10 minutes with... Paul Reiser
There are few entertainers with a resume as rich as Paul Reiser’ s. A beloved fixture of television, film, and stand-up comedy for more than four decades, Reiser has become a presence across generations. His most memorable roles range from the neurotic romantic in the hit sitcom Mad About You to the corporate villain in Aliens to the sweetly conflicted Dr. Owens in Netflix’ s blockbuster series Stranger Things. On July 25, Reiser returns to his stand-up roots with a one-nightonly performance at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. It’ s part of a national tour that follows the release of his comedy special Life, Death & Rice Pudding. The special and live tour both capture what Reiser does best: turning the small stuff into something memorable and entertaining. Stand-up is just one piece of a remarkably versatile career. In recent years, Reiser has co-written the bestselling memoir What a Fool Believes with music legend Michael McDonald and starred in the Irish indie film The Problem with People. Whether he’ s riffing onstage about relationships or duking it out with Demogorgons on the small screen, Reiser remains a master of timing— both comedic and creative. We sat down with Reiser to talk about his return to the road, his unlikely relationship with raisins, and what it really means to live— and laugh— on your own terms.
8 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE July 2025