The HBO documentary "Pee-wee as Himself" is out TODAY, and it includes Paul Reubens explaining how he came up with the name Pee-wee Herman.
He says, quote, "I had a little, tiny harmonica that said 'pee-wee' on it, and I knew this kid when I was little who was this crazy, really loud, nutty kid, and his last name was Herman."
Reubens also talks about going back INTO the closet for the sake of his career. He had a "long-term, very serious relationship" with a man named Guy in the '70s, but when it ended, he decided to hide his sexuality.
Quote, "I was as out as you can be, and then I went back in the closet. My career absolutely would have suffered if I was openly gay. So I went to great lengths for many, many years to keep it a secret."
Paul lost his battle with lung cancer in July of 2023. He was 70.
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