Paul Reubens, the actor known for his iconic children’s TV character Pee-wee Herman, has passed away years after a battle with cancer, his team confirmed on Monday. He was 70 years old.
“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 reads on Facebook.
“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.”
During the 1970s, Paul Reubens embarked on his career by joining the Los Angeles live comedy troupe, the Groundlings, where he honed his skills as an improvisational comedian and stage actor. In 1980, he introduced “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a captivating stage production centered around a fictional character he had been developing for quite some time. Pee-wee quickly gained adoration from audiences, leading to a sold-out run of five months and earning Reubens a special show at HBO. He fully embraced the Pee-wee persona in his interviews and public appearances.
In a remarkable collaboration with director Tim Burton, Reubens brought Pee-wee to the big screen in 1985 with “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which received both critical acclaim and commercial success. Three years later, he reprised the role for a follow-up film titled “Big Top Pee-wee,” directed by Randal Kleiser.
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