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Paul Stanley

Paul Stanley

Actor, also composer · Born January 20, 1952 (74) · Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Paul Stanley is the charismatic front man/lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist/songwriter for hard rock super group KISS, best known for his wailing vocals, high-energy on-stage antics and appeal to female fans. Born Stanley Eisen on January 20, 1952, in Queens, New York, Stanley took a keen interest in music from a young age, and in his early teens he was already playing guitar and writing his own songs. A chance meeting with another aspiring young musician, Gene Simmons, led the two of them to form several musical groups including "Wicked Lester"; however, none of them took off commercially. Stanley and Simmons then decided on a revamped idea of how their "ultimate group" should look and sound, and they then recruited lead guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. After mediocre success from their first three studio albums titled "Kiss", "Hotter Than Hell" and "Dressed To Kill", they released a double live album simply titled "Kiss: Alive", and it was a mega success. KISS was the hottest group in the US between 1975 and 1980, with every album going platinum and stadiums being sold out to frenzied fans. However, all was not well within the KISS ranks, with Criss departing in 1980, followed by Frehley in 1983. Various guitarists and drummers moved in and out of the band over the next 12 years, but an MTV Unplugged (1989) special brought all four original members back together in 1995 with considerable interest from promoters. Subsequently, the original four members embarked on "Kiss: Alive Worldwide", the biggest grossing tour of 1996/97, and they continued to tour relentlessly for the next four years. Thirty years of wild leaps, swirls and prancing had taken their toll on his body, however, and in early 2005 he underwent hip replacement surgery, from which he is expected to make a full recovery. Whilst many may disagree, Simmons and Stanley can proudly stand alongside other key popular song writing duos such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, or John Lennon and Paul McCartney in terms of both longevity and artistic output. His on-camera appearances have included playing his "Starchild" alter ego in the hokey Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978) and as himself in The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
January 20, 1952 (74)
From
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also composer
Titles
9 on MovieCove · 96 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Down 41% in 30 days

What are Paul Stanley's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
37%
Society
32%
Survival
13%
Morality
11%
Bonds
7%
Purpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 6 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 0 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
4
Hopeful
3
Warm
3
Melancholic
3
Absurd
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paul Stanley's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 2 of their 9 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paul Stanley's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

96 credits, 9 with a MovieCove page; 62 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • KISS: End of the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • KISS Rok' N Rosemont! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • KISS: End of the Road Cincinnati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Kiss - Hellfest 2023 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Guitar / Lead Vocals

  • Kiss: Destroyer - 45th Anniversary Super Deluxe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • KISS 2020 Goodbye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as The Starchild

  • Kiss: End of the Road Tour - Vancouver 2019 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Larger Than Life II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Guitar, Vocals

  • Larger Than Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Guitar, Vocals

  • The Vinnie Vincent Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Why Him?(2016)

    as Paul Stanley

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Kiss Rocks Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Guitar / Lead Vocals

  • Scooby-Doo! And Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery(2015)

    as Starchild (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Kiss [2014] Charlotte 40th Anniversary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • The Kiss Monster World Tour: Live from Europe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Guitars, Vocals

  • Kiss [2013] Monster in Prague (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Kiss [2013] Private Acustic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Kiss [2013] Sydney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Kiss [2012] Buenos Aires Rock City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Kiss - Live in Nurburgring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Vocals/Rhythm Guitar

  • Kiss [2012] New Orleans Live Webcast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Live at Rock Am Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Vocals, Guitars

  • KISS: Live in Buenos Aires (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • KISS - THE LOST ALIVE 2 MOVIE (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Kiss Live at Budokan 1988 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Vocals, Guitar

  • Kiss: Satanik Kreatures - Interviews (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Kiss - Live In Japan - Udo Music Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Kiss [2006] Rising Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Kiss: VH1 Rock Honors 2006 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Vocals, Guitars

  • Kiss [2006] VH1 Hanging With Gene & Paul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Kiss - Rock And Roll All Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Squidbillies(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Stanley GPS (voice)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • KISS: Unauthorized (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Guitar, Vocal

  • The Best of KISS: 20th Century Masters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Guitar, Vocals

  • KISS - Love Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Rythm Guitar,Singing

  • KISS: VH1 Ultimate Albums - Alive! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Symphony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as vocals, rhythm guitar

  • Kiss: The Lost Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • KISS: The Videos 1974 - 2002 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Guitar, Vocals

  • KISS: Live in Las Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • KISS : The Videos 1975-1998 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Poison - Greatest Videos Hits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Beyond the Makeup(2001)

    Composer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Kiss [2000] Arte TV Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Detroit Rock City(1999)

    as Kiss

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Stanley (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Rock-A-Big Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Paul Stanley

  • Kiss [1997] Toledo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Millennium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Lew Carroll

  • Kiss: Unplugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • KISS: Reun1ting In Louisville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1996] Irvine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1995] Alive 1995 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1994] Live Santiago de Chile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Kiss: São Paulo, 1994 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1992] The Palace '92 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1990] Detroit 1990 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Rhythm Guitar

  • KISS: Crazy Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Guitar, Vocals

  • Kiss [1988] A Crazy Night With Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Live in Tokyo 1988 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Aerosmith Video Scrapbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Kiss Exposed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Writer · as Self

  • The Return of Bruno(1987)

    as Paul Stanley

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Kiss: Animalize Live Uncensored (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Rhythm Guitar

  • Kiss [1984] Quebec '84 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1983] Essen 1983 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1983] Ao Vivo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1983] If It Is Too Loud, You Are Too Old (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1982] Videos From The Elder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Kiss: The Elder Media Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1980] Sydney Australia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1979] The 1979 TV Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1979] The Return Of Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1979] A Visual Evolution 1973 - 1979 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Media Collection 1974-1978 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Young Music Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park(1978)

    Songs · as Star Child

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Kiss [1977] The 2nd Summit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Live at The Summit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Live in Tokyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Young Music Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1977] New York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1977] Live at Cobo Hall Detroit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • KIiss [1976] TV Collection 1974-1976 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Kiss: TV Collection 1974-1976 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • The Paul Lynde Halloween Special(1976)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Kiss [1976] Dressed For Cobo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Kiss - (Alive Tour) Cobo Hall Detroit, MI January 25, (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Rhythm Guitar

  • Kiss [1976] Detroit 1976 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1975] Midnight Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Kiss - Winterland Or Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1974] Nothin' To Lose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Kiss [1974] Long Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Kiss: Live At Coventry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • KISS Live in Largo 20/12/77 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • KISS: Happy Halloween 1998 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 86th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 96 titles, 94 of them dated from 1973 to 2023; peak year 2016.

Highest rated

The Ringmaster (2019)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

Scooby-Doo! And Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery (2015)

Film career

19732023

Peak 2016 · their film career is on the way up. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1978Screen debut· KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting95 of 96: 94 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stWriting1 of 96: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleOther crew1 of 96: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s23 · 23 acting · 1 crew1980s14 · 13 acting · 1 crew1990s13 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s16 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Paul Stanley's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 7; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 77th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 9 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 9 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)

88th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, composer

Kiss: Beyond the Makeup (2001)

Midcredits 93rd · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 42/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 43, detractors 33. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Paul Stanley work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paul Stanley's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Gene Simmons shares the most, 6.

Actors

Mixed roles