The late Paul Reubens, renowned for his portrayal of Pee-wee Herman, opens up about his identity following years of speculation regarding his sexual orientation.

In the newly released two-part documentary, “Pee-wee as Himself,” which premiered on Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Reubens publicly states that he was gay. This documentary is scheduled to be aired on HBO and Max later this year.

“I was openly gay for a time, but then I chose to return to the closet,” Reubens shares in the film. “Being openly gay would have had a severe impact on my career, so I went to great lengths for a long time to keep it hidden.”

Reubens participated in 40 hours of interviews with director Matt Wolf for the documentary, where he reflected on his past, including his relationship with Guy, a painter he cohabited with in Los Angeles during the 1970s.

He prioritized his career over his personal life and recounts visiting Guy shortly before he passed away from AIDS many years after their breakup. “It was a moment of facing someone on the brink of death,” Reubens explains. He also notes that the emergence of AIDS in the 1980s deeply terrified him.

Reubens narrates the experience of coming out to his parents, particularly highlighting an “incredible” letter he received from his father: “Son, if you’re gay, I hope you can be the best gay man possible.”

The documentary takes a closer look at Reubens’ public controversies, including his arrest for lewd conduct in a movie theater, possession of child pornography, and registering as a sex offender.

“The primary motivation behind making this documentary was to show people my authentic self and to express my pain over being mischaracterized,” he states in the film, as cited by the Los Angeles Times. Being labeled a pedophile impacted “everything going forward and backward.”

“Paul expressed that he felt ready to come out,” filmmaker Wolf confirmed in a statement to YSL News. “Given that he had maintained great privacy throughout his life, discussing his sexuality was indeed the most delicate topic for us to address.”

“I’m gay and have produced several films relating to queer history, so I relate with the challenges faced by artists and entertainers like Paul across various generations,” Wolf shared. “I aimed to allow Paul to convey his experiences as a gay individual and someone who was in the closet on his own terms, and he achieved that beautifully.”

Reubens, who was 70 at the time of his death in 2023 after a concealed six-year battle with cancer, had his passing confirmed by the estate of the beloved entertainer via his official Instagram account.

“Last night, we bid farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose cherished character Pee-wee Herman brought joy to countless children and adults with his positivity, whimsy, and a strong belief in kindness,” the announcement read.

“Paul faced his cancer battle with the same courage and humor that defined his life. An exceptionally talented individual, he will always hold a place in the community of comedic legends and in our hearts as a dear friend known for his remarkable character and generous spirit.”

The heartfelt post included a quote from Reubens, in which he expressed remorse for not being transparent with his health struggles.

“I apologize for not making public what I’ve been going through over the past six years,” Reubens stated. “I’ve always felt immense love and respect from my friends, fans, and supporters. I cherish you all and have loved creating art for your enjoyment.”

“Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which debuted on CBS in 1986, ran until 1990. After a significant hiatus, Pee-wee made a comeback with “The Pee-wee Herman Show” performed in Los Angeles and on Broadway in 2010. Six years later, he starred in the Netflix film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” produced by Judd Apatow and featuring Joe Manganiello.

Apatow, being a fan, “was eager to revive Pee-wee,” Reubens shared with YSL News in 2016 while discussing the film. “He played a pivotal role in bringing Pee-wee back and envisioned a road movie reminiscent of ‘Big Adventure.'”

(This story has been updated with additional information.)

Contributors: Brian Truitt, Bryan Alexander, and Kim Willis