John Dixon Paragon, a talented individual, was born in Alaska but spent his formative years in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he received his education.
He began his career in the improvisation group The Groundlings, located in Los Angeles, alongside notable comedians Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman.
John is most renowned for his work on the beloved children's program Pee-wee's Playhouse, where he portrayed the enchanting Jambi the Genie and provided the voice for Pterri the Pterodactyl.
In addition to writing numerous episodes for the show's regular season (1986),John co-wrote the acclaimed "Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special" (1988) alongside Paul Reubens, earning an Emmy Award nomination for Best Writing in a Children's Special.
John has also collaborated with fellow Groundling Cassandra Peterson on various projects, including the recurring role of The Breather, an annoying caller, on her television series Movie Macabre on KHJ-TV-Los Angeles, and co-writing her 1988 feature film, Elvira Mistress of the Dark.
Some of his other notable roles include Cedric, one half of the homosexual couple Bob and Cedric on the television series Seinfeld; the title character in the children's movie The Frog Prince; the sex shop salesman in the cult favorite Eating Raoul; and the owner of a Strip-o-gram business in the 1986 film Echo Park.
In recent years, John has worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to incorporate improvisational performance into attractions at Disney parks.
He returned to his iconic role as Jambi the Genie in the Broadway production of the new "Pee-wee Herman" stage show, which began performances on October 26, 2010, at the Stephen Sondheim Theater.
