John paragon biography

American actor, writer, and director (1954–2021)

John Dixon Paragon (December 9, 1954 – April 3, 2021) was an American actor, writer and director.

He was best known for his work on the television series Pee-wee's Playhouse, where he portrayed Jambi the Genie^[1] and voiced Pterri the Pterodactyl.^[2] He was also a writer and director on a number of episodes.^[3]

Early life

Paragon was born on December 9, 1954, in Anchorage, Alaska,^[4] but grew up and attended schools in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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He graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1973.^[5][6]

Career

Paragon got his start in the Los Angeles-based improvisation group the Groundlings alongside Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman.

He played Jambi the Genie on the children's TV show Pee-wee's Playhouse. In addition to writing many of its regular-season episodes, he co-wrote (with Reubens) the Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special in