EXCLUSIVE: HBO is used to shedding light on some of the most fascinating people in Hollywood, and is now focusing on highlighting the person who helped create one of the most beloved characters in the world. Sources told Deadline that HBO Documentary Films is producing a two-part documentary about the life of Paul Reubens, the man behind Pee-wee Herman.
Co-production between HBO Documentary Films and Elara, the film will be produced by Uncut jewelry directors Josh and Benny Safdie, his partner Sebastian Bear-McClard, as well as Clown producer Emma Tillinger Koskoff. Matt Wolf is directing.
“I’ve been working with HBO since they were called Home Box Office,” said Reubens. “I am honored and excited to continue my long history there. I love HBO, but I’m not going to marry them. “
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A kaleidoscopic portrait told in two parts, the documentary Reubens traces the life of the imaginative artist behind one of the most unlikely icons in pop culture: Pee-wee Herman.
“I am thrilled to partner with HBO in Paul’s incredible life story,” said Tillinger Koskoff. “He is a unique talent in a generation whose brilliance has created an indelible pop culture phenomenon. The audience will be inspired and entertained by Paul’s creativity, resilience and determination while meeting the person behind the iconic character. “
Starting out as a makeshift comedian and theater actor with the Los Angeles-based comedy troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s, Reubens’s big break came when he introduced the world to Herman in 1982 at a Los Angeles comedy show. The show would sell out for five consecutive months, with HBO producing a special on one of the shows, launching Reubens’ career.
In the following decade, Reubens would appear as the character of Herman in two films: Pee-wee’s great adventure (1985), which was directed by Tim Burton, and the sequel Circus tend Pee (1988). Reubens and the character reached their true peak when CBS gave the go-ahead for Saturday morning’s show Pee-Wee Playhouse, that worked from 1986-90. Any child growing up at that time remembers the show fondly, not only for the fun energy that Reubens brought to the character, but for the knowledge and education he provided to the children in a Sesame Street kind of way.
“We all know Pee-wee Herman; it’s time for the world to meet Paul Reubens, ”said Wolf. “I can’t wait to share your story.”
Sources say the documentary should focus not only on Herman’s years, but also on Reubens’ post-pee decades, when he took off his bow tie to focus on acting on projects that included Ben Stiller Mysterious Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Blow with Johnny Depp.
Reubens would eventually take Herman out of retirement in 2016 on the Netflix special Great Pee-wee Holiday, which had Reubens fan Judd Apatow producing.
Given how private Reubens has been over the years, this will be the first film that will document his life, and given the first ties he has with HBO, it makes sense for him to tell his story to the world.
Reubens is represented by Stewart Talent and Brecheen Feldman Breimer.