Paul Pistore
Encyclopedia
Biography
Paul’s love for puppetry began at a tender age, while watching Shari Lewis and Jim Henson work their magic with foam, felt and old socks on TV.His first foray into the world of performance began when his mother gave him the box the new clothes dryer came in so he could make a puppet stage. There's nothing unusual about this, lots of kids make puppet stages, except the ten-year-old not only cut the necessary hole into the front of the box to perform. But, he also added lights, moving backdrops and working curtains.
Paul was hooked, at this point and knew he had to perform. While growing up, which Paul admits he’s still doing, he went on to study Music, as a guitarist and singer, Theatre, Magic, as well as Special Effects Make-up.
He never forgot his love for puppetry, but also never considered it as a full time career choice. Until...
While working as a Tour Guide at Universal Studios Hollywood he learned about auditions for puppeteers in the new, An American Tail Live show that was opening in the Theme Park. Scanty resume in hand, he showed up to the audition. Lo and behold he landed the coveted part and as his skills grew, he soon became the Lead Puppeteer for the show’s four year run.
This was the beginning of a tumultuous roller coaster ride of failure and success.
Paul’s short stint as a film model builder and prop maker. While building on his considerable creative skills, this work just served to prove to him that puppetry was his true love. After attending many workshops and classes, and with lots practice in front of a video camera, he felt his skills as a puppeteer were ready to be unleashed upon the world. He started knocking on doors looking for puppetry jobs. Not many doors opened at first. But, this kid doesn’t give up easily.
Things started to pay off job-wise when he landed a puppetry job as a Penguin on the Tim Burton movie Batman Returns
Batman Returns
Batman Returns is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the sequel to Burton's Batman , and features Michael Keaton reprising the title role, with Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.Burton originally did not...
. Then, other jobs followed in the world of Film and Television. He also developed a good reputation as a hard working performer.
Now, many years later, Paul has performed in starring roles in four national TV series. He's puppeteered on feature films, such as Alien Resurrection and Men in Black II
Men in Black II
Men in Black II is a 2002 science fiction action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The film also stars Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson and Rip Torn...
as well as TV commercials for Texaco
Texaco
Texaco is the name of an American oil retail brand. Its flagship product is its fuel "Texaco with Techron". It also owns the Havoline motor oil brand....
and Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
,
For several years, Paul was part of a small team of puppeteers who performed E.T. the Extraterrestrial for Amblin Entertainment, in various commercials and events Worldwide. Paul’s broad range of character voices has landed him voice-over jobs on such shows as Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
and Masked Rider
Masked Rider (TV series)
Masked Rider is an American adaptation of the Japanese television series Kamen Rider Black RX, the ninth in a line of series in the popular Kamen Rider Series franchise. It was produced by Saban and aired on FOX part of the Fox Kids program block from September 16, 1995 to August 31, 1996 and then...
. And as the weird but cool D. Jam Germ for the Fox Family Channel morning shows, The Morning Scramble and The Weekend Chill as well as a TV pilot for Film Roman (of The Simpsons and The Family Guy fame).
Paul’s Telly Award winning work as the raspy voiced Mister Moose and Copernicus P. Digit were cornerstone characters seen on the critically acclaimed series, The All New Captain Kangaroo which ran in syndication in 196 markets in the US before moving to The Fox Family Channel.
After his tenure at Fox Family Channel Paul co-created and co-wrote the irreverent C3D TV series Apartment 51. His character, Mal, a sarcastic intergalactic traveler who, with his friend, O.G. plot the eventual takeover of Planet Earth... provided it didn’t interrupt their TV watching.
Paul has garnered two Omni Awards for this show including one for Comedy. Although, Paul admittedly makes his living playing with dolls, which is a source of great amusement to his friends... he is extremely dedicated and does his job very well.
Anime Roles
- Dan Doh!! - Announcer, Gen-San, Owner, Ryuji Kazama
- KarinKarin (manga)Chibi Vampire, originally released in Japan as , is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuna Kagesaki. The story is about an unusual vampire girl, who instead of drinking blood must inject it into others because she produces too much...
