Paul Reiser Marks 36th Wedding Anniversary with Wife Paula Ravets: ‘We Inadvertently Frighten Each Other’

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Reiser and wife Paula Ravets.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettyPaul Reiseris opening up about the “new phenomenon” he is experiencing in his marriage with wife Paula Ravets.During an appearance onLive with Kelly and Markon Tuesday, Oct. 1, the 68-year-old actor reflected on celebrating his 36th wedding anniversary back in August — and how he and Ravets have reached a new stage in their relationship.“As well-matched and as wonderful and as loving as we are, there’s a new phenomenon — I don’t know if you guys are there yet: We inadvertently frighten each other,” Reiser told married hostsKelly RipaandMark Consuelos.“I’ll just walk in the room and go ‘Honey’ and [Reiser makes jump-scare sound]. I’ve been here 40 years, why is that a surprise?’ " he continued, explaining that Ravets requested some kind of warning that he’s coming in. “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.“Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via GettyWhen asked how it feels to have been married for 36 years now, theMad About Youstar joked, “It’s enough!““You get the hang of something… It’s all good, don’t get me wrong. But it’s like Vegas — you got to know when to walk away,” he added.Reiser — whose new movieThe Problem with Peoplepremieres on Oct. 4 — said he relates to “older couples” you sometimes see in a restaurant. “They’re just eating and you think, ‘Yeah! Because everything that happened before they met, they already shared. And everything that’s happened since they met, the other one was already there,’ " he explained.Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via GettyGetting serious, he recalled meeting Ravets when she was working as a waitress in a comedy club where he was doing stand-up at the time. “I’m very lucky,” Reiser said of meeting his wife. “We just kind of [hit it off]. It was many years ago.“Reiser and Ravets tied the knot on Aug. 21, 1988, and went on to welcome two children together — sons Ezra, 29, and Leon, 24.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Elsewhere during hisLiveappearance, Reiser spoke about another big milestone in his life — taping his first comedy special in more than 30 years.“A lot of my comic friends will have a new special every 12 months. Not me! My last one? 1991,” he said, joking, “I like to spread them out. Don’t [want to] overstay your welcome.“Paul Reiser (left) and Colm Meaney in ‘The Problem with People’.Kaleidoscope Film DistributionHe described the experience of making the special — which releases in November — as “great fun,” explaining it brought him back to his stand-up comedy roots.“That’s where I started. I didn’t plan on the acting thing — that kind of just came,” theStranger Thingsstar said. “My goal was like, ‘Can I get on the Johnny Carson show?’ and I never thought beyond that. But it has all worked out well.“In his upcoming filmThe Problem with People, Reiser and Colm Meaney star as Barry and Ciáran, two estranged cousins — one from New York City and the other from Ireland — who come together and try to fix a generations-long family feud to fulfill the dying wish of Ciáran’s father. The movie, which Reiser co-wrote with Wally Marzano-Lesnevich, also stars Jane Levy, Lucianne McEvoy and Des Keogh.

