Paul Reubens is telling his story one last time, this time, in his own words. Nearly two years after his passing in July 2023 at the age of 70, the actor and creator behind Pee-wee Herman opens up in Pee-wee As Himself, a two-part documentary premiering on HBO on May 23.
The docuseries, directed by Matt Wolf, offers a glimpse into Reubens’ world. It features over 40 hours of interviews filmed during the final stages of his six-year battle with cancer. The project, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, explores not just his rise to fame but also his identity, legal controversies, and personal philosophy.
Pee-wee Herman’s character popped out of nowhere
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Reubens didn’t just play Pee-wee Herman; he became him. According to the trailer, the idea for the character came unexpectedly. “Out of nowhere, Pee-wee Herman popped out of me,” he says. That spontaneous creation quickly captured the public’s imagination.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from the controversies that tainted Reubens’ career. In 1991, he was arrested for indecent exposure, an incident that led to a period of public backlash. A decade later, in 2002, he faced child pornography charges, though they were later reduced, and Reubens ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor obscenity charge. Reubens recalls losing control of his public persona and facing the fallout of major controversies.
Paul Reubens was committed to his role as Pee-wee Herman
Despite the setbacks, Reubens never completely stepped out of the spotlight. He returned to the character of Pee-wee multiple times, including a Netflix film in 2016, and continued to work in television and voice acting. The new documentary is expected to combine never-before-seen footage, interviews, and a closer look at the man behind the bowtie.
Even with the fame and the scrutiny, Reubens remained committed to celebrating individuality. “I wanted kids to learn: not only is being different okay, let’s celebrate it,” he shares. “I kept who I was a secret for a really long time. I hid behind an alter ego.” He also addresses his pending death at the time. “Death is just so final,” he reflects. “To be able to get your message in at the last minute is incredible.” HBO’s Pee-wee As Himself airs both parts back-to-back on Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET.