\n Paul Reubens<\/span> Amanda Schwab\/Starpix\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Paul Reubens<\/a> \u2014 the actor behind iconic children\u2019s television character Pee-wee Herman \u2014 has died. He was 70.<\/p>\n \u201cLast 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,\u201d a statement shared via Reubens\u2019 official Pee-wee Herman Instagram<\/a> account reads. \u201cPaul 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.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to a photo of Reubens in character as Herman, the Instagram slideshow contained a heartfelt apology from the actor for choosing to keep his cancer diagnosis close to the vest.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease accept my apology for not going public with what I\u2019ve been facing the past six years,\u201d the statement read. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n The post concluded with a request from Reubens for any \u201cexpressions of sympathy\u201d to be made to Stand Up to Cancer or any dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s organization in honor of his late parents.<\/p>\n Reubens created his childlike alter-ego while he was a member of the iconic Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings in the 1980s, performing the character on stage at The Roxy before bringing him to the big screen in Pee-wee\u2019s Big Adventure<\/em> in 1985. Reubens-as-Herman continued to dominate the entertainment landscape with the children\u2019s TV program Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse<\/em> which garnered a whopping 22 Emmys in five seasons. Reubens never tired of playing the role, bringing Herman back in various other iterations over the years, including on Broadway<\/a> in 2011. Herman returned to the big screen in 2016<\/a> with Pee-wee\u2019s Big Holiday<\/em>, which was coproduced by Judd Apatow<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite his illness, Reubens remained devoted to his career. The actor \u2014 who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1988 \u2014 had recently completed a first draft of his memoir, his reps revealed on Monday. He had several more TV projects in the works before passing away, as well as two Pee-wee Herman movie scripts.<\/p>\n Just two days before his death, Reubens\u2019 blog was updated with a link to purchase Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse<\/em> tiki mugs.<\/p>\n In addition to his role as Herman, the two-time Emmy winner was a prolific voice actor who worked on The Nightmare Before Christmas<\/em>, Star Wars Rebels<\/em>, Batman Returns<\/em> and much more. Disney Parks fans<\/a> will recognize him as the voice of the house DJ at Oga\u2019s Cantina at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland as well as the voice of RX-24 on Star Tours. Other fan-favorite roles in Reubens\u2019 decades-long career include the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer<\/em> movie, Dunston Checks In<\/em>, Matilda<\/em> <\/a>and TV shows including 30 Rock<\/em>, Pushing Daisies<\/em>, Gotham<\/em> and more.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Pee](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Pee-Wee-Herman-Dead.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Paul Reubens<\/span> Pee Wee\/Binder\/Rb Prods\/Kobal\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n