Paul Reubens, the actor and comic recognized for his iconic function of Pee-wee Herman, has died. He was 70.
Reubens’ demise was confirmed on the official Pee-wee Herman Fb web page, which mentioned he had been privately battling most cancers for years.
“Final night time we mentioned farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comic, author and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of kids and adults together with his positivity, whimsy and perception within the significance of kindness,” the assertion mentioned. “Paul bravely and privately fought most cancers for years together with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific expertise, he’ll perpetually reside within the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured good friend and man of exceptional character and generosity of spirit.”
The Fb web page additionally shared an announcement from Reubens himself, who apologized “for not going public with what I have been going through the final six years.” He continued, “I’ve all the time felt an enormous quantity of affection and respect from my mates, followers and supporters. I’ve cherished you all a lot and loved making artwork for you.”
Reubens bought his begin in comedy within the Seventies and carried out with the improv troupe The Groundlings, the place he developed the character of Pee-wee Herman. He started performing “The Pee-wee Herman Present” on stage in 1980, and the present quickly obtained an HBO particular. By 1985, he starred because the character within the traditional Tim Burton movie “Pee-wee’s Massive Journey.” From there, Reubens took Pee-wee again to tv with “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran from 1986 to 1990. He additionally reprised the function within the movie sequel “Massive High Pee-wee” in 1988.
In 1991, Reubens was arrested for exposing himself in an grownup theater. He pleaded no contest. Reubens was additionally charged in 2002 with possessing youngster pornography, and he obtained three years probation after pleading responsible to a misdemeanor cost of obscenity. The actor later mentioned he possessed a group of “classic erotica” that he thought of to be artwork however that this was “not one thing that I exploit for any sort of sexual function.” In 2010, Reubens introduced “The Pee-wee Herman Present” to Broadway, and he once more reprised the function within the 2016 Netflix film “Pee-wee’s Massive Vacation.”
Reubens’ Fb web page mentioned that the actor requested for expressions of sympathy to be made in honor of Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, his late mother and father, to Stand as much as Most cancers “or organizations concerned in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care, assist and analysis.”