01-08-23 | Paul Reubens, known for his enduring character Pee-wee Herman, has passed on at the age of 70. Reubens’ inspired many children and adults alike with his surreal television show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1990. The actor fully inhabited the persona of Pee-wee, often appearing in character on late night talk shows.
Reubens career started in comedy theatre as part of the Groundlings. Soon Pee-wee Herman shot the young actor to fame, leading to three feature films, the first of which was Tim Burton’s debut as a feature director. Several public scandals involving pornography, which Reubens avidly collected, led to him retiring the character for several years.
The actor would continue to appear in films such as early superhero satire Mystery Men and lend his voice to many popular cartoons. Pee-wee Herman returned to the stage and screen in 2009, with Paul Reubens embracing Pee-wee right up until his death. He suffered from cancer, which he successfully kept secret.