LOS ANGELES — Actor/comedian Paul Reubens, best known for his portrayal of alter-ego Pee-wee Herman, has died at age 70 after a battle with cancer, a diagnosis he had kept private, his estate announced Monday.
“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,” according to a statement posted on the official Pee-wee Herman Instagram page. “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 hears as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
Details about the type of cancer Reubens battled were not released, nor was it clear where he died.
The Instagram post included a statement from Reubens himself, apologizing to his fans for keeping his cancer diagnosis secret.
In this Nov. 11, 2010 file photo, Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, attends the after-party for the opening night of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
Actress Morgan Fairchild and funny man Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) pose for photographers as they enter the American Comedy Awards at the Los Angeles Palladium Theater, May 20, 1987. Herman was a host/presenter at the show that aired on ABC-TV. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill)
Actor Paul Reubens, best known for his role as Pee-wee Herman, has died at the age of 70.
Actor Mike Meyers and Pop Culture Award recipient Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) backstage at the TV Land Awards 10th Anniversary show at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES
Pop Culture Award recipient Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens), host Kelly Ripa, and actor Mike Meyers backstage at the TV Land Awards 10th Anniversary show at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012, in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES
Paul Reubens, appearing as Pee-wee Herman, poses at the 2011 Scream Awards, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Los Angeles. The award show is dedicated to the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres of feature films, television and comic books. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, right, waves to the crowd after receiving the Visionary Award from presenter Rainn Wilson at the 2011 Scream Awards, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Los Angeles. The award show is dedicated to the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres of feature films, television and comic books. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Pee-Wee Herman talks with the media prior to WrestleMania XXVII at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, April 3, 2011. (Paul Abell/AP Images for WWE)
Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, attends the after-party for the opening night of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, poses on stage after a performance of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, poses on stage after a performance of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Comedian Paul Ruebens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, leads 300 bikers out of Deadwood, S.D. on Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, on the 3rd Annual Legends Ride charity event during the 70th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Reubens was slated to participate in various charity events and host what was billed as the world’s largest “Tequila dance” to the tune of the 1958 instrumental by the Champs. (AP Photo/Steve McEnroe)
Actor Paul Reubens arrives at the opening night of The Pee-Wee Herman Show in Los Angeles, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Actor Paul Reubens portraying Pee-wee Herman poses for a portrait while promoting “The Pee-wee Herman Show” live stage play, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
Comedian Pee Wee Herman, whose real name is Paul Reubens, admires his star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood in this July 20, 1988 file photo. (AP Photo/Ira Mark Gostin, File)
In this Oct. 29, 2010 file photo, Paul Reubens, in character as Pee-wee Herman, poses on stage after a performance of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” on Broadway in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)
Actor Paul Reubens portraying Pee-wee Herman poses for a portrait while promoting “The Pee-wee Herman Show” live stage play, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
Actor Paul Reubens portraying Pee-wee Herman poses for a portrait while promoting “The Pee-wee Herman Show” live stage play, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he said. “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.”
According to the post, Reubens “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 and Alzheimer’s care, support and research.”
Reubens began his show business career with the Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles. He originally developed the character of Pee-wee Herman, a boyish man with a high-pitched voice and trademark gray suit, for the stage. The success of the character led to an HBO special and successful feature film debut in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton and featuring Pee-wee on a quest to recover his stolen beloved bicycle.
That led to the CBS Saturday-morning cartoon show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which proved almost as popular among adults as it was with children. Reubens also revived the character for the movie sequel “Big Top Pee-wee.”
His career took a hit in 1991 when he was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater in Florida. Reubens dropped out of the public eye for years, although he eventually returned to acting — but as Reubens, not Pee-wee. He eventually brought the character back in a Broadway stage show and later a Netflix film.
