Movies

Everyone knew Pee-wee Herman. But few knew the man behind the man-child

BBG News

In the documentary “Pee-wee as Himself” for the first time, Paul Reubens is not enacting Pee-wee Herman, the eccentric character he embodied in comedic skits, films, a kids’ TV series, and nearly all his public persona.

In an unusual twist, I found myself face-to-face with Reubens, far from his usual on-screen persona. He sat there, under the glare of the makeup light, his hair expertly styled, exchanging light-hearted banter with the camera crew. With a twinkle in his eye, he spun yarns about his humble origins, claiming to have been born by the banks of the mighty Mississippi, with his father plying trades on a steamboat.

Later on, there’s a slight loosening of his composure. A faint whisper of disagreement with director Matt Wolf about the documentary becomes audible, as Reubens, who deeply desires control over the film, grapples with the fact that due to being its main subject, he is advised by friends and colleagues that he isn’t capable of effectively managing it.

Reubens tells Wolf, ‘To be honest, I think you lack self-understanding,’ he says, hinting at ongoing debates between them. ‘We’ll be having these discussions for quite some time, right up until this documentary wraps up. Take my word for it,'”

Or, more casually:

“Reubens tells Wolf, ‘I think you need to work on understanding yourself better,’ and they’ve got a lot of disagreements ahead, according to him, that will last until the documentary is complete.

On May 23, HBO will air ‘Wolf,’ a two-part documentary about Paul Reubens (as himself), telling the story of how he transformed his love for antiques, TV, avant-garde art, and humor into the character Pee-wee Herman. This quirky, chuckling figure became a significant element in the pop culture of the 1980s and was at the center of a major media scandal in 1991.

The documentary likewise offers a vibrant depiction of the genuine Reubens, who meticulously concealed himself from viewers as his true self. It delves into his childhood, sexuality, and unyielding desire to control any project related to him or his characters – until his demise in 2023 at the age of 70, preceding the completion of the documentary.

What the portrayal of “Pee-wee as Himself” uncovers is a creative individual who meticulously separates his life into distinct realms. He can essentially divide himself, embodying the extroverted, chatty Pee-wee Herman in public and the reserved, introverted Paul Reubens in private. There are entire aspects of him that remain largely unknown to many people.

In an interview, Wolf expressed that everyone has their private world, and artists often harbor multiple personalities. Paul was not any different in this regard, but his approach to expressing these internal selves might have been more intense than what we or others typically experience.

43-year-old filmmaker, known for his nonfiction works such as “Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell” and “Spaceship Earth,” has a special affection for a talking Pee-wee Herman doll rather than movies like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” or the TV show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” despite identifying as a fan of Pee-wee.

Through extended efforts and assistance via mutual acquaintances, Wolf eventually convinced Reubens to consent to a sequence of interviews. However, the director made it clear that this decision was taken with significant reservation and under the proviso that they would have a 30-day trial period to gauge if their collaboration could be successful.

Entertainment & Arts

Actor Paul Reubens, famously recognized for embodying the character Pee-wee Herman prior to a series of arrests affecting his profession, has passed away at the age of 70.

As a cinephile, I found myself gradually earning the trust of Reubens, but our relationship wasn’t all smooth sailing. We frequently clashed over his eagerness to assert control in the movie-making process, which created tension between us.

According to Wolf, Paul initially stated, “I want to make a documentary about myself, but everyone is telling me I can’t. I don’t get why.” To which Wolf responded, “Well, let’s discuss my directing the documentary for you.” Eventually, they agreed that Reubens would have significant input in the film. (Wolf explained that they reached an agreement on Reubens having a meaningful role in the production of the movie.)

It was evident from an early age, even among his friends and family, that Reubens had a strong inclination towards asserting authority. This trait has been noted since his childhood.

He valued having authority over his own story, so he ensured that it was portrayed as he desired,” I, his sister Abby Rubenfeld, stated. “He had a clear vision for himself and worked diligently to make it come true.

As a child, Rubenfeld noted that her brother was destined for a career in entertainment. He would often put on shows in a makeshift stage their father constructed in the basement, or persuade the family to journey from their home in Oneonta, New York, to record an episode of “Howdy Doody” in Manhattan.

“He was so excited you would think he was the guest on Oprah,” Rubenfeld said.

In the late 1970s, when Reubens became part of the Groundlings comedy group in LA, those around him recognized his aspirations too, as it’s a realm where everyone is eager to make an impact.

Tracy Newman, one of the original members of the Groundlings, remarked on his dedication: ‘His commitment was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed.’ He was constantly brainstorming, searching for opportunities, seeking his unique approach.

When Reubens initially conceived the naive, plaything-fixated Pee-wee persona at the Groundlings, Newman commented, “He realized he’d stumbled upon something he could effortlessly develop further, as he was a grown man with the spirit of a 10-year-old boy.

