Pee-Wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dies at 70

Photo bySteve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images

Paul Reubens passed away on Sunday night after a hidden six-year battle with cancer, according to a statement from his publicist.

"Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years," Reubens said in a statement released Monday with the announcement of his death. "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."

Paul Reubens.Photo byArt Streiber

Pee-Wee Herman is one of the most adored personalities in comedy history when it comes to famous characters that have had a lasting impression on culture. Pee-Wee's distinctive charm and eccentric antics, as portrayed by the gifted actor and comic Paul Reubens, have won the hearts of viewers all around the world. When he was a member of the Los Angeles-based comedy troupe The Groundlings in the late 1970s, Paul Reubens created the Pee-Wee Herman persona. What began as a stage act swiftly gained traction and, in 1981, became "The Pee-Wee Herman Show," a critically acclaimed HBO special. The enormous success of the program made Pee-Wee's move to the big screen possible.

Tim Burton's "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" premiered in theaters in 1985 and became an immediate success with both critics and audiences. The movie chronicled Pee-Wee's journey to find his prized bicycle and took viewers on a colorful journey populated by oddball people and priceless moments. Pee-Wee Herman's success in the film solidified his status as a cultural phenomenon.

'Pee-Wee's Big Adventure' movie scene.Photo byWarner Brothers/Getty Images

Due to the character's popularity, "Pee-Wee's Playhouse," a children's television program that ran from 1986 to 1990, was made. Young viewers were simultaneously thrilled and informed by the show's colorful scenery, eccentric puppet characters, and Pee-Wee's contagious laughter, which helped it win countless prizes and honors.

Pee-Wee's Playhouse.Photo byJohn Kisch Archive/Getty Images

Pee-Wee's adventure did not come without difficulties, either. When Paul Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult movie theater in 1991, he experienced a personal setback. The incident led to the figure taking a brief break and a drop in public appearances. But in the late 1990s, Reubens made a surprising comeback by bringing Pee-Wee Herman back for a number of specials and guest appearances.

Paul Reubens demonstrated his dedication to Pee-Wee Herman over the years, demonstrating that his popularity remained. The character became an enduring favorite throughout generations as a result of his quirky, childlike personality and distinctive sense of humor.

A fan hugs Paul Reubens.Photo byL. Cohen/WireImage

The beloved Paul Reubens played the role of Pee-Wee Herman, who has been an enduring symbol in comedy and children's entertainment. Pee-Wee's contagious energy and distinctive laugh continue to bring joy and laughter to millions of admirers across the world, from his humble beginnings on the comedy stage to his triumphs in both television and film. Pee-Wee Herman's legacy will definitely continue as long as there are individuals who enjoy the whimsy and laughter it brings.