Pee-wee Director Was Unaware of Paul Reubens’ Death Until Social Media

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What’s surprising about the Pee-wee as Himself documentary – now streaming with a Max subscription and chronicling Paul Reubens’ life and career – is that it was even made, given that the actor and humorist was a very private individual who kept his identity hidden behind the character he created for years. Unfortunately, Paul Reubens passed away in 2023 at the age of 70.

Reubens chose to withhold certain personal details for the documentary, including his true sexuality and the extent of Phil Hartman’s influence on Pee-wee’s character development. Moreover, he concealed a significant secret from the creators of the 2025 two-part movie during its production, a fact that director Matt Wolf discussed in a recent interview.

Matt Wolf Discovered Paul Reubens Died On Social Media

At the start of “Pee-wee as Himself,” a note explains that the filmmakers weren’t informed during production that Paul Reubens was undergoing treatment for myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer, a fact he had concealed for years. Matt Wolf discovered that his documentary’s subject had passed away in much the same way as many others did, as he shared in an interview with Gold Derby.

A week after Paul’s passing, I had been set to conduct our final interview… However, I learned about his death through Instagram, just like everyone else, on the very same day.

It’s hard to fathom the feelings that must have arisen when you found out that someone with whom you shared countless personal moments was nearing their end without your knowledge. The fact that Wolf intended to meet Reubens again before his demise adds a layer of sadness. Yet, remarkably, the actor managed to record a final audio message which is used in the documentary and provides a poignant, though somber, ending.

Stream Paul Reubens’ best as Pee-wee on Max for less by bundling

With a Max subscription, you can enjoy Paul Reubens’ beloved character Pee-wee in various forms, including his personal appearances. This package also includes the classic special of The Pee-wee Herman Show and Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Typically, a Max plan costs $16.99 monthly, but by combining it with your Disney+ and Hulu accounts, you can get a bundle for just $29.99 per month – a deal that saves you over $20 on these fantastic streaming services!

Deal Available Here: [Link to the deal]

Matt Wolf Struggled To Earn Paul Reubens’ Trust While Making The Doc

It’s not surprising that Wolf learned about Reuben’s diagnosis through social media rather than directly, given how much Reuben’s personal life mattered to him. In an interview with Gold Derby, the filmmaker elaborates on this aspect of Reuben’s character, which, in my opinion, contributed significantly to a strain in their relationship during the making of what I consider one of the finest documentaries about Max.

Trying to win Paul’s trust was an ongoing challenge, as I understood his reservations, yet trust forms the cornerstone of our work as documentarians. However, Paul seemed unwilling or unable to take that bold step of faith.

In various scenes during the movie “Pee-wee as Himself“, there are instances that reveal Paul Reubens’ reluctance to share personal details about himself. The movie starts with Reubens inventing a tale about his childhood in 1930s Mississippi, followed immediately by him discussing his worries with Wolf concerning the depiction of his career achievements and setbacks in the documentary. Towards the end, it is mentioned that Reubens ceased collaboration with the production after a year of filming, along with an excerpt from a phone conversation between him and Wolf addressing their disagreement.

In my opinion, although “Pee-wee Herman” portrayed by himself might not have perfectly aligned with Matt Wolf’s original vision, it nonetheless succeeded marvelously in paying homage to one of the most distinctive and impactful figures in the realm of entertainment – a true icon.

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2025-06-02 21:08