Veteran Actor, Writer, & Producer Got His Start Doing Stand Up Comedy In the 1970's

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

He's an accomplished actor, writer, producer, and New York Times best-selling author with a long and impressive resume. Baby boomers fiirst became aware of Paul Reiser for his pivotal roles in 'Diner' '(1982), 'Aliens' (1986), and the 'Beverly Hills Cop' trilogy, as well for his two early sitcoms, 'My Two Dads' (1987-90), and 'Mad About You' (1992-99). 

However, long before he became a household name Reiser was cutting his teeth doing stand up in and around his native New York City during the mid to late 1970's. The veteran performer admits to being comfortable on stage. "Without question. It's how I go my start."

Despite having success across several entertainment mediums, stand up comedy tops his list. "It's always been my first love." The reasons are rather simple. "It's refreshing. It's uncomplicated, and it's live." Being in control is perhaps one of the biggest factors. "I don't have writers, producers, or the networks telling me what I can and can't do. I'm responsible for everything that takes place on stage. It's all on me."

Are people surprised Reiser who turns 70 on March 30th performs stand up. Younger audiences are perhaps more familiar with him from his role as sympathetic Dr. Sam Owens in the popular Netflix science-fiction horror series 'Stranger Things', or his Emmy nominated role as Martin Schneider in Netflix's 'The Kominsky Method' opposite Michael Douglas.

"It's funny. Now people know me from parallel lives. I have people who know me from my earlier sitcoms, and others that recognize me from 'Stranger Things'. I wasn't out doing stand up for 20 years after 'Mad About You'. That's an entire generation. But it never leaves you."

Like many before him and his contemporaries, Reiser sensed he had a calling in comedy early on. "I just always kind of knew." He makes a comparison. "You can watch a Yankees game and say to yourself 'I'm not gonna do that. I'm not gonna be a ball player'. But I watched comics and felt I could do what they do. I've always been drawn to comedy."

Hoping to make his mark in the 1970's Reiser says he looked to several of the comedy giants at the time. "All the usual suspects. George Carlin, Robert Klein, Richard Pryor, and David Brenner were among my earliest influences. I remember being 15 years old, staying up late to watch them on The Tonight Show. During the week I'd keep the volume down on the TV so my parents weren't aware of my activities."

Just 18 years of age in 1974, Reiser recalls his first ever time performing before a live audience, at New York City's famed 'Catch a Rising Star'. "It was audition night. I probably went on about 1am in the morning. It wasn't good. But you're young and you don't know, and you're kind of protected by fellow comedians." He adds, "Years later I found a cassette of that night I recognize my ignorance at the time."

Less than a decade later (1982) Reiser would make the first of several appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. He remembers it well. "I was nervous. Tens of millions of people tuned in to watch Johnny every night. And comics wanted Johnny's seal of approval because it helped get us work."

Reiser explains in detail. "I remember meeting other comedians or people in the entertainment industry and telling them I was a stand up comic and they'd all say, 'have you been on The Tonight Show. That was the 'Gold Standard'. Coming up as far as I could see in the future, being on The Tonight Show was it for me. For a lot of comedians it means we've arrived."

And with that, Reiser's Hollywood star was on the rise, appearing in blockbuster films which lead to his first sitcom 'My Two Dad's ('87-'90) opposite seasoned TV and stage actor Greg Evigan. By the time the decade was closing and the 90's were unfolding prime time TV became a breeding ground for sitcoms centered around veteran stand ups comedians, with shows such as 'Roseanne', 'Seinfeld', and 'Home Improvement' paving the way for 'Mad About You'.

Several of Reiser's contemporaries followed stand up acts to sitcome success including Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond), Drew Carey (Drew Carey Show), Ellen DeGeneres (Ellen), and Kevin James (King of Queens). Reiser defines the formula. "If you want to have a successful sitcom the DNA is in the comedy." He jokingly adds. "If you're doing a show about fire than you hire a fireman. If you're doing a sitcom you hire a comedian."

