Paul F. Tompkins
A master of sophisticated, whimsical comedy whose elegant suits and sharp wit have made him a beloved podcast and TV fixture.
Born 1968 (age 58)·American comedian and actor·Birthday: September 12·Generation X
Biography
Paul F. Tompkins operates in a realm of refined, almost old-world comedy, where a perfectly tailored suit and a meticulously crafted sentence are his primary tools. He emerged from the alt-comedy scene of the 1990s, a standout on 'Mr. Show with Bob and David' with his preternatural ability to embody absurd characters with deadpan sincerity. Tompkins truly found his modern medium in podcasting, where his improvisational brilliance and generous spirit shine. As the host of 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour' and a sought-after guest on countless others, he built a universe of recurring personas like the jovial Cake Boss and the erudite Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. His voice work, particularly as the pessimistic Mr. Peanutbutter on 'BoJack Horseman,' added layers of tragic depth to animated comedy. Tompkins represents a specific ideal: the comedian as a gracious, intelligent, and impeccably dressed ringmaster of the ridiculous.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Paul was born in 1968, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Paul Was Born
The biggest hits of 1968
#1 Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
Best Picture
Oliver!
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Paul's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1968Born
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1973Started school
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1981Became a teenager
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Could drive
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1986Could vote
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Turned 21
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1998Turned 30
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 40
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 50
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 58 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Voiced the character Mr. Peanutbutter on the critically acclaimed Netflix series 'BoJack Horseman.'
- Was a regular performer and writer on the influential sketch series 'Mr. Show with Bob and David.'
- Created and starred in the popular live stage show and podcast 'The Thrilling Adventure Hour.'
- Hosted VH1's pop-culture clip show 'Best Week Ever,' putting his distinctive comedic stamp on the format.
Did You Know?
He frequently performs and hosts live shows while wearing vintage-style three-piece suits.
He provided the voice for the sentient video game console 'Pony' in the 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' episode 'Games.'
He has a deep knowledge of American history, particularly the Civil War era.
“The suit is the uniform of my profession, and I take my profession very seriously.”
