Comedian Paul Reubens who played “Pee-wee Herman” passed away this Sunday at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer for years. His show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” originally aired on CBS back in 1986 and managed to gain 22 Emmy awards during its five-year run where Reubens was personally nominated for 14 and managed to win 2.
However, in 1991, Reubens was arrested for an indecent exposure incident in Florida and sentenced to three years probation in 2004 for an obscenity charge and other certain incidents regarding this nature.
Still, he was loved by audiences and actors worldwide, where late-night talk show hosts Jimmy Kimmel writes “Paul Reubens was like no one else — a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time” and Conan O’Brien remembered “the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens.”
A spokesman person writes on his Facebook page, “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. 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.”
His diagnosis on cancer was never made public, and the late comedian writes, “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he wrote. “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.”
Editor’s Note: He was a longtime friend of Right On!’s former art director, Guy Brown.