On Sunday night the entertainment world mourned the loss of Paul Reubens the actor, comedian and children entertainer best known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens passed away at the age of 70 after a six year battle with cancer. Throughout his illness he had chosen to keep his diagnosis private but after his death a statement was shared on his Instagram account, expressing his gratitude and love for his friends, fans, and supporters who had shown him immense love and respect over the years.
The post from Reubens estate captioned Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens paid tribute to the multitalented artist recognizing him as an American icon who had delighted generations of both children and adults with the beloved character of Pee wee Herman. Known for his positivity, whimsy and belief in the power of kindness Reubens was an exceptionally gifted and prolific talent who has left an indelible mark on the comedy landscape. His wit and determination during his private battle with cancer were truly commendable.
Paul Reubens will be remembered and cherished as a treasured friend and a man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit. His legacy as Pee wee Herman and his contributions to the world of entertainment will forever be celebrated and he will hold a special place in the hearts of his fans and admirers. May his memory live on in the comedy pantheon as a source of joy and inspiration.
Paul Reubens, born as Paul Rubenfeld on 27 August, 1952 is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer best known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. He gained widespread fame for his quirky and childlike persona as Pee wee a character he created and brought to life on stage, film and television.
Reubens first introduced Pee wee Herman in the 1981 stage show The Pee wee Herman Show which was a critical and commercial success. The character quickly became a cultural phenomenon and in 1985 Reubens adapted the stage show into the hit film Pee wee Big Adventure directed by Tim Burton. The film further solidified Pee wee Herman popularity and introduced the character to a wider audience.
Reubens went on to create and star in the children television series Pee wee Playhouse which aired from 1986 to 1990. The show garnered a devoted fan following and won multiple Emmy Awards for its innovative and imaginative approach to children's programming.
However, in 1991 Paul Reubens faced a controversy that had a significant impact on his career. He was arrested for indecent exposure in a Florida movie theater which led to a decline in Pee wee Herman public appearances and the suspension of his show. Reubens took a step back from the limelight and focused on other acting projects.
Over the years Reubens continued to work in various films and television shows often in guest roles and voice acting. In 2016, he reprised his beloved role as Pee wee Herman in the Netflix film Pee wee Big Holiday bringing the character back to the screen after a long hiatus.
Paul Reubens portrayal of Pee wee Herman remains one of the most memorable and beloved characters in American pop culture. His innovative and whimsical approach to comedy has left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and he continues to be admired by fans for his unique contributions to comedy and children's entertainment.
His death at Cedars Sinai Medical Center was confirmed on Monday by his longtime representative Kelly Bush Novak who said he had privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit.
Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years Mr. Reubens said in a statement released with the announcement of his death. 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.
Mr. Reubens had scores of acting credits in a career that began in the 1960s, including roles on Murphy Brown, The Blacklist and many other television series and in movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), Batman Returns (1992) and Blow (2001).
But Pee wee a character he created in the late 1970s as a 10 minute bit when he was a member of the Los Angeles comedy troupe the Groundlings overshadowed all else morphing into a bizarre and savvy cultural phenomenon, a character aimed at children but tapping into adult sensibilities and ambiguities.
The unexpected facet of Paul Reubens career was his arrests in the 1990s and early 2000s, which surprised many due to his wholesome and beloved character of Pee wee Herman. In 1991 Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure while at an adult movie theater. Initially he denied the charges in a statement but later pleaded no contest to avoid a permanent charge on his record. The media extensively covered the arrest leading to a cultural backlash Pee wee toys were removed from Toys R Us stores Disney suspended a video featuring Pee-wee from its Hollywood studio tour and CBS canceled re runs of Pee-wee Playhouse.
Despite the setback Reubens made a short comeback in the mid 90s and took on a role in the 2001 drama film Blow. However, he faced another arrest, this time for possessing child pornography. Reubens pleaded not guilty and his representative claimed that the alleged pornography was actually Rob Lowe sex tape and a few vintage collectible images from 30 to 100 years ago. Eventually, in 2004 the charges were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser obscenity charge.
These legal issues had a significant impact on Reubens career and public image and they marked a challenging period in his life. Despite these controversies Paul Reubens continued to be a talented and influential figure in the entertainment industry and his contributions to comedy and children entertainment remained highly regarded.
