 Hartman met comedian Paul Reubens and the two became friends , often collaborating on writing and comedic material . Together they created the character Pee @-@ wee Herman and developed The Pee @-@ wee Herman Show , a stage performance which also aired on HBO in 1981 . Hartman played Captain Carl on The Pee @-@ wee Herman Show and returned in the role for the children 's show Pee @-@ wee 's Playhouse . Reubens and Hartman made cameos in the 1980 film Cheech & Chong 's Next Movie . Hartman co @-@ wrote the script of the 1985 feature film Pee @-@ wee 's Big Adventure and had a cameo role as a reporter in the film . Although he had considered quitting acting at the age of 36 due to limited opportunities , the success of Pee @-@ wee 's Big Adventure brought new possibilities and changed his mind . After a creative falling @-@ out with Reubens , Hartman left the Pee @-@ Wee Herman project to pursue other roles . 
