Pauly Shore is an American comedian and actor who rose to fame in the early 1990s through his MTV show “Totally Pauly” and comedy films like “Encino Man.” Born into comedy royalty as the son of Comedy Store owners, Shore became known for his “Weasel” persona—a surfer-dude character with catchphrases like “Hey, buuuddy!” His film career peaked between 1992-1996 before experiencing a dramatic decline, though he continues performing stand-up comedy and creating content today.
The Comedy Store Kid Who Became MTV’s Biggest Star
Pauly Shore was born Paul Montgomery Shore on February 1, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, to comedian parents Sammy Shore and Mitzi Shore. Growing up wasn’t just privileged—it was comedy boot camp. His father co-founded The Comedy Store with Rudy De Luca, and after his parents’ divorce in 1974, his mother, Mitzi, became the sole owner and operator until she died in 2018.
The Comedy Store wasn’t just his mother’s business. It was Shore’s playground and classroom. He had the rare opportunity to hang out and be inspired by rising talents like Robin Williams, David Letterman, and the late Sam Kinison, who became his mentor. While other kids played Little League, Shore absorbed comedy from legends in the green room.
At 17, Shore began performing stand-up comedy, creating the persona of “The Weasel”—a character that quickly appealed to young audiences. His exaggerated surfer-speak, stretched-out words, and deliberate obnoxiousness weren’t accidental. They were calculated choices that would define his entire career.
The MTV Years: When Pauly Owned Pop Culture
Shore’s big break came as an on-air MTV VJ in 1989, a position he held until 1994. This wasn’t just hosting videos—it was cultural domination. At the height of his MTV fame, Shore had his own show, “Totally Pauly,” and served as host of MTV’s annual Spring Break parties.
The timing couldn’t have been better. MTV was the center of youth culture in the early 1990s, and Shore’s deliberately obnoxious “Weasel” character perfectly captured the slacker, anti-authority ethos of Generation X. His first comedy album, “The Future of America,” was named Best Comedy Album by college music journalists in 1991. He followed with “Scraps from the Future” and “Pink Diggly Diggly.”
Shore also released a music video, “Lisa, Lisa, the One I Adore,” during this period. Everything he touched seemed to connect with audiences who saw themselves in his underachieving, horndog persona.
The Movie Star Era: Five Films in Five Years
Encino Man: The Breakthrough
In 1992, Shore starred in “Encino Man,” which was a modest hit. The film paired Shore with Sean Astin and launched Brendan Fraser’s career. Made on a $7 million budget, “Encino Man” earned $40.7 million at the box office. Shore’s supporting role proved he could carry weight in a theatrical release.
The Downward Trajectory
The film’s success propelled Shore to star in additional films, albeit increasingly less successful: “Son in Law” (1993), “In the Army Now” (1994), “Jury Duty” (1995), and “Bio-Dome” (1996). The pattern was brutal and consistent. Each film made less money than the one before it.
“Son in Law” grossed $36.4 million, while “In the Army Now” brought in $28.8 million. “Jury Duty” was considered a flop, earning $4 million less than its $21 million budget, and “Bio-Dome” grossed only $13.4 million against an $8.5 million production budget.
Critical Destruction
All five films received sharply negative reviews, with the last three each holding a rating below 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics didn’t just dislike these movies—they seemed personally offended by them. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote that “Shore bypasses all categories to achieve a kind of transcendent fingernails” on a chalkboard quality.
The Golden Raspberry Awards recognized Shore’s film performances several times, awarding him Worst New Star of the Year for “Encino Man,” Worst Actor of the Year for “Bio-Dome,” and Worst New Star of the Decade for the 1990s. He was even nominated for Worst Actor of the Century, though he lost to Sylvester Stallone.
The Crash Landing: When the 90s Ended
TV’s Quick Rejection
In 1997, Shore starred in the eponymous TV show “Pauly,” which was canceled after five episodes aired. The rejection was swift and brutal. What worked for six years on MTV couldn’t translate to prime-time sitcom success.
