Fans of the late actor and comedian Paul Reubens, best known for his alter ego Pee-wee Herman, will have a chance to own a piece of his legacy this October. Julien's Auctions has partnered with The Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles for a major auction of Reubens' memorabilia, alongside a special exhibition and screening event.
"Paul Reubens’ Big Auction" is scheduled for October 28, with live bidding taking place at The Groundlings Theatre and online via juliensauctions.com. Leading up to the auction, The Groundlings will host an exclusive exhibition showcasing highlights from Reubens’ personal archive, running from October 14-28.
To kick off the events, The Groundlings will also host a special evening on October 14. This event will feature a screening of several episodes from the original “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” TV series, followed by a panel discussion celebrating Reubens’ life and work. Tickets for this screening and panel will be available for purchase starting Friday at groundlings.com.
Catherine Williamson, managing director of entertainment for Julien's Auctions, highlighted Reubens' profound connection to the venue. Williamson noted Reubens was "one of the great performers of his generation" and emphasized that the collection represents a "remarkable archive" of his artistry and impact. She added there was "no more fitting place to celebrate it than The Groundlings, where it all began."
Reubens' journey began in the 1970s after studying at Boston University and the California Institute of the Arts, when he joined The Groundlings. It was within this improvisational and character-driven environment that he developed his signature Pee-wee Herman character. The character later moved to The Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip, leading to a 1981 HBO special.
His career spanned more than four decades, encompassing film, television, stage, and voice work. Reubens co-wrote the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which marked Tim Burton’s feature directorial debut, and its 1988 sequel “Big Top Pee-wee.” The CBS series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which Reubens created, co-wrote, and co-directed, earned numerous Daytime Emmy Awards during its five-season run. Beyond Pee-wee, Reubens appeared in films such as “The Blues Brothers,” “Batman Returns,” and “Matilda,” and on television shows including “Murphy Brown” (for which he received a Primetime Emmy nomination), “30 Rock,” and “Portlandia.” He also returned to the stage in Los Angeles and on Broadway in 2010, earning another Emmy nomination for the HBO broadcast of “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” and co-wrote and starred in the 2016 Netflix film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.” Reubens was also the subject of the Emmy Award-winning 2025 HBO documentary “Pee-wee as Himself.”
Reubens passed away on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after a battle with cancer.
The upcoming auction will feature over 400 items from Reubens’ estate, including several highly recognizable pieces. Among the highlights are a replica of Pee-wee’s iconic red Schwinn DX bicycle from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which Reubens rode at the 2011 Spike TV Scream Awards (estimated at $5,000-$7,000), and a custom "Easy Rider"-themed Schwinn he rode as Captain of the 2010 Buffalo Chip’s Annual Legends Charity Ride in Sturgis, South Dakota, complete with a "Captain America"-design helmet (also $5,000-$7,000).
Other notable items include the slate gray glen plaid suit Reubens wore in his 2016 Netflix film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” ($8,000-$10,000), and a three-piece beaded and rhinestone-embellished circus costume worn by a stunt performer during the final trapeze act of “Big Top Pee-wee” ($8,000-$10,000). For those seeking something more unusual, a collection of 12 prop food pieces from Pee-wee’s Playhouse refrigerator, including a claymation red pepper with armature arms and olive barbells, will also be up for auction ($800-$1,000). A rare 40-inch Pee-wee Herman doll, produced by Carousel for JCPenney’s exclusive line in the late 1980s, is estimated between $300-$500.
