Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Paul Reubens on location filming "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" on May 8, 2015 in New York City© Getty Images

Paul Reubens, who played Pee-Wee Herman, dies aged 70 after private illness

The actor passed away Sunday night, his estate confirmed

Beatriz Colon
Beatriz Colon - New York
New York WriterNew York
July 31, 2023
Share this:

Paul Reubens, who was best known for playing the character of Pee-Wee Herman has passed away aged 70.

The actor died Sunday night after a private battle with cancer, as confirmed by posthumous statement shared on his Instagram account on his behalf.

It read: "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."

WATCH: Movie Stars Gone Too Soon

His estate then said in an attached statement: "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.

They revealed: "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit."

MORE: Lady Gaga breaks silence on Tony Bennett after his death

It concluded: "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."

View post on Instagram
 

The heartbreaking announcement also detailed one of Reuben's last wishes: "Paul asked that any expressions of sympathy be made in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or organizations involved in Dementia or Alzheimer's care, support, and research."

MORE: Sinead O'Connor once shared haunting advice she gave her kids in event of her death

MORE: Randy Meisner, Eagles founding member passes away at 77

Tributes from fans quickly poured in in the comments section under the post, with one fan writing: "This is so sad. Rest easy legend, and thanks for all the fun and secret words," as others added: "Devastated. An icon. A savior. Made space for weird kids growing up into a true hell that humor would help us navigate. Thank you Paul," as well as: "Thank you for making the world a better place, Paul!"

Actor Paul Reubens poses for a portrait dressed as his character Pee-wee Herman in May 1980 in Los Angeles, California.© Getty
Reubens rose to prominence as Pee-Wee in the early 1980s

Reubens, born Paul Rubenfeld, was born on August 27, 1952 to a Jewish family in Peekskill, New York, and grew up spending time between Onenonta, New York and Sarasota, Florida.

He developed a love for the circus at an early age, frequenting establishments such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Paul Reubens poses for a portrait dressed as his character Pee-wee Herman in May 1980 in Los Angeles, California.© Getty
In his first years of fame, he kept his real name hidden and made Pee-Wee his public persona

After attending Boston University in the 1970s and earning a BFA California Institute of the Arts, his signature character of Pee-Wee was born in 1978 during a 1978 improvisation exercise with comedy troupe The Groundlings.

Paul Reubens attends the AOL Build Speaker Series to discuss  "Pee-wee's Big Holiday"  at AOL Studios In New York on March 25, 2016 in New York City© Getty
The actor largely retreated from public life, and little is known of his personal life

After a failed audition for Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, he decided to create his own live comedy show, The Pee-wee Herman Show, which ran for five months before making its way onto television and film. Tim Burton directed him in the now-classic, deeply funny and moving feature film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, in which Reuben's titular character goes onto a wild American odyssey to retrieve a stolen bike. 

That was followed on the small screen by the Saturday morning kids' show Pee-Wee's Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1990, and featured Pee-Wee at home an goofing off with a bevy of friends (human, animals, talking furniture, and more).  He was back on the big screen in a film sequel, Big Top Pee-Wee, which hit theaters in 1988.

The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway Trailer

During his rise to fame, he opted to make public appearances, interviews and such as Pee-Wee, and initially kept his real name under wraps. He was previously married to Chandi Heffner, billionaire socialite Doris Duke's adopted daughter, though their 1989 nuptials are widely reported as having been a "mock wedding" in Hawai'i presided over former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos.

He retreated from the spotlight later in life following a series of scandals and arrests; little is known about his personal life and he is believed to have never had children.

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best celebrity coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Celebrity News

See more