Paul Reiser is one of a handful of stand-up comedians who, in the the 1990s, were given the opportunity to create their own sitcoms. "Mad About You," which co-starred Emmy winner Helen Hunt as his wife, was a huge success and enjoyed a very long and very comfortable run, placing Paul squarely on the entertainment map.

Born and raised in New York City, he was drawn to Greenwich Village clubs, which featured, among others, George Carlin, Robert Klein, and David Steinberg. Reiser subsequently attended S.U.N.Y./Binghamton, where he majored in music and participated in drama classes, and later began performing at the Improv and Comic Strip.

While accompanying a friend to an audition, Paul unexpectedly got to read for director Barry Levinson and won a coveted role in the classic film Diner (1982), which sparked the careers of Kevin Bacon, Tim Daly, Steve Guttenberg and Mickey Rourke as well. Well-regarded as a comedic actor, Reiser was typically cast as amiable, excitable, neurotic, and self-effacing types; he also won roles in the "Beverly Hills Cops" movies and Aliens (1986).

His career hit a high note with his hit TV series, for which he was not only the star but also the co-creator and producer. Since then, he has maintained a lower profile, working more as a writer and executive producer than an actor.