Paul Reiser and wife Paula Ravets.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Paul Reiseris opening up about the “new phenomenon” he is experiencing in his marriage with wife Paula Ravets.During an appearance onLive with Kelly and Markon Tuesday, Oct. 1, the 68-year-old actor reflected on celebrating his 36th wedding anniversary back in August — and how he and Ravets have reached a new stage in their relationship.“As well-matched and as wonderful and as loving as we are, there’s a new phenomenon — I don’t know if you guys are there yet: We inadvertently frighten each other,” Reiser told married hostsKelly RipaandMark Consuelos.“I’ll just walk in the room and go ‘Honey’ and [Reiser makes jump-scare sound]. I’ve been here 40 years, why is that a surprise?’ " he continued, explaining that Ravets requested some kind of warning that he’s coming in. “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.“Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via GettyWhen asked how it feels to have been married for 36 years now, theMad About Youstar joked, “It’s enough!““You get the hang of something… It’s all good, don’t get me wrong. But it’s like Vegas — you got to know when to walk away,” he added.Reiser — whose new movieThe Problem with Peoplepremieres on Oct. 4 — said he relates to “older couples” you sometimes see in a restaurant. “They’re just eating and you think, ‘Yeah! Because everything that happened before they met, they already shared. And everything that’s happened since they met, the other one was already there,’ " he explained.Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via GettyGetting serious, he recalled meeting Ravets when she was working as a waitress in a comedy club where he was doing stand-up at the time. “I’m very lucky,” Reiser said of meeting his wife. “We just kind of [hit it off]. It was many years ago.“Reiser and Ravets tied the knot on Aug. 21, 1988, and went on to welcome two children together — sons Ezra, 29, and Leon, 24.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Elsewhere during hisLiveappearance, Reiser spoke about another big milestone in his life — taping his first comedy special in more than 30 years.“A lot of my comic friends will have a new special every 12 months. Not me! My last one? 1991,” he said, joking, “I like to spread them out. Don’t [want to] overstay your welcome.“Paul Reiser (left) and Colm Meaney in ‘The Problem with People’.Kaleidoscope Film DistributionHe described the experience of making the special — which releases in November — as “great fun,” explaining it brought him back to his stand-up comedy roots.“That’s where I started. I didn’t plan on the acting thing — that kind of just came,” theStranger Thingsstar said. “My goal was like, ‘Can I get on the Johnny Carson show?’ and I never thought beyond that. But it has all worked out well.“In his upcoming filmThe Problem with People, Reiser and Colm Meaney star as Barry and Ciáran, two estranged cousins — one from New York City and the other from Ireland — who come together and try to fix a generations-long family feud to fulfill the dying wish of Ciáran’s father. The movie, which Reiser co-wrote with Wally Marzano-Lesnevich, also stars Jane Levy, Lucianne McEvoy and Des Keogh.

Paul Reiseris opening up about the “new phenomenon” he is experiencing in his marriage with wife Paula Ravets.

During an appearance onLive with Kelly and Markon Tuesday, Oct. 1, the 68-year-old actor reflected on celebrating his 36th wedding anniversary back in August — and how he and Ravets have reached a new stage in their relationship.

“As well-matched and as wonderful and as loving as we are, there’s a new phenomenon — I don’t know if you guys are there yet: We inadvertently frighten each other,” Reiser told married hostsKelly RipaandMark Consuelos.

“I’ll just walk in the room and go ‘Honey’ and [Reiser makes jump-scare sound]. I’ve been here 40 years, why is that a surprise?’ " he continued, explaining that Ravets requested some kind of warning that he’s coming in. “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.”

Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

When asked how it feels to have been married for 36 years now, theMad About Youstar joked, “It’s enough!”

“You get the hang of something… It’s all good, don’t get me wrong. But it’s like Vegas — you got to know when to walk away,” he added.

Reiser — whose new movieThe Problem with Peoplepremieres on Oct. 4 — said he relates to “older couples” you sometimes see in a restaurant. “They’re just eating and you think, ‘Yeah! Because everything that happened before they met, they already shared. And everything that’s happened since they met, the other one was already there,’ " he explained.

Paula Ravets and Paul Reiser.Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Getting serious, he recalled meeting Ravets when she was working as a waitress in a comedy club where he was doing stand-up at the time. “I’m very lucky,” Reiser said of meeting his wife. “We just kind of [hit it off]. It was many years ago.”

Reiser and Ravets tied the knot on Aug. 21, 1988, and went on to welcome two children together — sons Ezra, 29, and Leon, 24.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Elsewhere during hisLiveappearance, Reiser spoke about another big milestone in his life — taping his first comedy special in more than 30 years.

“A lot of my comic friends will have a new special every 12 months. Not me! My last one? 1991,” he said, joking, “I like to spread them out. Don’t [want to] overstay your welcome.”

Paul Reiser (left) and Colm Meaney in ‘The Problem with People’.Kaleidoscope Film Distribution

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution

He described the experience of making the special — which releases in November — as “great fun,” explaining it brought him back to his stand-up comedy roots.

“That’s where I started. I didn’t plan on the acting thing — that kind of just came,” theStranger Thingsstar said. “My goal was like, ‘Can I get on the Johnny Carson show?’ and I never thought beyond that. But it has all worked out well.”

In his upcoming filmThe Problem with People, Reiser and Colm Meaney star as Barry and Ciáran, two estranged cousins — one from New York City and the other from Ireland — who come together and try to fix a generations-long family feud to fulfill the dying wish of Ciáran’s father. The movie, which Reiser co-wrote with Wally Marzano-Lesnevich, also stars Jane Levy, Lucianne McEvoy and Des Keogh.

source: people.com