He first met her while performing in a small comedy club in Pittsburgh. Years later, one of their children would face a medical diagnosis that changed their family’s daily life. Around the same time, his name began disappearing from casting announcements and red carpets.

At a time when his face was a regular fixture on network television and his name carried weight in both comedy and film, he made a choice that redirected the course of his life. Offers were still coming in, but he began turning his attention toward responsibilities at home, especially as one of his children required constant care.

His absence from Hollywood wasn’t abrupt, but over time, the spotlight faded as he prioritized work that allowed him to stay close to his family. What followed was a career defined less by visibility and more by intention, revealing the lesser-known side of a public figure who, for a while, chose to step out of the limelight.

Stand-Up Roots and Early Film Work

Long before his name appeared in opening credits, he was trying to build a name for himself in New York’s stand-up comedy scene. His early ambition was modest — he hoped to land a spot on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

However, his style — dry, self-aware, and conversational — caught on quickly, and the exposure he gained on stage led to film work. By the early 1980s, he had transitioned into acting with roles that would set the tone for his career.

He made his film debut in 1982’s “Diner,” followed by standout performances in box office hits like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Aliens,” and “Beverly Hills Cop II.” Each role showcased his timing and range, balancing humor with sincerity, introducing him to a wider audience.

More film credits followed in the ’90s to the 2000s, including “The Marrying Man,” “Bye Bye Love,” and “One Night at McCool’s, each adding to his reputation for low-key delivery and timing. These appearances helped him build a steady career in film, but it was television that would bring him the most recognition.

Rise to TV Stardom with ‘Mad About You’

In 1992, he co-created and starred in the NBC sitcom “Mad About You,” a series that would become one of the defining shows of the decade. Paired with Helen Hunt, he played Paul Buchman, a documentary filmmaker navigating married life in New York City.

The show ran for seven seasons, ending in 1999, and received multiple awards and nominations during its run. He was nominated for ten Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, several Screen Actors Guild Awards, and American Comedy Awards for his role.

The show itself won several Emmys and Golden Globes, earning critical acclaim for its writing, timing, and grounded portrayal of marriage. During the same period, he became a bestselling author.

His first book, “Couplehood,” written in his familiar comedic voice, sold more than two million copies and reached No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list. He followed it with “Babyhood” and later “Familyhood,” both centered around personal reflections on parenting and daily life.

The success of these books expanded his reach beyond television and stand-up. As both a performer and writer, he became one of the most recognizable figures of the 1990s entertainment industry.

Raising a Son with Cerebral Palsy

In 1982, while performing stand-up at a comedy club in Pittsburgh, he met Paula Ravets, who was working there as a waitress. They married in 1988 and went on to have two sons, Ezra and Leon. Ezra, their eldest, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy — a condition that would come to shape many of their day-to-day decisions.

The actor didn’t speak publicly about Ezra’s condition until years later. In 2016, during The Center’s 15th annual luncheon in Houston, he addressed the audience with a mix of sincerity and humor, sharing details about Ezra’s life and their family’s experience.

The tone was consistent with how he had often written about parenting — honest, observant, and never self-pitying. His later remarks made clear that the demands at home played a role in how he structured his professional life.

While he never stepped away completely, his on-screen appearances became less frequent as his family responsibilities took precedence.

Shift to Writing, Producing, and Theater

As his priorities shifted at home, his work in the entertainment industry moved largely behind the scenes. In the early 2000s, he focused on writing and producing through his company, Nuance Productions.

Among the projects developed were original films and series for NBC and Showtime, including “Strange Relations” (2001), starring Julie Walters, and Women vs. Men (2002), featuring Joe Mantegna and Christine Lahti.

In 2003, he made his stage debut in “Writer’s Block,” a two-part play directed by Woody Allen. Two years later, he wrote and starred in the film “The Thing About My Folks” (2005), acting opposite Peter Falk, Olympia Dukakis, and Elizabeth Perkins.

The story, which he also scripted, centered on a father-son relationship and further reflected his shift toward more personal, character-driven projects.

Though he no longer appeared regularly on television or in studio films, he remained active in creative roles that gave him more flexibility. This allowed him to continue working without compromising time with his family.

