'Pee-wee Herman' Star Paul Reubens Opens Up About His Sexuality in Posthumous Documentary
Associated Press
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Paul Reubens, the beloved actor behind Pee-wee Herman, left behind a legacy filled with laughter and hidden struggles, but his true self only comes to light sadly after his death.

AceShowbiz - Late actor Paul Reubens, best known for his iconic portrayal of Pee-wee Herman, made a profound revelation in his posthumous two-part HBO documentary, "Pee-wee as Himself," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Reubens, who passed away from cancer in July 2023 at the age of 70, used his final interviews to address the long-held secret of his sexuality and the far-reaching impact on his life and career.

In candid conversations with director Matt Wolf, spanning over 40 hours, Reubens unveiled the emotional torment he endured by keeping his true self hidden. "I was secretive about my sexuality even to my friends [out of] self-hatred or self-preservation," Reubens confessed.

Despite his gentle and fun-loving on-screen persona, Reubens struggled privately with his identity and the pressures of fame. He recounted his relationship with a boyfriend named Guy before his rise to stardom. He described the heartbreaking moment of visiting Guy in the hospital during his battle with AIDS.

"To talk about seeing someone at death's door... He probably died a couple hours after that," Reubens shared. These personal anecdotes were juxtaposed with his need to hide behind his beloved character, Pee-wee Herman. "I wasn't pursuing the Paul Reubens career, I was pursuing the Pee-wee Herman career," he admitted.

The documentary also delves into the dark periods of Reubens' life, including his arrest at an adult movie theater in 1991, which led to charges of indecent exposure. This arrest, and subsequent scandals involving more damning allegations (which were later dropped), significantly marred his career.

Reubens lamented, "I lost control of my anonymity. It was devastating. People had never seen a photo of me other than Pee-wee Herman. And all of a sudden, I had a Charlie Manson mugshot."

Despite these setbacks, Reubens experienced a partial comeback with "The Pee-wee Herman Show" on Broadway in 2010 and the film "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" in 2016. He ultimately created the documentary to set the record straight.

"More than anything, the reason I wanted to make a documentary was for people to see who I really am, and how painful and dreadful it was to be labeled something I wasn't," he expressed in his final audio message before passing.

"Pee-wee as Himself" aims to offer young people and fans a full, unvarnished picture of who Paul Reubens truly was, beyond the bow tie and quirky laugh. His story is a poignant reminder of the complexities behind public personas and the importance of authenticity.

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