Before They Were Stars: Paul Reubens in “The Blues Brothers”

This past weekend marked the very unlikely return of Pee-Wee Herman, as 63-year old (!) Paul Reubens resurrected the character in the Netflix-exclusive film, Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday. Every time I gt back and watch The Blues Brothers, it always takes me surprise when the future Pee-Wee pops up in a very brief role. Back in 1980, Paul Reubens was still an up-and-coming comedian who was in the midst of developing his Pee-Wee Herman character in stage shows when he got himself a bit part as a waiter in this classic restaurant scene with Jake and Elwood Blues.