Pee-Wee Herman Two-Part Documentary Planned: HBO

SARASOTA, FL — HBO Documentary Films announced a two-part documentary of Paul Reubens, better known as the character Pee-wee Herman, who was raised in the Sarasota area.

“A kaleidoscopic portrait told in two parts, the Paul Reubens documentary traces the life of the imaginative artist behind one of pop culture's most celebrated and unlikely icons: Pee-wee Herman,” according to a news release from HBO.

Reubens, a Sarasota High School graduate, was the star of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” The show ran Saturday mornings on CBS from 1986 to 1990.

“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,” Reubens said in a statement.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Sarasota newsletters and real-time email alerts.

The film is being produced by HBO Documentary Films and Elara Pictures. Other producers on the project include Emma Tillinger Koskoff (“The Irishman,” “Joker”), Sebastian Bear-McClard (“Uncut Gems, “Good Time”), and Josh and Benny Safdie (“Uncut Gems, “Good Time”).

“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,” Tillinger Koskoff said in a statement. “Audiences will be inspired and entertained by Paul’s creativity, resilience and determination as they get to know the person behind the iconic character.”

Matt Wolf (“Spaceship Earth”) is the director of the unnamed documentary.

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