paymer was born in oceanside, new york, the son of sylvia, a travel agent, and marvin paymer, a pianist and musical director who originally worked in the scrap metal business. the two divorced in 1973. paymer is jewish; his mother was born in belgium and left for the united states because of the nazi occupation. paymer has a brother, steve, and graduated from the university of michigan with a ba in theater and psychology. paymer is married to liz georges, with whom he has two children.