Thanks to Pee-Wee Herman, Gen X Got to Grow Up Weird and His New Documentary Is a Reminder of That
- Paul Reubens, the actor behind Pee-wee Herman, shared his personal life story in a two-part documentary titled "Pee-wee as Himself," released May 23 on HBO and Max.
- Reubens led an extremely private, secretly ambitious life shaped by his upbringing from New York to Sarasota, Florida, and influences like circus culture and theater.
- The film features 40 hours of exclusive interviews with Reubens, childhood photos, and discusses his career highs and the scandals, including his 1991 arrest and 2002 home raid.
- Reubens said, "I set the record straight" about his legacy and described feeling like a "shell of a person" while working hard with no personal life during Pee-wee's Playhouse.
- Reubens died in 2023 after a private cancer battle, and the documentary serves as a reflective portrait revealing his impact and struggles beyond his iconic character.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Paul Reubens was the victim of an anti-gay witch hunt that continues today
As I was watching HBO's new two-part documentary, Pee-wee as Himself, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching history repeat itself.The two-part documentary series, directed by Matt Wolf, was filmed over the years leading up to Paul Reubens's death from cancer in 2024 at the age of 70. It features footage pieced together from 40 hours of interviews with the legendary actor, comedian, and children's entertainer. Sign up for the Out Newslett…
‘Pee-wee’ spills the tea in outstanding new documentary
Most of us who have lived long enough to get nostalgic for our formative years have, by now, watched enough documentaries about a beloved entertainment icon from our past to know what to expect when a new one comes along. Such offerings are typically slick biographical portraits blending archival material with newly filmed “talking head” reminiscences and commentaries, and perhaps punctuated by eye-catching animations or other flourishes to add …


What to stream: 'Pee-wee as Himself' and the best of Paul Reubens
The new two-part documentary “Pee-wee as Himself” premiered on HBO and Max on May 23, a complex portrait of a complicated man, Paul Reubens, who found fame as his alter ego, Pee-wee Herman, and notoriety as himself.
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