Paul Reubens Dead: Pee-wee Herman Actor Dies at 70 After Private Cancer Battle

usmagazine.com:

Paul Reubens — the actor behind iconic children’s television character Pee-wee Herman — has died. He was 70.“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,” a statement shared via Reubens’ official Pee-wee Herman Instagram account reads. “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.”In addition to a photo of Reubens in character as Herman, the Instagram slideshow contained a heartfelt apology from the actor for choosing to keep his cancer diagnosis close to the vest.“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the past six years,” the statement read. “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.”The post concluded with a request from Reubens for any “expressions of sympathy” to be made to Stand Up to Cancer or any dementia or Alzheimer’s organization in honor of his late parents.Reubens created his childlike alter-ego while he was a member of the iconic Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings in the 1980s, performing the character on stage at The Roxy before bringing him to the big screen in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985.

Reubens-as-Herman continued to dominate the entertainment landscape with the children’s TV program Pee-wee’s Playhouse which garnered a whopping 22