Paul Reubens Reveals He Was Gay in Posthumous Documentary

The late actor behind Pee-wee Herman reflects on his private life, career, and scandals in a new HBO documentary.

Paul Reubens, known for his iconic Pee-wee Herman character, posthumously came out as gay in a new HBO documentary, 'Pee-wee as Himself.'
The two-part film, premiering at Sundance, features 40 hours of interviews in which Reubens opens up about his struggles with fame, sexuality, and personal identity.
Reubens shared that he chose to keep his sexuality private during his lifetime, citing 'self-hatred or self-preservation,' and revealed a past relationship with a man named Guy who inspired aspects of Pee-wee's character.
The documentary also addresses the scandals that impacted Reubens' career, including his 1991 arrest and subsequent public fallout, which he described as devastating.
Before his passing from cancer in 2023, Reubens left a final audio message reflecting on his career, stating that everything he did was 'based in love.'