A winner of four Golden Globe Awards and twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, 'Mad About You' ('92-'99) was a ratings juggernaut. As co-creator, writer, and star, Reiser views the show as a reflection of his own life as a newly married man, capturing the intimate, often funny moments a couple shares when they are finally alone. Reiser and his wife Paula wed in 1988. 

"I take a lot of pride in the show. I wanted it to be different and funny, and I believe we achieved that. 'Mad About You' reflects me more than anything I've ever done. I am Paul Buchman (his character on the show)." Reiser starred opposite Helen Hunt, who portrayed his wife Jamie. "We hit it off instantly. Working alongside Helen was effortless. And the rest of the regular cast, we were very close."

During its seven year run 'Mad About You' featured countless stars from all walks of life including fellow TV & movie stars, comedians, singers, and sports figures. Among the celebs who've appeared on the show include Sid Caesar, Carol Burnett, Caroll O'Connor, Jerry Lewis, Mel Brooks, Lisa Kudrow, Carl Reiner, Robert Klein, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Garth Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, and Kevin Bacon. "Believe me, we had a lot of fun shooting the show, and even more fun behind the scenes."

While 'Mad About You' ran on NBC during its entire run, in 2019 Sony Pictures Television with the Spectrum Channel revisited the series with a limited 12 episode run. While crtics were mixed, the revival was met with enthusiasm by loyal fans of the show, as they welcomed the Buchman's back into their lives.

In his 45 plus years of making his way in Hollywood, Reiser has put his mark on several iconic movie roles, starred in two successful sitcoms, and been a part of 'Stranger Things'. To what does he attribute his non-stop work in the entertainment industry including the Netflix sci-fi horror series.

"I learned early on to say yes to projects and roles that were offered to me." Regarding 'Stranger Things', "I had seen the first season and thought it was interesting. In season two the creators (Duffer Brothers) came to me and said they developed a character with me in mind." They were fans of Reiser's role as Burke in 'Aliens'. "So they based Dr. Sam Owens on Burke, and it was the easiest casting call I ever had."

As if his life hasn't been full enough, Reiser has written three books based on family life. The first 'Couplehood' explores the funny and relatable aspects of love, marriage, and relationships. "I was two years into 'Mad About You' and a publisher approached me about a book. I just took my act, repurposed it and added what I was doing on the show and it became a book." 'Couplehood' was a massive success, spending over 40 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. 

A few years later Reiser came out with 'Babyhood' (1997), following his journey from a child-free life to becoming a first-time father. "It was a natural progression. It was just the two of us and then a baby comes along." It would be another 14 years before he capped it off with 'Familyhood', chronicling his experiences with marriage, parenting, and mid-life, with the short essays exploring the journey of raising children.

Reiser is putting his writing skills to work once again, as he has partnered with his son Leon, and Adam F. Goldberg (creator of The Goldbergs) to create a new family comedy for the Fox Network. "It's still in the development stage. We've written a script and working on a second." Reiser agrees they are working on something really special, with an obvious upside for him. "It's just good for me to be able to write with my son."

Generally regarded in Hollywood as a respected, enduring, and versatile industry veteran, Reiser carries a reputation as a steady, professional actor and creator, as well as maintaining strong and long-term relationships. In 2022 he revisited his first love launching out on the appropriately titled 'The Return Tour', bringing his comedy genius to concert halls all across America. In 2024 he added the comedy special 'Life, Death, & Rice Pudding' to his stand-up arsenal.

"It was time for me to get back out there. I needed to re-establish my credentials and prove to myself I still had what it takes to do stand-up." The seasoned comedian is known for his self-deprecation and observational humor. "I find the funny in everyday life. Marriage, raising kids, and getting older. A lot of my comedy reflects my life."

Fortunately for mixed audiences and comedy fans of all ages, Reiser is widely considered a clean comic, not known to litter his routines with expletives. "That's a fair description of my stand-up."

Charleston fans will have an opportunity to assess Paul Reiser's stand up for themselves, as he brings his brand of comedy to the Charleston Music Hall on Friday March 20th. For tickets and info visit https://charlestonmusichall.com/event/paul-reiser-copy/