Paul Reubens, the comedian and actor best known for playing Pee-wee Herman, died after a private battle with cancer at 70 years old.
A statement on his Instagram page reads, “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness. Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
The statement included a personal message from the actor: “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
Reubens’ career started in the 1970s after joining the Los Angeles live comedy ensemble the Groundlings as a stage actor and improvisational comedian. He launched “The Pee-wee Herman Show” in 1980, a stage production highlighting a fictional character he developed for years. As Pee-wee became a pop culture icon, Reubens’ show ran for five sold-out months, and he landed an HBO special.
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Reubens also committed to the character in public appearances and interviews. In 1985, he partnered with Tim Burton on “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” the character’s feature film debut and a critical and commercial success. In 1988, Reubens returned for a sequel, “Big Top Pee-wee,” directed by Randal Kleiser. The character transitioned to television on CBS’ weekend morning show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” from 1986 to 1990.
Sadly, Reubens’ image as an adored childhood hero was tarnished in 1991 when he was arrested for indecent exposure at an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Florida. After the scandal, Reubens stepped back from Pee-wee and started doing press as himself. He wouldn’t reprise the iconic role until 2010 when he revived “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway and made several appearances on “WWE Raw” and in some Funny or Die digital sketches.
In 2016, Reubens starred and co-wrote in Netflix’s “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” a sequel to 1988’s “Big Top,” which served as Reubens’ last film before his death. He also acted in numerous roles unrelated to Pee-wee Herman, having roles in films like “Batman Returns,” “Blow,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Doctor Dolittle.” On the television side, he had roles on hit TV shows like “Ally McBeal,” “Murphy Brown,” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel said in a statement, “Paul Reubens was like no one else, a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time. He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.”