Paul Reubens, actor and creator of Pee-wee Herman, dead after ‘private cancer battle’

Paul Reubens, the actor and creator behind the beloved Pee-wee Herman character, has died after a secret battle with cancer.

Paul Reubens, the creator of Pee-wee Herman, has died after a bout of cancer, aged 70. Picture: AP

Hollywood actor Paul Reubens, best known for his fictional comedy character Pee-wee Herman, has died at the age of 70 following a battle with cancer, according to reports on social media.

Reubens died on Sunday night, local time, his estate revealed on Instagram on 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 post read.

Comedian Paul Reubens, left, in the character of Pee-wee Herman, poses with actor/motorcycle builder Lorenzo Lamas. Picture: AP Photo/Steve McEnroe

“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.”

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” wrote Reubens in a statement posted to Instagram posthumously.

“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, in character as Pee-wee Herman, poses on stage after a performance of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" on Broadway in New York. Picture: AP

Reubens began his career in the 1977 after joining famed Los Angeles live comedy troupe the Groundlings as an improvisational comedian and performer.

In 1980, he devised “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a live stage show based around the childlike fictional character of Pee-wee, with some reports stating it was out of anger at failing to get cast on Saturday Night Live.

The creation took off and led to an HBO special in 1981 and was soon followed by Hollywood movies Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985 and a follow-up film, Big Top Pee-wee in 1988.

Quirky, awkward, unpredictable and appealing to both children and adults, it’s Pee-wee Herman, not Reubens, who was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

However, Reubens’ life was not without controversy and he was arguably ‘cancelled’ before the term had been coined.

In July 1991, Reubens was one of several men arrested in Florida for public indecency while watching a film at an adult cinema.

Paul Reubens was arrested in an adult movie theatre in 1991 and that event badly derailed his career. Picture: Supplied

The arrest was widely covered in the media and Reubens was publicly ridiculed, Pee-wee toys were removed from stores, and CBS television cancelled the reruns of his show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

Reubens released a statement denying the charges but the damage to his career was done and he faded from the public eye.

In 2002, Reubens pleaded guilty to an obscenity misdemeanor following a search of his home.

On Monday afternoon, local time, celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the comedy pioneer.

Poker Face star Natasha Lyonne tweeted “Thank you for my career & your forever friendship all these years & for teaching us what a true original is”.

Former schoolmate, actor David Hasselhoff, tweeted that Reubens was “a great friend.”

Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman) on stage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards in New York City in 2012. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Fellow comic Sandra Bernhard on Instagram called Reuben’s Pee-wee’s Playhouse “brilliant and subversive.”

Jimmy Kimmel posted “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.”

Comedian Dane Cook, who worked with Reubens, called him “a gifted performer and a nice person.”

According to Deadline, Reubens is survived by sister Abby and her wife Helia; brother Luke; and nieces Lily and Sarah.

Originally published as Paul Reubens, actor and creator of Pee-wee Herman, dead after ‘private cancer battle’