********************** r anger personified), Stiller is in the midst of filming his first major Jewish role. He plays a rabbi in Keeping the Faitk. romantic come- dy co-starring ienna Elfman and Edward Norton (who's also direct- ing). He will then structure a film around his character Derek Zoolander; world-famous male super-model. Garofalo, for one, thinks Stiller fits the bill: "I think he's a Jewish Tom Cruise," she says. But \‘'hat Stiller is most proud of is the fact that the Museum of Radio and Television is hosting•a retrospective of his short-lived sketch comedy program, The Ben. Stiller Show. Thirteen episodes were made in 1992 For Fox. felt vindicated nine months after the show was canceled when we got a Writi ng Emmy," he says, "because networks never ever acknowledge good stuff If it can make them money or they can exploit it, they'll • , acknowledge The reserved, quiet man sitting next to Stiller gives a thoughtful nod in agreement. There's nothing spastic about the 46-year-old Paul Reubens. But even though he's tanned and dressed in a nicely Fitting suit, it's still easy to see Reubens as his immensely popular alter-ego, Pee-Wee Herman. \X/bile Stiller is reeling from his new attention, Reubens is quietly corning back into the spotlight, which singed him badly in 1991 after he was arrested for lewd behav- ior in an adult theater. This highly , publicized scandal effectively ended his career as Pee-Wee Herman. The child/man character appealed to both kids and adults in movies like Pee Wee's Big Adventure and the influential and beloved children's program Pee I,ne's Playhouse. Even though he created the televi- sion sh ow, and wrote and directed most of the episodes, Reubens often felt in the shadow of Pee-Wee, so much so that he often did press inter- views in character. oftentimes thought I should just change my name," says Reubens, and say, 'Pee-Wee Herman in ... whatever.' And it wouldn't be Pee- Wee Herman anymore, but that would be my name because most people think that's [who I am]. I thought, seriously, that it would just be smarter to drop the Paul Reubens thing and be Pee-Wee Herman. "No, I don't miss him," he contin- ues, "and if I ever miss [Pee-Wee], I just turn on the old VCR." But the inherent playfulness of his famous character was apparent to - - Reubens co-stars on tlflystely Men, especially Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush, who receives a memorable full- force dose of The Spleen's power: incapacitating farts. "I think something in the ever pre- sent and ‘vry glint that Paul has in his eye," says Rush, "has a little touch of Pee-Wee, because it is very much his clown persona. There's something sweet and subversively innocent in „ that presence. "He's an imp, that's what he is," adds William H. Macy about Reubens. "He's constantly planning, there's always something going on. He's like an aquarium." Born Paul Rubenfeld in Peekskill, N.Y., Reubens moved to Sarasota, Fla., with his family when he was in fourth grade. Two years later, he won the role of the preternaturally mature boy in a local theater production of A Thousand Clowns, and his career aspi- rations were set. "I was a little oddball kid," he says. "I was really serious and funny both. I always wanted to perform; I always wanted to be an actor. I never really t h oL 1 g„ht about doing comedy until le a t r . Reubens created Pee-Wee Herman in 1978 when he was a member of the influential Los Angeles comedy troupe The Groundlings. A popular stage show and HBO special led to movies, television and the eventual straightjacket of fame. "I always thought it would be interesting," Reubens explains, "to have a seminar in Hollywood when you're starting to get Famous to just explain some of the things you might want to know. It would be great to have a little manual with some help- ful tips. There are some people who love being famous, who really enjoy it, and I'm not complaining whatso- ever. I'm just not in that school." Reubens currently is working on a film called Meet the Muckles, a come- dy, in the vein of You Can't Take It With You, and has just signed with Disney for The Pee Wee Herman Story, which he wryly describes as a "flke autobiography." When the conversation weaves back to his television show, Reubens uses the opportunity to engage Stiller in a little friendly ribbing. "Personally, I have three Emmys," he says, "and the show won 23. How many did yours win again?" "One," replies Stiller, but we only aired 12 episodes." "We only did 40," says Ruebens with a sly grin. 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