Return to Television and Streaming Roles

In the years that followed, he gradually returned to acting, taking on roles that fit around his family life. He joined the cast of FX’s “Married,” appeared in Amazon’s “Red Oaks,” and later took a recurring role in Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method,” working alongside Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin.

His reappearance in the popular series introduced him to a new generation of viewers. In 2017, he was cast as Dr. Sam Owens in “Stranger Things,” a government official involved in the show’s central mystery. The role continued into later seasons and brought him back into mainstream visibility.

Then, in 2022, he made a guest appearance in “The Boys,” taking on the role of The Legend — a former Vought executive known for managing superheroes. Speaking to Variety, he admitted that he hadn’t been familiar with the show prior to being cast.

“I knew precious little about the show. I had not seen the show. I don’t think I’d heard of the show,” he said. “But the fun part is to get invited and jump in.” The roles were selective but notable — each one a reminder of Paul Reiser’s range, and his comfort with stepping back in when the timing was right.

Rebooting ‘Mad About You’ and Collaboration with Helen Hunt

In 2019, two decades after “Mad About You” ended its original run, Paul and Helen returned to the series for a reboot. Premiering on Spectrum Originals, the revival revisited their characters — Paul and Jamie Buchman — now adjusting to life as their daughter leaves for college.

In the years between the two series, the longtime co-stars had remained close. “We had lunch every few months,” Helen revealed in 2019. “I’d hear about what he was working on or how his kids were and vice versa.” Paul added, “It was like being with your best friend. We would hit the ground running.”

Their off-screen dynamic continued to inform their on-screen partnership. Helen said, “Working with Paul is the most fun… We are so like-minded and that’s just very comforting.” Paul echoed the sentiment.

“I feel bad for the people around us. We just mutter code words. And people overhear us and say, ‘You sound like an old married couple,'” he said. Both actors admitted feeling the pressure to meet their original standards while filming the reboot.

Still, the opportunity to revisit the show on their terms made the project a natural extension of their longstanding collaboration. Even off-screen, he was marking milestones — at home and onstage — as he entered a new phase of both his personal and professional life.

Marriage at 36 Years and Return to Stand-Up

In October 2024, Paul appeared on “Live with Kelly and Mark” and spoke candidly about celebrating 36 years of marriage with Paula. He reflected on their relationship, joking about a “new phenomenon” they’d reached in their marriage.

“I’ll just walk in the room and go ‘Honey’ and [Paul makes jump-scare sound]. I’ve been here 40 years, why is that a surprise?” he said. “She goes, ‘Say something from the other room.’ So now I’ll do that, I’ll go, ‘Honey,’ and she’ll go, ‘Don’t shout from the other room!’ Okay, pick one.”

When asked what it felt like to be married for over three decades, Paul replied, “It’s enough!” He compared it to Vegas, saying, “You got to know when to walk away.” Then, with a more grounded tone, he shared how they met, calling himself “very lucky.”

Later in the interview, he discussed another milestone. After more than 30 years, he taped a new comedy special, which was released in November 2024. “A lot of my comic friends will have a new special every 12 months. Not me! My last one? 1991,” he said. “I like to spread them out. Don’t overstay your welcome.”

Paul described the process as “great fun,” and a return to the craft where he got his start. His renewed focus on stand-up coincided with another project that brought him back into the writer’s chair — this time for a film.

Latest Film Project: ‘The Problem with People’

Just days after the release of his stand-up special, Paul returned to screens in a different role — as both writer and star of the feature film “The Problem with People,” which premiered on October 4, 2024.

The project was co-written with Wally Marzano-Lesnevich and continued his pattern of taking on work driven by story and character rather than scale. In the film, Paul plays Barry, a New Yorker who travels to Ireland to fulfill the final wish of a dying uncle.

There, he reconnects with his estranged cousin, played by Colm Meaney, and the two attempt to settle a generations-long family feud. The role allowed him to balance comedy with more grounded material, echoing the tone of earlier projects like “The Thing About My Folks.”

Today, the 69-year-old continues to work, though on a schedule of his own making. Whether appearing in selected roles, writing new material, or performing on stage, he remains active without seeking constant visibility.

Without headlines or fanfare, he built a version of success defined by longevity, control, and quiet consistency. For a public figure who once dominated television, his most lasting work may be the choices he made when no cameras were rolling.