‘Pee-wee Herman’ Paul Reubens Dead At 70

A controversial icon has passed away: Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens has died. 

On the actor’s Instagram account, representatives for the actor released a statement announcing his passing. They shared, “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer.” They explained that his “beloved character Pee-wee Herman” delighted “generations of children and adults.” Paul left behind a legacy of “positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness.”

Paul Reubens Passes From Cancer

The cause of his passing was cancer, according to the statement. It read, “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit.” They referred to his gifted and “prolific” talent, and role as a treasured friend. The statement closes by calling Paul a “man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”

 

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Commenters flooded the Instagram post with well-wishes for the actor. Some referred to him as “legendary.” Others lamented the part of their childhood that has now passed on. One commenter wrote that the worked with Paul in 2008. They shared, “He became a friend and ever since then he never forgot to send me a birthday, Xmas and V-day card.” The commenter mused, “He knew how to make people feel special and I never saw him get angry or upset.” They concluded that they will miss him, but his legacy will endure.

However, Paul’s legacy was a complicated one. While most people remember his Pee-wee Herman persona fondly, a scandal interrupted his career that left that legacy in jeopardy. As Pee-wee Herman, Paul delighted children and helped adults connect with their inner child. He embraced the silly and the absurd, and delighted generations of people.

Paul Reubens’ Rise And Fall As Pee-Wee Herman

Things weren’t always so rosy in the world of Paul Reubens. He rose to fame in his role as the titular character in Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Three films followed the original show: Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Big Top Pee-wee (1988), and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016).  However, there was a grim reason for the large gap between the second and third films: Paul was arrested in Florida. In 1991, Sarasota police arrested the popular children’s actor in an adult theater for exposing himself. Paul maintained his innocence, and his publicist called the Sarasota Police Department’s tactics “questionable.”

Paul was 70 at the time of his death. It is not believed that he left any children behind, but Paul was always very quiet about his personal life.

Do you remember Pee-wee Herman fondly, or are your memories tainted by Paul Reubens’ arrest? Share your memories of the actor in the comments, and let us know your thoughts about his passing. Tune in to TVShowsAce for all your Hollywood breaking news.