Personal Tragedy
Shore dated adult film actress Savannah (real name Shannon Wilsey) from 1991 to 1992. She sadly died by suicide in 1994, and Shore was with her when she passed away at Burbank’s St. Joseph’s Hospital. This tragedy occurred during his career’s decline, adding personal devastation to professional disappointment.
The Reinvention: Self-Awareness as Art
Pauly Shore Is Dead: The Mockumentary
In 2003, Shore produced, wrote, directed, and starred in “Pauly Shore Is Dead,” a semi-autobiographical mockumentary. The film’s premise was darkly comic: Shore decides to fake his own death to revive his career. In the film, following his failed acting career in the late 1990s and personal problems, Shore is visited by the ghost of his mentor Sam Kinison, who suggests he kill himself to revitalize his career.
The movie featured celebrity cameos from Sean Penn, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlie Sheen, Britney Spears, and others. It was Shore confronting his own irrelevance with humor and honesty. The critics actually responded positively to his self-awareness.
Continued Projects
In 2010, Shore starred in “Adopted,” which sees him traveling to Africa to adopt a child. The mockumentary satirized celebrity adoption trends. In 2014, he released “Pauly Shore Stands Alone,” a true-life road documentary that follows Shore as he performs in obscure towns throughout Wisconsin while dealing with his personal life.
These projects showed a comedian willing to examine his own faded stardom with unflinching honesty.
What Pauly Shore Does Now in 2025
Stand-Up Comedy Tours
Shore currently tours with two different shows: “Pauly Shore LIVE”—his traditional stand-up comedy—and “Stick with the Dancing: Funny Stories from my Childhood,” his new one-man show that intimately discusses his life, career, ups and downs, growing up at The Comedy Store, Beverly Hills High School, MTV days, and opening for Sam Kinison.
Shore has upcoming tour dates scheduled through early 2026, performing at comedy clubs across the United States. He can sell out shows like a January 2025 performance at Boca Black Box in Boca Raton, Florida, by putting tickets on sale just four days before the show at $60 a ticket.
Digital Content Creation
Shore creates fun content for his fans, including a five-minute workout show called “Sweatin with the Wiez,” a recreation of iconic movie scenes called “Classic Scenes from Classic Movies,” and music videos with his band “Pauly Shore and The Crustys”—all available on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Shore is currently the host of the Jam in the Van podcast and is working on a documentary of his life that spans the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, along with a memoir called “How’d You Expect Me to Turn Out.”
The Richard Simmons Controversy
In January 2024, Shore revealed he would play fitness icon Richard Simmons in a new biopic in development at Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization. Following a fan campaign, Shore revealed a teaser for a short film titled “The Court Jester,” starring himself as Richard Simmons, which premiered at Sundance in January 2024.
Responding to the news, the reclusive Simmons disavowed the project, posting on social media that he had never given my permission for this movie.” The controversy highlighted Shore’s continued ability to generate headlines, even when unwanted.
Managing The Comedy Store
Shore began managing The Comedy Store after his mother Mitzi’s death in 2018. Running the legendary venue his parents founded brings Shore’s career full circle—from the kid watching legends perform to the man booking the next generation of comics.
Pauly Shore’s Net Worth and Financial Reality
Pauly Shore has a net worth of $30 million as of 2024. This wealth comes from multiple sources. Shore earned around $800,000 per movie during his peak film years. His MTV salary, film residuals, stand-up tours, and real estate investments all contribute to his financial stability.
In 1996, Shore paid $1.5 million for a 4,500-square-foot home in the Hollywood Hills. He renovated the house in 2015 and put it on the market for $13 million, but couldn’t find a buyer, so he listed it for rent at $27,000 per month. In 2020, he put the mansion back on the market for $9.5 million.
The Comedy Store ownership also represents substantial value. Shore’s family has owned West Hollywood’s world-famous Comedy Store since the early 1970s.
The Pauly Shore Legacy: Love Him or Hate Him
The Cultural Impact
Shore became the personification of a specific moment in American culture. His controversial persona appropriates 1990s surfer speak and makes use of his signature line, “Hey Buuuddy!” It ruffled all the right feathers in the ’90s, earning Shore fame and notoriety as the personification of the MTV-watching, authority-hating slacker stereotype.
