Famous comedic actor Paul Reubens, famous for his landmark role as Pee Wee Herman, has passed away after a long, secret battle with cancer at 70. Many entertainers who have worked with him have given their tributes to the beloved entertainer on social media.

Born in August 1952, Reubens had a colorfully strange career as he developed the beloved cult character Pee Wee Herman while he was a member of the Groundlings comedy troupe in 1978. Inspired by a mix of children’s show hosts like Howdy Doody and Captain Kangaroo, Pee Wee built up a cult following from his stage show and his big-screen premiere in the Tim Burton-directed Pee Wee’s Big Adventure before landing his TV series, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, from 1986-91. In his tribute to the actor, Burton shared an image of the two on Instagram and praised Reubens for helping him at the beginning of his career. “It would not have happened without his support. He was a great artist. I’ll miss him,” Burton laments.

 

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In addition to his famous character, Reubens had branched out to a variety of different roles showing off his penchant for bizarre, adult humor from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot film (which he later reprised in What We Do In The Shadows) to the crime drama Blow. Although he had to step out of the spotlight due to controversy over an alleged indecent exposure charge at an adult theater, he remained firmly in the public consciousness, continuing his work as Pee Wee and maintaining his friendships with various actors. “He never forgot a birthday,” late-night host Jimmy Kimmel recounts, “and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.” 

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.

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 31, 2023

Upon his death, the Reubens family released a statement on his Facebook announcing his passing, revealing touching final words from Reubens himself. “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 said.

“We loved you right back, Paul,” Mark Hamill tweeted, “…& can’t thank you enough for the lifetime of laughter.”

“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.”- Paul Reubens
We loved you right back, Paul… & can’t thank you enough for the lifetime of laughter!#RIP pic.twitter.com/u7Ycx0SbTw

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 31, 2023