And, in 2023, before filming was even finished, Paul Reubens died. Paul Reubens, or his character Pee-wee Herman, may not be a household name outside of the U.S., but viewers have surely come across his face at some point. Reubens’ character also had a hugely popular children’s show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and even a Netflix reboot in 2016. Who was Paul Reubens? Paul Reubens in the documentary 'Pee-wee as Himself.'