Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dead at 70

Tributes are flowing for Paul Reubens, the actor who played Pee-wee Herman – who gave an apology as his final message before death.

Paul Reubens, the actor who made millions around the world laugh with his Pee-wee Herman character, has died. He was 70.

He was best know for his 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. However a number of convictions dented his career and public image including registering as a sex offender for a time.

“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.

Actor Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, has died at the age of 70. Picture: Andrew H. Walker/Getty

Final message

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.”

Others are today paying tribute to the star:

Goodbye Paul

Goodnight sweet prince
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

Hamlet
William Shakespeare

— Cher (@cher) July 31, 2023

Love you so much, Paul. One in all time. Thank you for my career & your forever friendship all these years & for teaching us what a true original is. ♥️♥️💔 #PaulReubens#PeeWeeHerman ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GMcBaEgWix

— natasha lyonne (@nlyonne) July 31, 2023

Lots of talk about Paul Reubens as Pee Wee (and rightfully so) but his turn as an adult Habsburg child on 30 Rock still remains one of the funniest episodes of television I've ever seen. RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/M4ED28taeY

— Dan Sheehan (@ItsDanSheehan) July 31, 2023

RIP Paul Reubens; what a fun life he led pic.twitter.com/HjQ30WOe5n

— Curtis Kimberlin Jr (@ckimberlinjr) July 31, 2023

Rip Paul Reubens. You always made me laugh. pic.twitter.com/BNoXcClSZG

— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) July 31, 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 one of the most unique and uniquely gifted people I have known. My times in his company were a delight. Stories, ideas, opinions, life experience - so much to share. He brought joy. Your talents were many&wonderful. And Pee Wee was a delight.#RIP PaulReubens

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 31, 2023

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

“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.”- Paul Reubens
We loved you right back, Paul... & can't thank you enough for the lifetime of laughter!#RIPpic.twitter.com/u7Ycx0SbTw

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 31, 2023

Reubens’ career began in the 1970s after he joined comedy troupe the Groundlings in Los Angeles as an improv comedian and stage actor, reported the New York Post.

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 the 2016 Netflix movie Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.

Reubens in 2016. Picture: Mike Windle/Getty

In 2010 he also brought him back for a live Broadway instalment 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?

Police mug shots of Paul Reubens.

Arrest

Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure at a Florida porn cinema in 1991, and in 2002 he was charged with possessing images that were initially characterised as child pornography. The latter charges were dropped in 2004 when Reubens pleaded guilty to a lesser obscenity charge and was sentenced to three year’s probation. He agreed to register as a sex offender during his probation.

Reubens requested that any donations made in support and sympathy be made in honour of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or other organisations supporting dementia and Alzheimer’s.

This story appeared in the New York Post and is reproduced with permission.