Los Angeles Times

‘Pee-wee as Himself’ gives Paul Reubens the final word on his identity

“I was born in 1938 in a little house on the edge of the Mississippi River; my father worked on a steamboat and his name was Steamboat Milton,” says Paul Reubens by way of misdirection in Matt Wolf’s ...
Yahoo

"Pee-wee as Himself" director says working with Paul Reubens was "contentious" and "thrilling"

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Director Matt Wolf shrewdly recounts Reubens' life and his career as both Pee-wee and the "character" of himself in this revealing ...
Los Angeles Times

Everyone knew Pee-wee Herman. But few knew the man behind the man-child

The first time we see Paul Reubens in the documentary “Pee-wee as Himself,” he is not playing Pee-wee Herman, the antic man-child he portrayed in comedy routines, movies, a children’s TV show and most ...
Forbes

‘Pee-Wee As Himself’ Director Had No Idea Paul Reubens Was Dying

Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman posing for a portrait while promoting 'The Pee-wee Herman Show' live stage play in Los Angeles. "I was scheduled to do a final interview with him the week after Paul ...
Yahoo

‘Pee-wee as Himself’: Director Matt Wolf on exploring the duality of Paul Reubens and earning his trust — ‘It was a constant struggle’

When Matt Wolf took on the daunting task of creating a documentary about the enigmatic Paul Reubens, the man behind the flamboyant and charming Pee-wee Herman, the filmmaker never could have imagined ...
Forbes

‘Pee-wee As Himself’ Delves Into The Complicated Life Of The Character’s Creator, Paul Ruebens

Matt Wolf admits that there were some struggles in making his documentary film Pee-wee as Himself, which tells the story of comedian Paul Ruebens and the epic character he created. “My first meeting ...
The Boston Globe

‘Pee-wee as Himself’ is a bittersweet look at the price of fame

The two-part HBO documentary series, “Pee-wee as Himself” follows in the footsteps of “Faye,” “Sly,” and “Martha”; that is, it’s a film where the subject speaks for himself in interviews conducted by ...
IndieWire

Making ‘Pee-wee as Himself’ Nearly Broke Director Matt Wolf

Inside the year Paul Reubens effectively shelved the Emmy-nominated documentary, and how it changed Wolf as a filmmaker and person. Wolf’s introduction to Reubens came through Josh and Benny Safdie, ...

What happened to Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens? Revisiting his shocking death 3 years later

The Daytime Emmy winner, known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman, died on July 30, 2023 ...
WWNO

'Pee-wee as Himself' is a portrait of a private man and his public alter ego

In 1986, one of the most unusual and iconic kids' TV shows debuted. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "PEE-WEE'S PLAYHOUSE THEME") PAUL REUBENS: (As Pee-wee Herman) Hey. CYNDI LAUPER: (Singing) Come in and pull ...
Deadline.com

‘Pee-Wee As Himself’ Director Matt Wolf On His Emmy Noms, Battle With Paul Reubens, And Upcoming ‘The Bold And The Beautiful’ Doc

Director Matt Wolf; 'Pee-wee as Himself.' Michael Buckner for Deadline/HBO Making Pee-wee as Himself was no picnic for director Matt Wolf. He clashed with the protagonist of his film, the late Pee-wee ...
Salon

“Pee-wee as Himself” director says working with Paul Reubens was “contentious” and “thrilling”

Even as Reubens wanted to impact kids with TV the way it impacted him, he lost part of himself by having his alter ego pass as a real person. Director Matt Wolf shrewdly recounts Reubens’ life and his ...