A newly released HBO documentary has revealed that Paul Reubens, best known for portraying Pee-wee Herman, spoke openly about his sexuality before his passing.
The two-part documentary, Pee-wee as Himself, premiered at Sundance this week, featuring Reubens discussing his sexual orientation and a relationship with a man named Guy.
Despite his long and successful career, Reubens kept his personal life private, admitting in the documentary that he deliberately hid his sexuality to maintain Pee-wee Herman’s public persona.
“I was out of the closet, and then, I went back in the closet. I wasn’t pursuing the Paul Reubens career; I was pursuing the Pee-wee Herman career,” he explained.
Reubens first introduced Pee-wee Herman in 1981 as part of The Groundlings comedy troupe, eventually turning the character into a beloved pop culture icon. However, behind the scenes, he kept his private life under wraps, revealing that he had “many, many secret relationships.”
“I hid behind an alter ego. I spent my entire adult life hiding I was a huge weed head. I was secretive about my sexuality even to my friends [out of] self-hatred or self-preservation. I was conflicted about sexuality. But fame was way more complicated,” he reflected.
The documentary also revealed that Guy, his former partner, sadly passed away due to complications from AIDS.
Filmed before Reubens’ death in 2023 at age 70, the documentary provides a rare glimpse into his private struggles. Just as he kept his sexuality private, Reubens also concealed his cancer diagnosis for years before his passing.
Following his death, a statement shared on social media honoured his legacy: “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness.”
“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
After his passing, many LGBTQ+ fans mourned both Reubens and his iconic character, noting how Pee-wee Herman had long been seen as queer-coded.