Actor Paul Reubens, Creator of Pee-wee Herman, Has Died
Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman
Image: AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo
Sarasota's Paul Reubens, the actor best known for creating the beloved character Pee-wee Herman, died Sunday from cancer, according to a post shared on his Instagram account. He was 70 years old.
"Please accept my apologies for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," Reubens wrote in a statement included with the post. "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."
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Reubens was born in New York, but moved to Sarasota at a young age. He created the character of Pee-wee while performing as part of an underground comedy troupe in Los Angeles before a show featuring the character was picked up by HBO in 1981. That led to films—Pee-wee’s Big Adventure from 1985 and Big Top Pee-wee from 1988—and the TV show Pee-wee's Playhouse, which aired on CBS from 1986 to 1990.
After being arrested in Sarasota for indecent exposure in 1991, Reubens largely stayed out of the limelight, appearing in films like 2001's Blow and performing voiceover work. In 2016, he reprised his role as Pee-wee in Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, co-produced by comedy writer and director Judd Apatow.
After news of his death, celebrities took to social media to mourn the loss and share memories of Reubens.
"This is devastating news," Apatow wrote on Instagram. "We got to spend many years working with Paul on Pee-wee’s Big Holiday and got to see his genius and kindness up close. He made the world so happy! Some of the biggest laughs I have ever experienced were watching him perform live. He is irreplaceable."
"The greatest. No one ever like him, ever," Bravo's Andy Cohen wrote on the post announcing Reubens' death, and actress Marisa Tomei added, "No, no, no. Oh, heartbreak."
Others, like Dita von Teese, Camryn Manheim and Sara Gilbert, offered glimpses into their years-long friendships with Reubens through their tributes.
"Heart is broken," von Teese posted. "I’ll miss the birthday videos and our trips to Super Walgreens. What a wonderful man he was."
"My heart just fell into a million pieces. I love you, Paul," Manheim wrote. "I have saved everyone of your Christmas cards and birthday wishes. You are a kind and gentle soul, and I’ve always loved being in your orbit. Rest in peace, my friend."
"Paul, you were the kindest and most generous of spirit," Gilbert wrote. "I will never have another birthday without thinking of the pictures and videos you would send all day. You always made me feel so loved and special. I hope to be half the friend you were. You are missed. Love you forever, Pee-wee."
