Paul Stanley is the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of KISS, known on stage as the Starchild. Born on January 20, 1952, he is 74 years old as of 2026. Away from the stage, he is married to Erin Sutton and has four children.
Stanley spent more than five decades at the center of KISS, one of the most theatrical bands in rock history. The star painted over his right eye became his signature, and that image remains inseparable from the band’s classic era.
His private life has drawn nearly as much attention as his stage work. From his first marriage to actress Pamela Bowen to his current family with Sutton, the details that matter most to fans — his wife, his children, his age, and the Starchild makeup — are all part of his public biography.
Who Is Paul Stanley’s Wife?
Paul Stanley is married to Erin Sutton. The couple has been married since November 19, 2005.
Before Sutton, Stanley was married to Pamela Bowen, an actress, from 1992 to 2001. Bowen is the mother of his eldest son, Evan Shane Stanley.
Paul Stanley is the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of KISS. He also designed the band’s iconic logo.
On stage he is the Starchild, recognized by the painted star over his right eye.
Married to Erin Sutton; father of four children. Previously married to Pamela Bowen.
KISS was active from 1973 to 2023. A 2026 Las Vegas event is billed as the only place to see the band live that year.
- Paul Stanley was born on January 20, 1952, which makes him 74 years old as of 2026.
- He co-founded KISS and served as rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist until the touring run ended in 2023.
- His KISS persona, the Starchild, was defined by a painted star over his right eye.
- He has been married twice: to Pamela Bowen from 1992 to 2001, and to Erin Sutton since 2005.
- He has four children: Evan, Colin, Sarah, and Emily.
- KISS appearances in Las Vegas in 2026 are promoted as the only place to see the band live that year.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth date | January 20, 1952 |
| Age | 74 as of 2026 |
| KISS role | Co-founder, rhythm guitarist, co-lead vocalist |
| Stage persona | The Starchild |
| Signature makeup | Painted star over the right eye |
| Current wife | Erin Sutton, married November 19, 2005 |
| First wife | Pamela Bowen, married 1992, divorced 2001 |
| Children | Evan Shane (b. 1994), Colin Michael (b. 2006), Sarah Brianna (b. 2009), Emily Grace (b. 2011) |
| KISS active years | 1973–2023 |
| 2026 events | Las Vegas appearances billed as the only place to see KISS live |
How Many Children Does Paul Stanley Have?
Paul Stanley has four children. His eldest child, Evan Shane Stanley, was born on June 6, 1994, during his marriage to Pamela Bowen.
With Erin Sutton, Stanley has three more children: Colin Michael Stanley, born September 6, 2006; Sarah Brianna Stanley, born January 28, 2009; and Emily Grace Stanley, born August 9, 2011.
Who Are Paul Stanley’s Daughters?
Stanley has two daughters, Sarah Brianna Stanley and Emily Grace Stanley, both from his marriage to Erin Sutton. His sons are Evan Shane Stanley and Colin Michael Stanley. Published records cover the children’s names and birth dates, but little else about their lives has been made public.
Stanley and Sutton have kept their children outside the public eye. Available coverage extends to names and birth dates, with little additional private detail published.
What Makeup Does Paul Stanley Wear in KISS?
In KISS, Paul Stanley performed as the Starchild, a persona built around a specific face-paint pattern. The most recognizable element was a star painted over his right eye. During the band’s classic era, that makeup made him instantly identifiable on stage.
What Is Paul Stanley’s KISS Outfit?
The Starchild’s outfit reinforced the makeup rather than competing with it. The painted star, the stage costume, and Stanley’s frontman presence combined into one visual package. KISS’s early and classic-era photography centers on that complete image, which is why the Starchild remains the look most associated with his KISS years.
KISS built its stage legend on multiple personas; a dedicated KISS members guide breaks down each character’s role in the band.
The quickest way to identify the Starchild is the star over Paul Stanley’s right eye. The makeup is described as black-and-silver and appears across KISS’s promotional imagery from the band’s classic period.
How Old Is Paul Stanley?
Paul Stanley was born on January 20, 1952. He is 74 years old as of 2026. The age figure comes directly from his publicly recorded birth date, which is consistent across biographical databases and media profiles.
KISS ended its official touring run in 2023, making the 2026 Las Vegas appearances a separate chapter. Stanley’s official Instagram presents them as the only place to see KISS live that year; the full event program remains subject to official announcements.
