Paul Reubens, the actor who made millions around the world laugh with his Pee-Wee Herman character, has died. He was 70.
“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,” a statement on his official Instagram account read.
The cause of death was cancer, according to the statement.
“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 Instagram post included a quote from Reubens directly to be shared with his fans after his passing: “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 began in the 1970s after he joined comedy troupe the Groundlings in Los Angeles as an improv comedian and stage actor.
The Pee-wee Herman character was first introduced at The Groundlings Theatre in February 1981 before becoming a hit in the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.”
The creator and star of the subversive 1986 to 1990 Emmy-winning TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” revisited his iconic, giddy Pee-wee character on occasion over the years, including Broadway’s “The Pee-wee Herman Show” in 2010 and the 2016 Netflix movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday.”
In 2010 he also brought him back for a live Broadway installment of “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which was filmed for HBO and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.
The performer has also flexed his acting chops with broader roles beyond his most memorable part, including arcs on shows like “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Gotham” and “The Blacklist.”
In a clip that resurfaced nearly a decade ago, it was revealed that Reubens was also in the running for another iconic character: Roger Rabbit. A YouTuber uncovered footage from the early 1980s that showed Reubens voicing the role in an early version of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”
Despite his happy-go-lucky character, Reubens apparently had an antithetical side, too. Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure at a Florida porn house in 1991, and in 2002 he was charged with possessing images that were initially characterized as child pornography. The latter charges were dropped in 2004 when Reubens pleaded guilty to a lesser obscenity charge.
Reubens requested that any donations made in support and sympathy be made in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or other organizations supporting dementia and Alzheimer’s.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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