Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman actor and comedian, dies at 70 after private cancer battle

Paul Reubens, the children’s entertainer known as Pee-wee Herman, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 70.

Reubens’ estate confirmed news of his death on his official Instagram page 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,” the announcement read. “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 post included a quote from Reubens: “I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

Reubens is best known as Pee-wee Herman, a fictional and comedic character Reubens developed in the 1970s that he premiered in stage shows. The childish character was so popular he eventually nabbed an HBO special and later, a 1985 film with Tim Burton, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” in which Reubens toned down the innuendo to make Pee-wee family-friendly. In 1986 CBS debuted “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” a Saturday morning children’s program that ran until 1990. The character was revived after a long hiatus by Netflix in 2016 for the film “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday.”