Hollywood stars are mourning the loss of actor Paul Reubens, who passed away at the age of 70 after a private battle with cancer. Reubens was best known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman, who brought joy and laughter to both children and adults with his positivity, whimsy, and belief in the importance of kindness. His death was announced on his official Facebook page, with a statement honoring his talent and character.
Reubens, born Paul Rubenfeld, first created the Pee-wee persona while performing with the Los Angeles comedy troupe The Groundlings in 1978. He later brought the character to the stage and gained widespread recognition through his role in Warner Bros.’ “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), directed by Tim Burton. The success of the film led to a sequel, “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988). Reubens also starred in the CBS Saturday morning children’s program “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1991.
In 1991, Reubens faced a setback in his career when he was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater. Despite this controversy, he continued to create and bring Pee-wee to new audiences. He produced, co-wrote, and starred in an updated revival of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” in Los Angeles and on Broadway in 2010. He also collaborated with Judd Apatow to produce a third Pee-wee film, “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday,” in 2015.
Reubens’ influence reached far beyond the Pee-wee character. He appeared in the Cheech & Chong films “Next Movie” (1980) and “Nice Dreams” (1981) and made TV appearances on “Late Night With David Letterman” in 1982. Many Hollywood stars credit Reubens for inspiring them and influencing their careers. Natasha Lyonne, who made her TV debut on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” at the age of six, expressed her gratitude for Reubens’ impact on her career and thanked him for his friendship. Laraine Newman, an original cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” shared a heartfelt tribute, describing Reubens as a true friend who brought joy to her life.
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Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien, Dane Cook, and Paul Feig were among the celebrities who paid tribute to Reubens on social media. They praised his comedic genius, originality, and kindness. Kimmel highlighted Reubens’ ability to make both children and adults laugh, while O’Brien spoke about the countless nonsensical memes Reubens would send to everyone he knew on their birthdays. Cook, who had the opportunity to work with Reubens in a film, emphasized how great he was both on screen and in real life. Feig expressed his sadness over the loss of a comedy genius and thanked Reubens for all the laughs.
Other Hollywood figures, including Danny DeVito, also shared their condolences and memories of working with Reubens. DeVito described the actor as a nice person and expressed his love for working with him. The industry as a whole mourned Reubens’ passing, with tributes pouring in from all corners.
Paul Reubens’ impact on comedy and entertainment is undeniable. His creation of the Pee-wee character brought joy to countless people throughout his career. His talent, generosity, and ability to make others laugh will be greatly missed. Hollywood stars and fans alike will forever remember Paul Reubens as an iconic figure in comedy.
