman” during the mid-1980s, as well as by touring the country with “The Pee-Wee Herman Show.”

Film Success

In light of the success gained from “The Pee-Wee Herman Show,” Warner Bros. approached Reubens to create a full-length feature film. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) portrays Pee-Wee embarking on a cross-country quest to find his stolen bicycle. After viewing Tim Burton’s earlier works, specifically “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984), Reubens and the film’s producers selected him to direct. The film turned out to be a tremendous success, earning over $40 million in the U.S. alone against a modest budget of $7 million. Although it received mixed critical reviews, it later achieved cult classic status. In 1986, CBS contacted Reubens to develop his own live-action children’s show where he not only acted but also took on roles as producer and director. “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” aired from 1986 to 1990 with an impressive budget of $325,000 per episode and garnered viewership from both children and adults alike.

1991 Arrest and Comeback

As many are aware, Paul Reubens faced a significant career setback in 1991 following his arrest in Florida on charges of indecent exposure. This incident tarnished his previously pristine image, leading CBS to remove reruns of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse from their programming.

In due course, he managed to rebuild his career, featuring in films such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992), “Matilda” (1996), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001). Additionally, he secured a recurring part on the popular sitcom “Murphy Brown.”

In 2010, he revived Pee-Wee on Broadway with “The Pee-Wee Herman Show.”

The following year, he voiced the character Jokey in the family comedy “The Smurfs” and returned for the 2013 sequel.

Netflix launched “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” in 2016.

Personal Life

Apart from his 1991 arrest, Herman faced a loitering and prowling charge in 1971 (which was later dropped). In 1983, he was placed on probation for two years for marijuana possession. Furthermore, in 2002, he was arrested and charged with possessing obscene materials depicting a minor in sexual conduct. Reubens maintained his innocence, asserting that the seized items were merely part of his vintage erotica collection.

Real Estate

In 1985, Paul utilized earnings from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” to purchase a 3,000-square-foot home on 1.4 acres in LA’s Los Feliz area for $415,000. This abode served as his primary residence for the subsequent four decades. In May 2024, Paul’s estate listed the property for just under $5 million, and it sold in July 2024 for $3.8 million.