Why His Career Matters
Shore’s candle burned brightly in the 90s, but as soon as the moment moved on, he was left behind. His decline in popularity was as rapid as his rise. His career trajectory serves as a case study in the dangers of being too perfectly matched to a specific cultural moment.
But Shore’s story isn’t just about decline. In a January 2025 live review, a critic noted Shore’s “ability to surf the crowd’s energy” and his capacity to “bring a pathos—and dash of bitchiness—to talking about his quest” while finding “moments to offer genuine insight into being an aging cultural touchstone who still has a soul.”
The Continued Relevance
Shore is still active in the entertainment industry. On top of his continued acting pursuits, Shore has once again taken up his career as a recording artist with his Las Vegas-based band, Pauly Shore and The Crustys. He maintains a considerable online presence through podcasting and YouTube content.
One reviewer observed that Shore “reminded people there’s no shame in loving youthful things—even as we grow up and grow old.” That might be his most valuable contribution: permission to hold onto what made us happy, even if critics dismissed it.
Pauly Shore’s Film and TV Appearances: Complete List
Major Films
- Encino Man (1992) – Supporting role
- Son in Law (1993) – Lead role
- In the Army Now (1994) – Lead role
- Jury Duty (1995) – Lead role
- Bio-Dome (1996) – Lead role
- A Goofy Movie (1995) – Voice of Bobby Zimuruski
- An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000) – Voice of Bobby Zimuruski
- Pauly Shore Is Dead (2003) – Writer, director, star
- Adopted (2010) – Writer, director, star
- Sandy Wexler (2017) – Supporting role
- Guest House (2020) – Lead role
Television
- MTV VJ (1989-1994)
- Totally Pauly (1990-1996) – Host
- Pauly (1997) – Lead role, 5 episodes
- Minding the Store (2005) – Reality series
Comedy Specials
- Pauly Does Dallas (HBO)
- Vegas is My Oyster (2011, Showtime)
- Pauly-Tics (Showtime)
- Pauly Shore Stands Alone (2014, Showtime)
FAQs
What is Pauly Shore famous for?
Pauly Shore is best known for his performances in 1990s comedy films and his work as an MTV VJ from 1989 to 1994. His “Weasel” character and catchphrases like “Hey, buuuddy!” defined a generation of comedy.
Is Pauly Shore still performing?
Yes. Shore continues touring the country with stand-up comedy shows, including his traditional set and a new one-man show about his childhood and career. He also creates digital content and hosts podcasts.
What happened to Pauly Shore’s movie career?
Each of Shore’s 1990s films grossed less at the box office than the one before, and all five received sharply negative reviews. After “Bio-Dome” in 1996 and his canceled TV show in 1997, Shore’s mainstream Hollywood career effectively ended.
Does Pauly Shore own The Comedy Store?
Shore began managing The Comedy Store after his mother Mitzi’s death in 2018. The family has owned the legendary West Hollywood venue since the early 1970s.
What is Pauly Shore’s net worth?
Pauly Shore has a net worth of $30 million as of 2024. This comes from his film career, stand-up comedy, real estate investments, and ownership interest in The Comedy Store.
Who were Pauly Shore’s comedy influences?
Growing up at The Comedy Store, Shore was inspired by rising talents like Robin Williams, David Letterman, and the late Sam Kinison, who became his mentor. His father, Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas, was also a major influence.
The Bottom Line on Pauly Shore
Pauly Shore represents something rare in entertainment: a performer who became so perfectly synonymous with a specific cultural moment that he couldn’t outlive it. His rise through MTV, his string of increasingly unsuccessful films, and his ultimate reinvention through self-aware mockumentaries tell a complete story about fame, timing, and survival.
Today, Shore continues doing what he’s always done—making people laugh, whether they want to admit they’re laughing or not. He tours constantly, creates content prolifically, and manages the legendary venue where it all began. The critics may never forgive him for the 1990s, but his fans never needed their permission anyway.
At 56, Shore has outlasted the moment that made him famous and found something more valuable: the ability to keep working, keep creating, and keep connecting with audiences who remember when “Hey, buuuddy!” meant everything was going to be all right.
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