Daytime Emmy Award winner and creator of the pop culture icon Pee-wee Herman, Paul Reubens has passed away at age 70 after quietly and privately battling cancer.
Reubens, who is an actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director is best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, which he created and performed in the stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show, the television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse, the feature films Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, and the Broadway show Pee-wee’s Big Adventure Live on Stage! died Sunday night after a six-year struggle with cancer that he kept private, his publicist said in a statement.
“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.”
Reubens, born as Paul Rubenfeld, was born on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York. and grew up in a Jewish family in Sarasota, Florida, where his parents owned a lamp store. As a child, Reubens frequented the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, whose winter headquarters were in Sarasota. The circus atmosphere sparked Reubens’ interest in entertainment and influenced his later work. From a young age, Paul displayed an interest in the performing arts and often entertained his family and friends with his comedic talents.
Reubens attended Sarasota High School, where he was named president of the National Thespian Society. He was accepted into Northwestern University’s summer program for gifted high-school students, joined the local Asolo Theater, Players of Sarasota Theater, and appeared in several plays.
In pursuit of his passion for acting, Paul attended the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied theater and honed his skills. During his time at the institute, he collaborated with several fellow students who later became prominent in the entertainment industry.
During the 1970s, Reubens embarked on his comedic journey by gracing the stages of local comedy clubs. He also showcased his talents on The Gong Show four times, as part of a boy–girl act he had developed with Charlotte McGinnis known as The Hilarious Betty and Eddie. Recognizing his comedic potential, Reubens found a home in the renowned Los Angeles-based improvisational comedy group, The Groundlings.
The genesis of “Pee-wee Herman” can be traced back to a 1978 improvisation exercise with The Groundlings, where Reubens conceived the idea of a man aspiring to be a comic but failing miserably at delivering jokes, creating an endearing comedic failure. Collaborating with fellow Groundling Phil Hartman, Reubens further refined the character’s nuances, while another Groundling, John Paragon, contributed to crafting the show’s concept.
The distinct voice of Pee-wee emerged in 1970 when Reubens participated in a production of Life with Father. In this play, he portrayed one of the most obnoxious characters, and to bring this role to life, Reubens adopted a cartoonish manner of speaking. This animated vocal style eventually became the signature voice of Pee-wee Herman, adding another layer of uniqueness to the beloved character.
The moniker “Pee-wee” was inspired by a tiny, one-inch harmonica from the Pee Wee brand that Paul Reubens cherished during his childhood. As for the surname “Herman,” it pays homage to an exuberant boy Reubens knew during his youth. Pee-wee’s iconic small gray suit, a hallmark of his character, was originally handmade for Gary Austin, the Director, and Founder of The Groundlings, and was later passed on to Reubens.
As for the origin of the red tie, the details are somewhat elusive. Reubens recalls that “someone” gave him a “little kid bow tie” before a performance, contributing to the distinctive look that became a vital part of Pee-wee’s endearing persona.
After getting rejected by Saturday Night Live, Reubens decided he would borrow money and start his own stage show in Los Angeles using the character he had been developing during the last few years we now know as Pee-wee Herman. With the collaborative efforts of fellow Groundlings like John Paragon, Phil Hartman, and Lynne Marie Stewart, Pee-wee Herman garnered a devoted following. Taking his show to The Roxy Theatre, The Pee-wee Herman Show enjoyed tremendous success with five consecutive sold-out months. The show catered to both adults, with midnight performances, and children, with weekly matinees. Its popularity expanded further when HBO featured The Pee-wee Herman Show as part of their series On Location in 1981.
Paul Reubens also brought the character of Pee-wee to the big screen. He appeared as Pee-wee in the 1980 film Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie and reprised the role in 1981’s Cheech & Chong’s Nice Dreams, where he was credited as “Hamburger Dude” in the end credits.
Despite being described as “bizarre” and Paul Reubens earning the label of “the weirdest comedian around,” the reactions to his act were predominantly positive. Pee-wee’s charm lay in being both “corny” and “hip,” blending a mix of “retrograde” and “avant-garde” elements, which resonated with a diverse audience, quickly amassing a dedicated fan base.
As Pee-wee’s popularity soared, the real Paul Reubens decided to take a step back from the limelight. He adopted a unique approach, keeping his real name private and presenting all public appearances and interviews in character, blurring the lines between himself and Pee-wee, often billing Pee-wee as playing himself.
This intentional strategy aimed to create an illusion that Pee-wee was an actual person, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Even when referring to his parents, he preferred them to be known as Honey Herman and Herman Herman, further perpetuating the immersive experience.
In the early and mid-1980s, Reubens made several memorable guest appearances as Pee-wee Herman on Late Night with David Letterman, which helped garner an even larger following for the character.
During the mid-1980s, Reubens embarked on a nationwide tour with an entirely new version of The Pee-wee Herman Show. The show captivated audiences in various venues, including the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Caroline’s in New York City, and culminating in a grand performance at Carnegie Hall in 1984. The success of these live shows further solidified Pee-wee’s status as a cultural phenomenon and Paul Reubens as a skilled entertainer.
