American actor, comedian and entertainer Paul Reubens – best known for his character Pee-wee Herman – has passed away aged 70 after a private battle with cancer.
“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,” reads a statement on the official Pee-Wee Herman Instagram page, which included a statement written by Reubens prior to his death. “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.”
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Reubens began his career as a stand-up comedian and member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings in the late 1970s, during which time he developed the childlike character of Pee-Wee Herman.
First gaining mainstream attention with a 1981 HBO special The Pee-wee Herman Show, Reubens teamed with Warner Bros. and director Tim Burton for the 1985 feature film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. He’d continue to portray the character in 1988’s Big Top Pee-wee and the TV series Pee-wee’s Playhouse through to 1990, before retreating into the public eye for much of the decade after his image was tarnished following an arrest for indecent exposure. He would revive the character on Broadway in 2010, before returning in 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.
Outside of Pee-wee Herman, Reubens’ other feature credits include appearances in the likes of The Blues Brothers, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mystery Men, Blow and The Smurfs, while he also worked extensively in television both with guest appearances and voice work.
