After quietly battling cancer for years, Paul Reubens, the actor/comedian who famously played Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70.
The announcement came on Monday and CNN’s Brianna Keilar shared on air a statement Reubens had drafted before his death that was addressed directly to his fans.
“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,” he wrote.
A message shared on the official Pee-Wee Herman Instagram page said: “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.”
View this post on Instagram
Reubens’ final wishes included a request that any expressions of sympathy be made in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or organizations involved in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Morgan Fairchild paid tribute to Reubens in response to the post above: “I adored him and am just devastated at his loss. Always so kind and funny, not just ‘Peewee’ funny, but a lovely, warm human being.”
He starred in Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which ran on CBS from 1986 to 1990, and also did two movies, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985 and 1988’s Big Top Pee-wee.
Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure in 1991, for masturbating while watching a film at an adult movie theater in Florida. He pleaded to an obscenity charge in 2004, which was a downgrade from the original charge of possession of material depicting children under 18 engaging in sexual conduct.
He would return as Pee-wee in a 2010 Broadway show and his final film role came in 2016, in a Netflix sequel to Big Top Pee-wee, titled Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.
Tributes poured in online, with Cher reportedly tweeting a quote from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.
“Goodbye Paul Goodnight sweet prince May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,” she wrote, though the tweet appears to have been deleted.
Here’s a sampling of other tributes seen on Twitter:
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.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 31, 2023
Pee Wee got his wish to fly.
Thanks Paul Reubens for the brilliant off the wall comedy.
Our boy Pee Wee…#peewee #paulreubens pic.twitter.com/N5t8orXLD1— Steve Martin (@UnrealBluegrass) July 31, 2023
So sad to learn Paul Reubens has died. I was excited to have him in one of my eps of WWDITS. He brought his wig from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which he’d had modeled on his infamous mugshot – because, he said “it was the coolest I’ve ever looked”. He made every line hilarious. pic.twitter.com/PnzcSh9z6Q
— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) August 1, 2023
No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens. Everyone I know received countless nonsensical memes from Paul on their birthday, and I mean EVERYONE. His surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all. Damn, this hurts.
— Conan O’Brien (@ConanOBrien) July 31, 2023
Paul Reubens was a great, great friend. He gave me the muppets for my birthday and never forgot anyone’s birthday from our class. He was in my class at CalArts and room mates! He was always kind to me and to everyone. He will be missed. #paulreubens #peeweeherman pic.twitter.com/FxI3H3COYL
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) July 31, 2023
We are heartsick the world has lost Paul Reubens. He was a truly good person. https://t.co/3AV7FXLPUs
— The Go-Go’s (@officialgogos) July 31, 2023
We’re going to miss our friend, the uber talented Paul Reubens…#RIP #PeeWee pic.twitter.com/AMGDixczVU
— Mario Lopez (@mariolopezviva) July 31, 2023
Flowers for Walk of Famer Paul Reubens/Pee-Wee Herman. Note the bow tie on the wreath. RIP #walkoffame #Peeweesplayhouse @Donnellywood56 pic.twitter.com/6UQDnfbZZd
— Ana Martinez (@wofstargirl) July 31, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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