For generations, people laughed along with Pee-wee Herman. However, the silly man with the red bowtie wasn’t born with the stage name that fans came to recognize. In Touch breaks down everything you need to know about the actor who played the beloved star ahead of the two-part HBO docuseries Pee-wee as Himself.
Who Is the Actor That Played Pee-wee Herman?
Paul Reubens was the man behind the grey suit and red bowtie. The late actor, who died in July 2023 following his battle with cancer, brought Pee-wee Herman to life in 1978 when he kicked off his sketch comedy career.
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His childhood and interests helped him come up with the stage name, as Pee-wee was a harmonica band and Herman was a lively kid he once knew while growing up.
When Did ‘Pee-wee Herman’ Debut?
Pee-wee first debuted at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles for several months in 1981. The show was an instant hit. HBO later aired a filmed version of the show on its network, helping it reach a wider audience, turning Pee-wee into a nationwide character.
In 1985, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure debuted, which was directed by Tim Burton. In 2019, Paul shared that he was obsessed with Sylvester Stallone during the time that the film’s script was fully written and was inspired by the action star’s confidence to star in his own films. So, when it came to choosing a director for Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Paul wasn’t going to greenlight anyone except for Tim.
Paul Reubens Dead: Pee-wee Herman Actor Dies After Cancer Battle
While introducing himself in the trailer, Paul admitted how “weird” it was to be in a documentary-style interview because he was “used to having control of [his] alter ego.”
Later in the clip, Paul explained that he wanted to teach kids that it was not only OK to be different, but he also helped them celebrate their uniqueness.
“But I want that not just for you, but for myself,” the late comedian admitted.
Pee-wee as Himself premieres on HBO on May 23, 2025, and HBO MAX subscribers can stream the episodes the following day.