In July 2023 the world became a less funny, less quirky, and less queer place when Paul Rubens, best known for creating the character Pee-wee Herman, passed away at the age of 70, leaving behind an enduring legacy of queer acceptance.
While during his life Ruebens never openly discussed his sexuality, he finally shared his truth posthumously in the documentary Pee-wee as Himself . But for anyone paying attention the signs he was family have been there in his work all along — there was an undeniable queerness imbued in the characters and the setting that made a huge impact on LGBTQ+ kids and adults.
Not only was the show full of campy characters and colorful over-the-top set design, but Pee-wee himself was often read as either an asexual man-child or an effete, gay man. The way that masculinity was portrayed on the show was transgressive — especially in the '80s when the character first graced our screens.
Everything about Pee-wee's Playhouse was unquestionably gay without ever saying the words out loud. From the campy comedy to queer guest stars to Pee-wee even cross-dressing in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, the show has left an imprint on queer culture that can’t be overstated.
So let’s celebrate the life and work of Paul Rubens and take a look back at the ten queerest moments from his career as Pee-wee Herman.
Jambi the Genie
Jambi the Genie, portrayed by the late John Paragon, usually appeared once per episode to grant Pee-wee a wish. The blue-faced genie is considered to be a drag queen by most and if you peep the make-up and styling we can see why!
'Pee-wee Playhouse Christmas Special' Guest Stars
1988’s Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special included a list of guests full of gay icons like Cher, Grace Jones, Little Richards, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, Zsa Zsa Gabor and even k.d. lang.
The Never-Ending Fruit Cakes
During Pee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special, Pee-wee receives a fruitcake from every guest that comes through his door and eventually admits to using them to add a new room onto the Playhouse. We are then treated to a glimpse of the muscular construction workers, one of whom is wearing a tank top and the other is shirtless — the queerness is really right there on the surface once you start to look.
Miss Yvonne
Miss Yvonne was a frequent guest at the Playhouse whose '50s aesthetic was so campy she would have looked at home in a John Waters’ film
Crossdressing in 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'
In the movie Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Pee-wee crossdresses ignorer to elude the cops.
The Time Pee-wee Marries A Fruit Salad
On one episode of Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Pee-wee marries a fruit salad as a play on the frequent “if you love X so much, why don’t you marry it” joke — very subtle!
The Show's Adult Jokes
Adult jokes were peppered throughout the show, often with queer overtones. Like on the short-lived HBO’s The Pee-Wee Herman Show when Jambi the Genie — who is a disembodied head — receives hands in the mail and says, “I’ve had something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
The Hot Lifeguard
Roland Rodriguez plays a lifeguard on Pee-wee's Playhouse who shows off his chiseled physique while wearing short shorts and at one point appears in nothing but tiny gold shorts and gold bow-tie — it's hard to get gayer than that!
The 'Magic Mike' Joke
In Pee-wee's Big Holiday we get yet another example of a quip that adults would enjoy, but would sail right over kids heads, when Joe Manganiello asks Pee-wee if he’s seen “Magic Mike.” Pee-wee responds, “Ha! You’d think so, but no.”
The Queer-Coded Ending Of 'Pee-wee's Big Holiday'
In 2016 Rubens appeared in his final feature-length role as Pee-wee Herman in Pee-wee's Big Holiday. In it, Pee-wee meets Joe Manganiello (as himself) and then leaves his small town to travel to New York to celebrate Joe's birthday. The whole film is often read as a coming out story, but it's really the end of the movie that sells it for us. Pee-wee and Joe exchange friendship bracelets and then ride off into the sunset together on Joe's motorcycle. So sweet!