Paul Reubens, the actor/comedian famous for his portrayal of Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70 after a private battle with cancer, his estate announced on Monday.
The official Pee-wee Herman Instagram page released a statement saying, “Last night we said goodbye to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. His beloved character Pee-wee Herman brought joy to generations of children and adults through his positivity, whimsy, and belief in the power of kindness. Paul showed incredible bravery and fought cancer privately for years, displaying his trademark tenacity and wit.
Paul was a gifted and prolific talent who will forever be remembered in the comedy world. He will always hold a special place in our hearts as a cherished friend and a man of extraordinary character and generosity.”
No details were given about the specific type of cancer Paul Reubens battled or where he passed away.
In his final Instagram post, Reubens apologized to his fans for keeping his cancer diagnosis a secret. He stated, “I apologize for not sharing my battle with you all over the past six years. I have always felt an immense amount of love and respect from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have cherished my connection with all of you and enjoyed creating art for you.”
According to his Instagram statement, Reubens requested that expressions of sympathy be made in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or organizations focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.
Reubens started his career in show business as part of the Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles. He initially developed the character of Pee-wee Herman, a childlike man with a high-pitched voice and his signature gray suit, for the stage. The success of the character led to an HBO special and the popular film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton, where Pee-wee embarks on a quest to find his stolen bike.
This success eventually led to the creation of the CBS Saturday-morning show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which captivated both children and adults. Reubens later brought the character back for the movie sequel “Big Top Pee-wee.”
In 1991, Reubens faced a setback when he was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater in Florida. He retreated from the public eye for several years but eventually made a comeback as himself, not as Pee-wee. He later revived the character with a Broadway stage show and a Netflix film.
Fellow comedian Conan O’Brien expressed his shock and sadness over Reubens’ passing, saying, “No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devoted silliness of Paul Reubens. He would send everyone nonsensical memes on their birthdays, and I mean everyone. His surreal comedy and unwavering kindness were a gift to us all.”
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel also paid tribute to Reubens, describing him as a one-of-a-kind comedian who brought laughter to both kids and parents. He added, “He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.”
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