Paul Shaffer Biography: Paul Allen Wood Shaffer CM born November 28, 1949 is a Canadian singer, keyboardist, composer, actor, author, comedian, and musician. He is best known for serving as the musical director, bandleader, and sidekick to David Letterman throughout the entire runs of Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993) and Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015).
Paul Shaffer Biography
Paul Shaffer was born on November 28, 1949, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He is a well-known actor and composer, recognized for his work in Hercules (1997), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), and A Very Murray Christmas (2015). Since August 19, 1990, he has been married to Catherine Maria Vasapoli, and together they have two children.
Paul Shaffer Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer
November 28, 1949 (age 75)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
| Occupation(s) |
Bandleader, musician, composer, actor, author, comedian |
| Years active |
1972–present |
| Spouse |
Cathy Vasapoli
(m. 1990)
|
| Children |
2 |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
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About Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer CM is a Canadian singer, keyboardist, composer, actor, author, comedian, and musician who served as David Letterman’s musical director, band leader, and sidekick on the entire run of both Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman.
Paul Shaffer Wiki
- Born: 28 November 1949 (age 75 years), Thunder Bay, Canada
- Music groups: Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band ·
- Children: Victoria Lily Shaffer, William Wood Lee Shaffer
- Spouse: Cathy Vasapoli (m. 1990)
- Height: 1.65 m
Early Life
Shaffer was born in Toronto in 1949 and raised in Fort William, which is now part of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was brought up in a Jewish household; his mother, Shirley, was active in charitable work and supported Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America, while his father, Bernard, was a lawyer with a passion for jazz. Shaffer credits a childhood trip to Las Vegas at age 12—where he saw performances by artists like Nat King Cole—as the moment he realized he wanted to be an entertainer.
He began playing piano as a child and later joined a teenage band called the Fabulous Fugitives while living in Thunder Bay. He went on to perform with the Flash Landing Band in venues across Edmonton and British Columbia. While attending the University of Toronto, he played with jazz guitarist Tisziji Muñoz in local bars and developed a love for musicals. Shaffer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1971.
Paul Shaffer Facts
Where does Paul Shaffer live? And how much money does Paul Shaffer earn?
| Birth Date |
28-11-1949 |
| Heritage/origin |
American- Canadian- |
| Ethnicity |
White |
| Religion – believes in God? |
Jewish |
| Residence |
He lives together in a house in Bedford, New York. |
Paul Shaffer Net Worth 2025
Paul Shaffer is an Canadian-American musician and bandleader who has a net worth of $30 million dollars. He is best known as the sidekick for David Letterman talk show since 1982. As a solo artist Shaffer has released few albums while took part in other music projects, specifically in radio work like National Lampoon’s Radio Hour and television shows like Saturday Night Live. He is also the leader of the World’s Most Dangerous Band.
| Estimated Net Worth |
30 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary |
N/A |
| Product Endorsements |
Radio Shack & Rolling Stone |
| Colleagues |
Steve Cropper & Dan Aykroyd |
Paul Shaffer: Wife, Dating, Family & Friends
Paul Shaffer and Cathy Vasapoli have been married since 1990. The couple is blessed with two children Victoria Lily and William Wood Lee.
| Relationship status |
Married (Since 1990) |
| Sexuality |
Straight |
| Current Wife of Paul Shaffer |
Cathy Vasapoli |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives |
Connie Hamzy |
| Has any kids? |
Yes, father of: Victoria Lily & William Wood Lee |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Bernard Shaffer (Father)
- Shirley Shaffer (Mother)
- Victoria Lily (Daughter)
- William Wood Lee (Son)
Friends
- Martin Short
- Gilda Radner
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This talented musician originating from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada has a thin body & long face type.
| Hair color |
Bald |
| Hairstyle |
alternative |
| Beard or Mustache |
Beardless |
| Eye Color |
Dark Brown |
| Height |
165 cm |
| Weight |
63 kilo |
| Feet size |
N/A |
| Does Paul Shaffer smoke? |
No, never |
| Does Paul Shaffer have a tattoo? |
No |
FAQs
What is Paul Shaffer best known for?
Paul Shaffer is best known for being the musical director, bandleader, and sidekick on both Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman, roles he held from 1982 to 2015.
Where did Paul Shaffer grow up?
Although born in Toronto, Paul Shaffer was raised in Fort William, which later became part of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
What inspired Paul Shaffer to pursue a career in entertainment?
A childhood trip to Las Vegas, where he saw performances by Nat King Cole and others, inspired Shaffer to become a performer—a moment he later described as life-changing.
What was Paul Shaffer’s educational background?
Paul Shaffer attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1971 while also developing his musical career.
What was Paul Shaffer’s early music experience?
As a teenager, Shaffer played the organ in a band called the Fabulous Fugitives and later performed with the Flash Landing Band across various venues in Canada.
Has Paul Shaffer acted in any films or shows?
Yes, Paul Shaffer has appeared in films such as This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Hercules (1997), and A Very Murray Christmas (2015), among others.
