On July 31, 2023, the news of Reubens' death came as a shock to documentary filmmaker Matt Wolf, who had spent a year trying to convince him to make the ambitious two-part documentary “Pee-wee as Himself,” now streaming on HBO Max, and over 40 hours interviewing him on camera.

The two-part documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself', premieres May 23 on HBOIn the new two-part documentary Pee-wee as Himself, Paul Reubens, best known for his alter ego Pee-wee Herman, aims to "set the record straight" about the moments that shaped and broke his career.

Matt Wolf's two-part HBO documentary on the life and career of Paul Reubens, a.k.a. Pee-wee Herman, explores his identity and need for control.