Following the remarkable success of The Pee-wee Herman Show, Warner Bros. recognized the potential and hired Paul Reubens to write a script for a full-length Pee-wee Herman film. Initially, Reubens had a different idea in mind, envisioning a remake of his favorite film, Pollyanna. Halfway through writing the script, Reubens noticed everyone at Warner Bros. had a bike with them, which inspired Reubens to start on an entirely new script with Phil Hartman.
Upon seeing Tim Burton‘s impressive work on projects like Vincent and Frankenweenie, both Reubens and the film’s producers were captivated by his unique vision. Consequently, they chose Burton to direct the Pee-wee Herman film. Titled Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, the movie follows Pee-wee on a nationwide quest to recover his stolen bicycle.
Upon its release in 1985, the film garnered mixed reviews from critics. Nevertheless, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure became a cult classic, charming audiences and grossing an impressive $40,940,662 domestically, nearly six times its modest $7 million budget.
Following the success of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, CBS approached Reubens with an ill-received cartoon series proposal, however, in 1986, CBS agreed to collaborate with Reubens on a live-action children’s program, Pee-wee’s Playhouse. The show came with an impressive budget of $325,000 per episode, equivalent to a prime-time sitcom, and CBS granted Reubens creative control, allowing him to bring his vision to life with minimal interference. Although CBS requested a few minor changes over the years, Reubens had the freedom to shape the show as he envisioned.
To bring the vibrant world of Pee-wee’s Playhouse to life, Reubens assembled a talented cast that included actors like Laurence Fishburne and S. Epatha Merkerson. The production took place in New York City, where the imaginative playhouse was crafted to be both educational and artistically engaging for children. Notably, the opening credits featured the enchanting voice of Cyndi Lauper.
Pee-wee’s Playhouse drew inspiration from nostalgic 1950s shows that Reubens cherished during his childhood, such as The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, The Mickey Mouse Club, Captain Kangaroo, and Howdy Doody. The show’s vibrant and fast-paced nature appealed not only to kids but also to adults, creating a dual audience.
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Conscious of Pee-wee’s role as a positive role model, Reubens crafted the show with moral lessons and a focus on teaching children the values of reciprocity. He believed that the show’s appeal to children stemmed from its respect for their intelligence, avoiding any patronizing tone. At the same time, parents were drawn to Pee-wee’s Playhouse for the sense of nostalgia it evoked, reminiscent of their own cherished memories from the past.
The show’s ability to captivate multiple generations and its commitment to entertaining while educating solidified its popularity and endearing legacy. Pee-wee’s Playhouse was on TV from 1986–1991 and garnered 15 Emmy Awards, all of them in the Creative Arts Emmy Award category.
In 1991, Reubens faced a personal setback when he was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater in Florida. This incident led to a significant public scandal and temporarily affected his career. In the following years, Reubans maintained a low profile and focused on rebuilding his career and personal life.
Despite the controversy, Reubens continued to make appearances as Pee-wee Herman in various TV shows, movies, and live events. His character remained an enduring favorite among fans, and he embraced the nostalgia surrounding Pee-wee.
Outside of Pee-wee Herman, Reubens pursued other acting opportunities. Reubens showcased his versatile talent in various movie roles throughout his career. Reubens portrayed the vampire henchman Amilyn in the comedy-horror film Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, he played Tucker Cobblepot, the father of the Penguin.
The family comedy fantasy Matilda featured Reubens as FBI agent Bob. Additionally, he brought his comedic flair to the role of The Spleen in the superhero comedy Mystery Men. Reubens made a cameo appearance as Derek Foreal, a flamboyant drug dealer, in Blow. His voice talents were also featured in the stop-motion animated musical fantasy film The Nightmare Before Christmas as Lock, one of the trick-or-treaters. Reubens played a recurring role on the TV series Murphy Brown.
The role earned him positive reviews and his first and only non-Pee-wee Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
As news of his passing spread, many took to social media to pay their respects:
Pee-wee’s Playhouse co-star S. Epatha Merkerson shared her tribute to Ruebens to Deadline:
“I always called him Pablo. I will truly miss my friend,” Merkerson told Deadline via email about Reubens on Monday. “We met at my audition for Pee-wee’s Playhouse. I did not know of the character…my nephew Sean told me who he was. However, when I walked into the audition I was introduced to a man named Paul Reubens in cut-off jeans, with long hair and a goatee. He looked like a 60s reject! I think Paul saw the confusion on my face and he teased me all through the audition.” She continued, “When I left there I thought, ‘I’ll never get that job!’ I couldn’t concentrate, he kept making me laugh! Well, fast forward to the first day of shooting, he came over to me in costume and I realized then that he knew all along that I had NO idea who Pee-wee Herman was. We became fast friends. I’m gonna miss you, Pablo!”
Reubens’ creation of Pee-wee Herman has left an indelible mark on popular culture. His ability to bring a childlike sense of wonder and innocent humor to his character resonated with audiences of all ages. Pee-wee Herman remains an iconic and beloved figure, and Paul Reubens’ portrayal of him is celebrated for its originality and enduring charm.
Reubens asked that any expressions of sympathy be made in honor of his late parents, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to Stand Up to Cancer or organizations involved in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
Reubens is survived by a sister, Abby Rubenfeld, and a brother, Luke Rubenfeld.
