Jimmy Kimmel Promotes New Documentary About Paul Reubens
The late-night host offers a sneak peek at an upcoming special about the man behind Pee-wee Herman.
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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Jimmy Kimmel has taken to Instagram to promote an upcoming two-part documentary about Paul Reubens, the actor best known for creating and portraying the beloved character Pee-wee Herman. In his post, Kimmel shared a brief clip with the caption: “Meet Paul, the man behind Pee-wee, May 23 on @StreamOnMax.” The short video teaser suggests viewers will get an intimate look at Reubens, whose iconic character became a cultural phenomenon.
Documentary Premieres Next Month
Pee-wee as Himself centers on an intimate interview with Paul Reubens. The footage was recorded before he died in 2023. The documentary reveals Reubens’ personal life and creative journey in depth.
According to reports, director Matt Wolf used over 1,000 hours of archival material. He also had access to tens of thousands of unseen photographs, which came from Paul Reubens’ private collection, to make this documentary.
In the documentary, Reubens speaks candidly about his eclectic influences. He reflects on his upbringing in Sarasota, Florida, and shares memories of his formative years at CalArts, where he shaped his performance art. The film traces his early days with The Groundlings improv troupe, where Pee-wee Herman was born. It follows the character’s meteoric rise with Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
It sheds light on the challenges Reubens faced, including his 1991 arrest and the media storm that followed. In some clips, Reubens opens up about the strain of keeping his private life separate from his public persona.
Beyond all this, the film includes interviews with Reubens’ sister, Abby Rubenfeld. It also features collaborators like Gary Panter and Wayne White, cast members from Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and filmmakers Tim Burton and Judd Apatow, among others. Behind-the-scenes moments show Reubens and director Matt Wolf working together. These clips capture their creative process during the making of the documentary.
Kimmel’s Recent Activities
Jimmy Kimmel has been particularly active on social media lately, sharing a variety of content with his followers. Recently, he announced his participation in a project called “Love Thy Nader,” described as “gloriously unhinged,” which will premiere on Hulu and Freeform this summer. The post featured Kimmel alongside the show’s creators, suggesting he may have a guest role or special appearance in the production.
Tributes To Colleagues
Kimmel has also used his platform to pay tribute to colleagues. He recently shared a touching memorial for Jed the Fish, a legendary Los Angeles radio DJ who worked at KROQ where Kimmel also worked early in his career. In the heartfelt post, Kimmel recalled how Jed had encouraged him when he was just 27 years old and new to radio, writing, “There was no one like him, no matter how hard they tried. We will miss you Jed the Fish.”
The upcoming Paul Reubens documentary represents Kimmel’s continued support for projects that highlight influential figures in entertainment. Fans of Pee-wee Herman and those interested in learning more about the man behind the character will want to tune in when it premieres on May 23 on Max.
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