Paul Germain

The co-creator of Rugrats who brought the world of toddlers to life.

Paul Germain (born June 6, 1959) is an American writer, director, and producer. Along with Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó, he was one of the creators of the Nickelodeon animated series Rugrats. Germain also co-created the series Recess, and worked on The Tracey Ullman Show. By the age of 28, he had worked as a production assistant on Terms of Endearment and Broadcast News; he did not work on Say Anything... or Big.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Paul Lazarus Germain

Born

6 June 1959

Birthplace

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Occupation

Writer
director
producer

Years active

1983–present

Spouse

Beatrice Mills (1988)

Children

Lore & Background

Paul Germain's son was the inspiration for the Rugrats character Tommy Pickles. The antagonist, Angelica Pickles, was based on a bully from his childhood. Chuckie Finster, however, was inspired by Germain's own childhood anxieties and personality, not that same bully. Germain is Jewish. He worked with Rugrats colleague Joe Ansolabehere to create Disney's Recess. Together, they formed the television production company Paul & Joe Productions and worked in tandem on Pound Puppies for Discovery Family and Disney Junior's Goldie & Bear.

Reader's Guide

Paul Germain co-created Rugrats with Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó. He worked with Rugrats colleague Joe Ansolabehere to create Disney's Recess and Lloyd in Space. Germain and Ansolabehere formed the television production company Paul & Joe Productions. They worked in tandem on Pound Puppies for Discovery Family and Disney Junior's Goldie & Bear. He was a screenwriter on the direct-to-DVD film Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. By the age of 24, Germain was credited on Terms of Endearment, Say Anything..., Big and Broadcast News, which was produced by James L. Brooks for Gracie Films.