- Henry Marker, Boogy Kun - One PieceOne Pieceis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
- Sanji (Season 2), Smoker, Kuromarimo, Doctor Hiruluk and Toto (Odex Dub) - Shonen Onmyouji - Dubbing Director, Various ghosts, monsters and spirits
- Zipang - Masayuki Kikuchi, Chris Evans
Live Action Roles
- Apt. 51 - Mal (puppeteer/Voice)
- Masked RiderMasked Rider (TV series)Masked Rider is an American adaptation of the Japanese television series Kamen Rider Black RX, the ninth in a line of series in the popular Kamen Rider Series franchise. It was produced by Saban and aired on FOX part of the Fox Kids program block from September 16, 1995 to August 31, 1996 and then...
- Ferbus, Catatron (voices) - Power Rangers: TurboPower Rangers: TurboPower Rangers Turbo is the third installment in the long-running Power Rangers franchise of television shows. The show was prefaced with the second movie in the franchise, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie...
- Flash Head (voice, uncredited) - Power Rangers: ZeoPower Rangers: ZeoPower Rangers Zeo is an American superhero television series and the second installment of the Power Rangers franchise that is a continuation of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, that aired in 1996. It is based on the Super Sentai series Chōriki Sentai Ohranger...
- Puppetman (voice, uncredited) - The All-New Captain Kangaroo - Mr. Moose, Copernicus P. Digit (voices)
Movie Roles
- Troops - Jawa, Capt. Reh Teah, Radio Dispatcher (voice)
- Turbo: A Power Rangers MovieTurbo: A Power Rangers MovieTurbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 American superhero action science fantasy film directed by David Winning and Shuki Levy. It is set in the Power Rangers universe, serving as a bridge between Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo...
- Larigo
Crew Work
- Alien Resurrection - Puppeteer
- Apt. 51 - Co-Creator, writer, producer
- ArchangelArchangelAn archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
- Lead puppeteer - Batman: Dead EndBatman: Dead EndBatman: Dead End is a fan film made by Sandy Collora that premiered July 19, 2003 at the San Diego Comic-Con, and on the internet shortly thereafter.-Plot:...
- Lead Puppeteer, Creature Effects - Batman ReturnsBatman ReturnsBatman Returns is a 1992 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, it is the sequel to Burton's Batman , and features Michael Keaton reprising the title role, with Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.Burton originally did not...
- Puppeteer - Dan Doh!! - Voice Director
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike BackJay and Silent Bob Strike BackJay and Silent Bob Strike Back is a 2001 American action adventure comedy film written, directed by, and starring Kevin Smith as Silent Bob, the fifth to be set in his View Askewniverse, a growing collection of characters and settings that developed out of his cult favorite Clerks...
- Special Make-Up Effects Artist - Masked RiderMasked Rider (TV series)Masked Rider is an American adaptation of the Japanese television series Kamen Rider Black RX, the ninth in a line of series in the popular Kamen Rider Series franchise. It was produced by Saban and aired on FOX part of the Fox Kids program block from September 16, 1995 to August 31, 1996 and then...
- Puppeteer - Men in Black IIMen in Black IIMen in Black II is a 2002 science fiction action comedy starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The film also stars Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson and Rip Torn...
- Puppeteer - My Favorite MartianMy Favorite Martian (film)My Favorite Martian is a 1999 science fiction comedy film starring Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Daniels, Daryl Hannah, Elizabeth Hurley, Wallace Shawn and Ray Walston, based on the 1960s television series of the same name. It was directed by Donald Petrie and written by original-series creator John L....
- Puppeteer (uncredted) - SabretoothSabretooth (film)Sabretooth is a 2002 made for television science fiction-horror film directed by James D.R. Hickox. It premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel on November 16, 2002.-Plot:...
- Puppeteer, Sabretooth Animatronics - The Last SamuraiThe Last SamuraiThe Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic drama film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who also co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by John Logan. The film was inspired by a project developed by writer and director Vincent Ward, who had previously filmed the movie in 1990, starring...
- Misc. Weapons and Props - Turbo: A Power Rangers MovieTurbo: A Power Rangers MovieTurbo: A Power Rangers Movie is a 1997 American superhero action science fantasy film directed by David Winning and Shuki Levy. It is set in the Power Rangers universe, serving as a bridge between Power Rangers Zeo and Power Rangers Turbo...
- Puppeteer (uncredited)