Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman actor, dead at 70 after secret cancer battle — rest in peace

The comedic actor, Paul Reubens, famous for his beloved character Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70 after a secret battle with cancer. He kept his struggle private, apologizing for not going public with it and expressing his love and gratitude to his fans for their support.

NEW YORK – CIRCA 1984: Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman circa 1984 in New York. (Photo by Images/Getty Images)

Reubens began his acting career with The Groundlings in Los Angeles and created the character Pee-wee Herman, known for his positivity and whimsy. The character gained immense popularity, leading to a stage show and a hit feature film, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.

He continued to entertain audiences with the Saturday morning children’s series Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which ran for five seasons on CBS, and the sequel film, Big Top Pee-wee. Despite facing setbacks in his career, he appeared in various films and TV shows, earning an Emmy nomination for his role in Murphy Brown.

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After a hiatus, Reubens made a comeback as Pee-wee Herman with a revived stage show in 2010, followed by a third Pee-wee film, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, on Netflix in 2016.

Paul Reubens leaves behind a legacy of laughter and joy as the iconic Pee-wee Herman, and he will be dearly remembered by fans worldwide. Rest in peace to the incredible talent who brought so much happiness to our lives.