Paul Reubens, actor best known as Pee-wee Herman actor and comedian, dies at 70

Aug 1, 2023

Paul Reubens, the children’s entertainer known as Pee-wee Herman, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 70.

Reubens’ estate confirmed news of his death on his official Instagram page Monday. “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,” the announcement read. “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 post included a quote from Reubens himself, apologizing to fans for dealing with his health privately. “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he said. “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 is best known as Pee-wee Herman, a fictional and comedic character Reubens developed in the 1970s that he premiered in stage shows for the Los Angeles improv troupe “The Groundlings.” The man-child character was so popular he eventually nabbed an HBO special and later, a 1985 film with Tim Burton, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” in which Reubens toned down the innuendo to make Pee-wee family-friendly. In 1986 CBS launched “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” a Saturday morning children’s program that ran until 1990. The character was revived after a long hiatus in 2010 for the stage show “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which ran in LA and on Broadway, and six years later by Netflix for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” produced by Judd Apatow and co-starring Joe Manganiello.

“(Apatow) was this fan and he wanted to bring Pee-wee back,” Reubens told USA TODAY in 2016 while discussing the Netflix film. “He was key to the return. And he wanted to do a road movie, something that was a nod toward ‘Big Adventure.’”

Reubens’ life and career was not without controversy. In 1991, Reubens was charged with public masturbation after he allegedly was caught in the act in a Sarasota, Florida, movie theater. In 2001, he was charged with possessing child pornography. He later settled the case, received three years’ probation and agreed to be registered as a sex offender during his probation, The Associated Press reported.

Reubens was known for his commitment to the Pee-wee character, showing up as Pee-wee in interviews, live appearances and once hosting NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” He was nominated for 14 Emmy Awards over the course of his career and won twice. He also had an acting career outside of Pee-wee, appearing in films like “The Blues Brothers,” “Blow” and “Life During Wartime” and on TV series including recent guest-starring roles on FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” and ABC’s “The Conners.”

Comedians and others in Hollywood remembered and grieved Reubens after the news of his death.

“Paul Reubens was like no one else − a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time,” Jimmy Kimmel wrote on Twitter. “He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.”

“No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens,” Conan O’Brien tweeted. “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.”