Iconic actor Paul Reubens has passed away at the age of 70. He is best known as Pee-Wee Herman, a quirky man-child character. His death comes after a six-year private battle with cancer. Reubens’ publicist announced the iconic actor’s death in a statement.
Reubens Early Years
Born Paul Rubenfeld on Aug. 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York to Judy (Rosen) and Milton Rubenfeld. Reubens’ mother was a teacher and his father was a car salesman and an Air Force Veteran. His father flew for the air forces of the:
- United States.
- United Kingdom.
- And Israel.
Additionally, Rubenfeld became one of the latter country’s pioneering pilots, according to IMDb.
Not long after his birth, his family moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he grew up. At that time, his parents owned a lamp store. Some of Reubens’ neighbors during the winter were from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Big-top families, such as the Zacchinis and the Wallendas, were some of those who lived nearby.
Becoming an Actor
In 1970, the iconic actor graduated from Sarasota High School. Afterward, he attended Boston University for a year before deciding he wanted to be an actor. Then he moved to Hollywood under his new name, Paul Reubens. Once there, he attended the California Institute of the Arts where he majored in acting. Additionally, he worked a wide range of jobs, from pizza chef to Fuller Brush salesman, to pay his rent.
Slowly, Reubens’ career began to grow. By the mid-1970s, he was steadily performing in small theater roles, gig at local comedy clubs, and had four guest appearances on “The Gong Show.” During this time period, Reubens was also a member of an improvisational comedy troupe called The Groundlings. The late Phil Hartman, Conan O’Brien, Julia Sweeney, Jon Lovitz, and Lisa Kudrow.
In 1981, “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” quickly gained traction and was a sellout for five months in a rough at Los Angeles’ Roxy nightclub. HBO aired one performance as a TV special. Four years later, Reubens was taking on his iconic character in Tim Burton’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” A year later, CBS’ “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” entertained children every Saturday morning.
Damaging Charges
On July 26, 1991, Reubens visited his parents in Sarasota while on vacation. Unfortunately, he decided to watch an X-rated movie, “Nurse Nancy,” not knowing the local police set up a sting operation. Allegedly, the iconic star was caught exposing himself in public and was arrested. After he was released on a $219 bail, the media caught wind of the incident. However, it wasn’t until after people recognized him beneath a long-haired wig and fake goatee.
Subsequently, CBS dropped his show, and all the related merchandise was removed from store shelves. He played the iconic character one last time during the MTV Music Video Awards that fall. However, he vowed to never reprise the character again, claiming to use the incident as a springboard to expand his roles.
He played small roles in “Batman Returns,” and “Buffy the Vampire.” Reubens loaned his voice in Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and a recurring role on “Murphy Brown” as Andrew J. Lansing III. Additionally, Reubens can be seen in “Dunston Checks In,” “Matilda,” “Buddy,” and “Mystery Men.”
Saying Goodbye
Earlier today, a post was uploaded to Reubens’ Instagram 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.
The post continued on by describing how he privately battled his cancer while keeping “trademark tenacity and wit.” The comedian was “a gifted and prolific talent.”
Prior to his death, Reubens wrote a statement apologizing to his fans for not sharing his diagnosis publically.
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.
May his loved ones find solace, and may he rest in peace.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
CNN: Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman star, dead at 70
IMDb: Paul Reubens
Variety Magazine: Paul Reubens Dead: Pee-wee Herman Actor was 70
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