In the height of Pee-wee’s popularity during the 1980s, Reubens chose to represent his character in public appearances instead of himself, avoiding interviews as a means to protect his personal life while still enjoying the everyday comforts of being anonymous.

Voices

Critic’s Notebook: A fresh visit to ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’

The beloved children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” originally aired on CBS Saturdays from 1986 to 1990, is making a comeback and can be found on different networks and streaming platforms today.

Cassandra Peterson, famously known as Elvira, the macabre movie hostess, stated that Brad Pitt might be living a secluded life, perhaps confined in a castle tower. She added, “It’s not fun to have such a limited lifestyle; even Paul (likely referring to Pee-wee Herman) had the luxury of a normal life.” Peterson expressed her desire for both of them to lead ordinary lives and not be constantly admired. When they met without their iconic costumes, according to Peterson, they were just like “a drag queen who has taken off her makeup.

In private, however, Reubens struggled with the choice to conceal his sexual orientation as a gay man, a lifestyle he had embraced freely during his pre-stardom days.

In the glare of his fame, “he felt like he was hiding something,” according to Rubenfeld, a legal advocate for LGBT rights nowadays. “Many likely assumed he was gay, yet he opted to keep his sexuality private. It’s unfortunate when someone experiences such deep discomfort about their identity and it impacts them significantly.

As I immersed myself in the production of “Pee-wee as Himself,” I found it challenging for Reubens to embrace his true self. During a private conversation, Wolf remembered him saying, “I’m not sure how to proceed.” To which I responded, “Just simply say, ‘I am gay.’

After filming resumed, Wolf remembered asking Paul, “By the way, are you homosexual?” Paul responded with some humorous remarks, and then spoke candidly and authentically from his heart.

A young Paul Reubens. (HBO / Pee-wee Herman Productions Inc.)

Paul Reubens in “Pee-wee As Himself.” (HBO)

In 1991, Paul Reubens’ distinction between himself and his character Pee-wee Herman significantly blurred when he was apprehended for an indecent exposure incident at an adult film theater in Sarasota, Florida, a place where his parents resided. At that point, the TV show “Playhouse” was airing repeats.

The frenzy surrounding the events now appears strikingly overblown, as Wolf put it, “I’ve always told him, ‘You didn’t commit any wrongdoing. In hindsight, this was an injustice, a sign of the media’s growing hunger for takedowns, and you were a victim of that trend.’

However, Reubens found himself isolated and the documentary portrays him grappling with prolonged solitude for several months following the event.

After their disagreement during the production of “Pee-wee as Himself,” both the actor and the filmmaker had a reconciliation, once more due to editorial control issues. Subsequently, Reubens expressed his intention to grant one final interview, with Wolf commenting that Reubens trusted him and was uncertain about how much involvement he would be able to maintain. Following this discussion, Wolf felt empowered to proceed with the project, as he believed he now had the necessary confidence.

About a week after, Reubens succumbed to cancer, choosing to conceal his illness from almost everyone apart from his most trusted allies.

Rubenfeld mentioned that even prior to his passing, my brother would sometimes hide the gravity of his ailment from those around him, including me, as one of the few who knew about Reubens’ sickness.

Paul is an actor, and it’s hard to guess his true emotions when speaking with him, as he skillfully hides any sign of a bad mood or illness unless he chooses to reveal them,” she explained.

On the same day when everyone discovered Paul’s passing, Wolf found out about Reubens’ demise through news reports and heartfelt, commemorative tributes that ensued. Despite Reubens’ desire to be deeply involved in the documentary, it was left for Wolf to complete it on his own, utilizing the interviews he had previously conducted with Reubens and a poignant narration that Reubens had recorded near the end of his life.

Television

In a unique and poignant twist, I had the privilege of watching ‘Pee-wee as Himself,’ a riveting documentary from HBO Documentary Films that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. This extraordinary production features an emotional audio recording by Paul Reubens, narrated on his deathbed, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the man behind the iconic character we all know and love.

Wolf recognizes that unintentionally, “Pee-wee as Himself” may be perceived as a comprehensive portrayal of an individual who was often unsure about how to define himself.

Although Paul had made significant efforts to understand himself amidst various traumas and media controversies, it didn’t seem like he fully recognized all his complexities,” Wolf stated. “Much of what I was urging Paul to do was to reconcile different aspects of himself, which was quite unsettling.

Wolf commented, ‘Paul came to understand that I had my own perspective on his tale, and he was comfortable with it.’

Despite whether his views on Reubens might persist or vanish, what will remain significant in the long run, according to Wolf, is Reubens’ legacy as an artist and pioneer who showcased his unique perspective to the broadest spectrum of people, and who paid a price for this exposure.

Wolf stated that there are potential repercussions when you’re an experimental performance artist within the mainstream environment. It’s often challenging to be innovative and widely accepted at the same time.

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2025-05-22 13:31

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