Paul Reubens Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What was Paul Reubens’ Net Worth and Salary?

At the time of his passing, Paul Reubens, famously known as “Pee-wee Herman,” had a net worth of $5 million. He passed away on July 31, 2023, at the age of 70. Reubens gained fame through his portrayal of the quirky and eccentric Pee-wee Herman, a character he first brought to life in the late 1970s while performing with The Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe.

In 1981, he reinvented the Pee-wee character for a cult stage show titled “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which later transitioned into an HBO special. This success paved the way for the creation of the beloved children’s television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986-1990) and feature films, including “Pee-wee’s BigThe character of Pee-Wee Herman was created in Los Angeles and was supported by fellow Groundlings such as John Paragon, Phil Hartman, and Lynne Marie Stewart. “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” had a successful five-month run at The Roxy Theatre, where he held midnight shows for adults along with matinees for kids. HBO played a key 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 began to make all appearances and interviews while in character, promoting Pee-Wee as a distinct persona separate from his real name to “get the public to think that that was a real person.” His further appearances on programs like “Late Night with David Letterman” in the mid-1980s, along with touring “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” across the nation, significantly enhanced his fame and success.

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Film Success

Warner Bros. took notice of the success that “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” enjoyed and sought Reubens to write a full-length film featuring the character. The resulting movie, “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), depicts Pee-Wee on a cross-country quest to retrieve his bike that was stolen. After viewing Tim Burton’s earlier works, “Vincent” (1982) and “Frankenweenie” (1984), Reubens and the film’s producers chose him as the director. The film proved to be a blockbuster, making over $40 million domestically against a modest budget of $7 million. While critical reviews were mixed, it later gained a status as a cult classic. In 1986, CBS approached Reubens to develop a live-action children’s program. Not only did he act in the series, but he also took on the roles of producer and director. “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” aired from 1986 to 1990, with an impressive budget of $325,000 per episode. Although primarily aimed at children, it garnered a considerable adult audience as well.

1991 Arrest and Comeback

As many might remember, Paul Reubens faced a significant career setback in 1991 when he was arrested in Florida on charges of 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, appearing in films such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992), “Matilda” (1996), “Mystery Men” (1999), and “Blow” (2001). He also secured a recurring role on the hit sitcom “Murphy Brown.”

In 2010, Pee-Wee made a return to Broadway with “The Pee-Wee Herman Show.”

The following year, he lent his voice to the character Jokey in the family comedy “The Smurfs,” continuing his work with the franchise in its 2013 sequel.

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

Personal Life

Alongside his 1991 arrest, Herman had a prior encounter with the law in 1971 for loitering and prowling, though those charges were dismissed. In 1983, he received a two-year probation for marijuana possession. In 2002, he faced arrest again, this time charged with possessing obscene material allegedly depicting minors in sexual acts. Reubens asserted his innocence, clarifying that the materials found were part of his vintage erotica collection.

Real Estate

In 1985, Paul Reubens utilized his earnings from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” to purchase a 3,000-square-foot residence on a 1.4-acre lot in LA’s Los Feliz neighborhood for $415,000. This house served as his main home for the next forty years. In May 2024, his estate listed the property for just under $5 million, ultimately selling in July 2024 for $3.8 million.