Pee-wee Herman is a comedy character created and portrayed by the American comedian Paul Reubens. He starred in films and television series during the 1980s. The childlike Pee-wee Herman character developed as a stage act that quickly led to an HBO special in 1981. As the stage performance gained further popularity, Reubens took the character to motion picture with Pee-wee's Big Adventure in 1985, toning down the adult innuendo for the appeal of children. This paved the way for Pee-wee's Playhouse, an Emmy Award-winning children's series that ran on CBS from 1986 to 1991. Another film, Big Top Pee-wee, was released in 1988.
Paul Reubens in character as Pee-wee Herman at the 1988 Academy Awards
One of the prop bicycles used in "Pee-wee's Big Adventure". On display in the Bicycle exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center
Portrait of Pee-wee Herman by Jim McDermott
Reubens in 1985 receiving Harvard Lampoon's Elmer Award for lifetime achievement in comedy
Paul Reubens was an American actor and comedian, widely known for creating and portraying the character Pee-wee Herman.
Reubens in 2016
Reubens as a high school senior, 1970
Reubens exploring Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles (1984)
Reubens as Pee-wee Herman at the 1988 Academy Awards