When Did the Key Moments in Paul Stanley’s Life Happen?
Stanley’s public record runs from his birth in 1952 to the planned Las Vegas chapter in 2026.
- — Stanley is born on January 20.
- — KISS is formed, with Stanley as co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
- — KISS appears without makeup for the MTV era.
- — Stanley marries actress Pamela Bowen.
- — Son Evan Shane Stanley is born on June 6.
- — Stanley and Pamela Bowen divorce.
- — Stanley marries Erin Sutton on November 19.
- – — Colin Michael, Sarah Brianna, and Emily Grace are born.
- — KISS concludes its touring run after a 50-year career.
- — Las Vegas appearances are scheduled; official channels describe them as the only place to see KISS live that year.
These dates draw on Wikipedia’s Paul Stanley biography, People’s profiles of the KISS members, NNDB, and Stanley’s own official channels.
What Do We Know for Certain About Paul Stanley?
The documented facts about Stanley are consistent across independent sources. A handful of secondary details, however, are not yet fully settled.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| KISS was active from 1973 to 2023, with Stanley as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist. | The full schedule and exact title of the 2026 Las Vegas event are still subject to official confirmation. |
| Stanley performed as the Starchild, with a painted star over his right eye. | The origin of the term “Starchild” is not attributed to a single source in the available record. |
| He married Erin Sutton on November 19, 2005, and was previously married to Pamela Bowen. | Some biographical databases list his birth name as Stanley Bert Eisen, but official channels have not consistently confirmed that spelling. |
| He has four children, born in 1994, 2006, 2009, and 2011. | The children’s private lives are not documented; only names and birth dates are part of the public record. |
Why Does the Starchild Look Define KISS’s Visual Legacy?
Makeup and costume were the strongest visual identifiers KISS ever produced. Stanley’s Starchild persona was the clearest version of that approach: the painted star over his right eye turned the rhythm guitarist into a larger-than-life figure.
Stanley also shaped the band’s identity beyond his own makeup. According to his official biography, he designed and created the iconic KISS logo. The logo became inseparable from the band’s visual brand.
Outside the band, Stanley’s public activity has centered on music, fitness, community work, and raising funds for cancer research, as summarized on his official Facebook page. The combination of stagecraft, visual design, and longevity is why the Starchild image remains tied to his career.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Paul Stanley?
The most reliable material on Stanley comes from official channels, biographical references, and mainstream media profiles. Each source type covers a different side of his career and personal life.
He was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of KISS, which was active from 1973 to 2023.
Wikipedia
Stanley designed and created the iconic KISS logo.
PaulStanley.com
Only place to see KISS live in 2026.
Paul Stanley on Instagram
For the band’s own announcements and archival material, KISS’s official site remains the most direct source.
What Should You Remember About Paul Stanley?
Paul Stanley’s public story is a single arc: co-founder of KISS, the man behind the Starchild on stage, husband to Erin Sutton, and father of four. He was born on January 20, 1952, and remains a central figure in KISS’s ongoing history, with Las Vegas appearances scheduled for 2026. His singing, rhythm guitar work, and stage presence have made him a lasting reference point for rock frontman vocals and persona.
What Else Do People Ask About Paul Stanley?
Who was Paul Stanley’s first wife?
Pamela Bowen, an actress. They married in 1992 and divorced in 2001. Their son, Evan Shane Stanley, was born on June 6, 1994.
What did Paul Stanley look like when he was young?
In KISS’s early and classic era, he performed as the Starchild, with painted face makeup built around a star over his right eye. That look defined his youthful onstage image.
When did Paul Stanley marry Erin Sutton?
November 19, 2005. The couple has three children together: Colin Michael, Sarah Brianna, and Emily Grace.
What was Paul Stanley’s role in KISS?
He was the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of KISS. On stage, he performed as the Starchild.
Is KISS performing in Las Vegas in 2026?
Yes. Las Vegas appearances are scheduled for 2026, and Stanley’s official Instagram describes them as the only place to see KISS live that year.
When was Paul Stanley born?
January 20, 1952. He is 74 years old as of 2026.
What is the Starchild persona?
The Starchild was Paul Stanley’s stage persona in KISS. It was visually anchored by the painted star over his right eye and the theatrical costume identity of the band’s classic era.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.