The Safdie Brothers Producing 2-Part HBO Documentary About Pee-Wee Herman Star Paul Reubens

Filmmakers and producers Josh and Benny Safdie are teaming with HBO to produce a two-part doc about Pee-Wee Herman actor Paul Reubens. The doc is described as a “kaleidoscopic portrait” of Reubens, who started his career as a comedian and stage actor before making his sold-out stage show called The Pee-wee Herman Show. Reubens translated the stage show first into two feature films and then a CBS Saturday-morning children’s TV show. He faced controversy when charged for indecent exposure in an adult movie theatre in the early ‘90s, but has bounced back, retaining the fanbase that has followed him since the beginning.

Matt Wolf (Teenage, Spaceship Earth) is directing the doc, with the Safdie Brothers, Emma Tillinger Koskoff (Joker, The Irishman), and Sebastian Bear-McClard (Good Time, Uncut Gems) producing.

Paul Reubens humorously said of working with HBO:

“I’ve been working with HBO since they were called Home Box Office! I’m honored and excited to continue my long history there. I love HBO, but I’m not going to marry them.”

Director Matt Wolf said of the project:

“We all know Pee-wee Herman; it’s time for the world to meet Paul Reubens. I can’t wait to share his story.”

Producer Emma Tillinger Koskoff said:

“I’m thrilled to partner with HBO on Paul’s incredible life story. He is a once-in-a-generation talent whose brilliance created an indelible pop culture phenomenon. Audiences will be inspired and entertained by Paul’s creativity, resilience, and determination as they get to know the person behind the iconic character.”

I am absolutely looking forward to watching this. I have a long history with loving Pee Wee that goes all the way back to my earliest memories. My husband and kids and I regularly quote Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, and I am interested in finding out Reubens’s whole story. Will you be watching this doc?