Paul Reubens dead: Pee-wee Herman actor was 70

nypost.com:

statement on his official Instagram account read.The cause of death was cancer, according to the statement.“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.”The Instagram post included a quote from Reubens directly to be shared with his fans after his passing: “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’ career began in the 1970s after he joined comedy troupe the Groundlings in Los Angeles as an improv comedian and stage actor.The Pee-wee Herman character was first introduced at The Groundlings Theatre in February 1981.The creator and star of the subversive 1986 to 1990 TV series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” revisited his iconic, giddy Pee-wee character on occasion over the years, including in the 2016 Netflix movie “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday.”In 2010 he also brought him back for a live Broadway installment of “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” which was filmed for HBO and received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special.The performer has also flexed his acting chops with broader roles beyond his most memorable part, including arcs on shows like “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” “Gotham” and “The Blacklist.”In a clip that resurfaced nearly a decade ago, it was revealed that Reubens was also in the running for another iconic character: Roger Rabbit.