Post by kittylady on Jul 31, 2023 17:46:27 GMT
Paul Reubens dead at 70: Actor known for playing 'Pee Wee Herman' dies after secret battle with cancer
Actor Paul Reubens passed away on Sunday night after battling cancer
The 70-year-old was remembered as a 'gifted and prolific talent'
Pee-Wee Herman star Paul Reubens has died at the age of 70.
The actor, who performed as the iconic character since 1977, passed away on Sunday night after battling cancer in private.
Reubens had cancer for six years - but kept his fight a secret. He battled the disease with his 'trademark tenacity and wit.'
In a note written by Paul but posted by his family after his death, the actor asked for forgiveness for not informing the world about his diagnosis.
Paul Reubens wrote: 'Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years.
'I 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.'
Reubens' estate announced the sad news online. They wrote on his Instagram page: '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.
'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.'
Reubens created the beloved Pee-Wee Herman with the late Phil Hartman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and ultimately his 1985 movie Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.
That led to his hit TV series Pee-Wee's Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991, along with the 1988 movie Big-Top Pee-Wee.
The two-time Daytime Emmy winner all but retired Pee-wee following his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at a Florida adult movie theater.
A 2002 police raid on Paul's house led to a child pornography charge that was later reduced to possession of obscenity.
Reubens later claimed that he was an erotica collector - and had a stash films and magazines, as well as a sizable collection of mostly homosexual vintage erotica.
For the next three years after he pleaded guilty to the obscenity charge in 2004, he was required to register his address with the sheriff's office.
He could not be in the company of minors without the permission of their parent or legal guardian.
The Blacklist actor brought Herman back for a 2010 Broadway revival.
Reubens once again resurrected the character with the 2016 Netflix movie Pee-Wee's Big Holiday.
Tributes poured in for the actor.
Jimmy Kimmel said: 'Paul Reubens was like no one else - a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time.
'He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.'
One person wrote on social media: 'I’m absolutely gutted. PeeWee Herman showed me it was okay to be weird. He got me through my childhood. Rest in peace, Paul Reubens.'
Another added: 'It cannot be overstated how huge a pop culture phenomenon Pee-wee Herman was in the 80s, PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE will forever be one of my formative comedy films, Paul Reubens we thank you for creating a truly iconic character, RIP legend.'
He took legal action against James Comisar and his memorabilia company The Comisar Collection.
In the lawsuit Reubens claims that some old, iconic props from his hit television show Pee-Wee's Playhouse had been taken and used in a way he had not intended.
The props included the Dog Chair, Floory puppets, and Mr. Window in addition to cue cards and signed photos.
It was Reuben's understanding that the props would eventually be a part of a 'Museum of Television' for public display and on the promise that he could retrieve the stuff whenever requested.
However, the comedian claims that he had later discovered that there was actually no museum at all and alleges that Comisar had kept the items for their private collection.
Daily Mail
Actor Paul Reubens passed away on Sunday night after battling cancer
The 70-year-old was remembered as a 'gifted and prolific talent'
Pee-Wee Herman star Paul Reubens has died at the age of 70.
The actor, who performed as the iconic character since 1977, passed away on Sunday night after battling cancer in private.
Reubens had cancer for six years - but kept his fight a secret. He battled the disease with his 'trademark tenacity and wit.'
In a note written by Paul but posted by his family after his death, the actor asked for forgiveness for not informing the world about his diagnosis.
Paul Reubens wrote: 'Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years.
'I 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.'
Reubens' estate announced the sad news online. They wrote on his Instagram page: '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.
'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.'
Reubens created the beloved Pee-Wee Herman with the late Phil Hartman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and ultimately his 1985 movie Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.
That led to his hit TV series Pee-Wee's Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991, along with the 1988 movie Big-Top Pee-Wee.
The two-time Daytime Emmy winner all but retired Pee-wee following his 1991 arrest for indecent exposure at a Florida adult movie theater.
A 2002 police raid on Paul's house led to a child pornography charge that was later reduced to possession of obscenity.
Reubens later claimed that he was an erotica collector - and had a stash films and magazines, as well as a sizable collection of mostly homosexual vintage erotica.
For the next three years after he pleaded guilty to the obscenity charge in 2004, he was required to register his address with the sheriff's office.
He could not be in the company of minors without the permission of their parent or legal guardian.
The Blacklist actor brought Herman back for a 2010 Broadway revival.
Reubens once again resurrected the character with the 2016 Netflix movie Pee-Wee's Big Holiday.
Tributes poured in for the actor.
Jimmy Kimmel said: 'Paul Reubens was like no one else - a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time.
'He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.'
One person wrote on social media: 'I’m absolutely gutted. PeeWee Herman showed me it was okay to be weird. He got me through my childhood. Rest in peace, Paul Reubens.'
Another added: 'It cannot be overstated how huge a pop culture phenomenon Pee-wee Herman was in the 80s, PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE will forever be one of my formative comedy films, Paul Reubens we thank you for creating a truly iconic character, RIP legend.'
He took legal action against James Comisar and his memorabilia company The Comisar Collection.
In the lawsuit Reubens claims that some old, iconic props from his hit television show Pee-Wee's Playhouse had been taken and used in a way he had not intended.
The props included the Dog Chair, Floory puppets, and Mr. Window in addition to cue cards and signed photos.
It was Reuben's understanding that the props would eventually be a part of a 'Museum of Television' for public display and on the promise that he could retrieve the stuff whenever requested.
However, the comedian claims that he had later discovered that there was actually no museum at all and alleges that Comisar had kept the items for their private collection.
Daily Mail
