Paul Reubens is best known to the world as Pee-wee Herman — the bowtie-wearing, bike-riding, man-child who became a pop culture icon. But in the new HBO documentary Pee-wee as Himself, Reubens finally steps out of the shadows of his famous alter ego. Filmed before his passing in 2023, this two-part documentary compiles over 40 hours of interviews, 1,000 hours of archival footage, and never-before-seen personal photos. Reubens takes control of the narrative, offering a rare glimpse into his life beyond the red bowtie.
According to the press release, Pee-wee as Himself is “the definitive portrait” of Reubens. It dives into his circus roots, avant-garde theater influences, and his journey toward separating his private self from the public character of Pee-wee.
In an exclusive HBO clip, Reubens reveals how doing drag in art school helped him shape Pee-wee. “I got in drag, and I made a film that I think, that was a dream… I could draw a line from that to having an alter ego and being successful at having that character ‘pass’ as a real person.” The film also highlights a same-sex relationship that deeply impacted his art. Pee-wee as Himself premieres May 23 on HBO and Max.
