Today was the birthday of PAUL “PEE-WEE HERMAN” REUBENS (d: 2023); Best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, he starred in the television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse from 1986 until 1990. He also starred in an HBO special called The Pee-wee Herman Show, the 1985 movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and the 1988 movie Big Top Pee-wee. He went on to take roles in darker themed movies such as Blow. Reubens appeared as the Pee-wee Herman character for the first time since 1992 at Spike TV’s 2007 Guys Choice Awards in June 2007.

On January 15, 2011, Reubens appeared on Saturday Night Live as Pee-wee in an extended segment depicting Andy Samberg and Pee-wee getting drunk, taking a ride on a mechanical bull, doing the tequila dance and ambushing Anderson Cooper in an alley way with a chair.

On February 1, 2012, Reubens appeared as Pee-wee on Bravo’s Top Chef Texas and served as guest judge. Part of the contestants challenge was to ride a bike, similar to Pee-wee’s, while gathering ingredients through San Antonio to prepare and serve a special lunch for Pee-wee at The Alamo. The use of The Alamo is a reference to Pee-Wee’s film, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, where his stolen bike is allegedly hidden.

Reubens died of cancer in 2023.