Paul Reubens, the comedic actor renowned for his portrayal of the beloved character Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70. His death came after a private battle with cancer, which he courageously kept hidden from the public. In a posthumous statement shared on his Instagram, Reubens expressed regret for not revealing his health struggles and conveyed his profound gratitude and affection for his friends, fans, and supporters.
Representatives of Reubens issued a heartfelt caption bidding farewell to the iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. They praised Pee-wee Herman as a character who brought joy and optimism to generations of both children and adults, emphasizing his unwavering belief in kindness and his unique whimsicality.
Born on August 27, 1952, Reubens began his acting and improvisation career with The Groundlings in Los Angeles. Despite facing rejection from Saturday Night Live, he found success by developing the unforgettable Pee-wee Herman character, which became a hit in LA and led to a recorded HBO special, numerous talk show appearances, and the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton.
Reubens further expanded Pee-wee’s popularity with the Saturday morning children’s series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which aired for five seasons on CBS. Although he encountered setbacks, including a hiatus from the character and a 1991 arrest for indecent exposure, Reubens continued to act in various films and TV shows, receiving an Emmy nomination for his guest starring role in “Murphy Brown.”
After a long hiatus, Reubens returned as Pee-wee Herman in a revived stage show in 2010, which later made its way to Broadway as an HBO special, garnering an Emmy nomination. In 2016, he delighted fans once more with the Netflix premiere of the third Pee-wee film, “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.”
The legacy of the incredible Paul Reubens, who brought laughter to so many through his iconic Pee-wee Herman character, will forever live on in the hearts of those he touched. Rest in peace, Paul Reubens. 💔❤️ Please share this story as a tribute to his memory.
