Family, friends and fans are rememberingPaul Reubens, whodiedofcanceron Sunday and wasbest knownfor his characterPee-wee Herman.
Reubens' rep confirmed his death in a statement to PEOPLE on 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,” read the statement.
“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit,” the statement continued. “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.”
Photo Courtesy of Art Streiber / August @aspictures8BIM
Jimmy Kimmelcalled him a “brilliant and original comedian,” andDanny DeVito— who played Reubens' son, Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot in 1992’sBatman Returns— told PEOPLE he “really loved working with him. Very sad.”
Tim Burton, who directed 1985’sPee-wee’s Big Adventure,remembered the late starin asocial media tribute.
“Shocked and saddened. I’ll never forget how Paul helped me at the beginning of my career. It would not have happened without his support. He was a great artist. I’ll miss him,” he wrote alongside a throwback photo of the pair.
EG Daily, who played Dottie inPee-wee’s Big Adventure,alsopaid tributeto Reubens on Instagram, writing, “Paul, the Pee Wee to my Dottie. I am so grateful for getting to do this amazing ride with you. Thoughtful, brilliant, kind and loved.”
Pee-wee’s PlayhousealumNatasha Lyonneshareda series of photos of Reubenswith the caption: “Love you so much, Paul. One in all time. Thank you for my career & your forever friendship all these years & for teaching us what a true original is.”
Laraine Newmanrecalled meeting Reubenswhile studying at California Institute of the Arts in 1973, she wrote the pair “remained friends for the next 50 years. Not day to day. Just the kind of friend that you can text out of nowhere or have a 3 hour lunch with. And don’t get me started on the birthday texts-he sent them ALL DAY. I feel sick.”
“I’m just so thankful I was one of them,” he added. “This is part of one he sent me that I’ll treasure forever. He was a national treasure and a true 1/1. Rest In Peace Paul. ❤️❤️”
Ricki Lakeshared that she was “shaking with disbelief and unbearable sadness” after learning of Reubens' death.
“I am choosing to share this personal video my friend, of almost 3 decades made for my birthday,” she wrote alongside a birthday message from the late actor. “Paul Reubens was one of my absolute favorites. Such a unique and incredible creator and talent but also a gracious, loyal and absolutely hilarious friend.”
She added, “The world will not be the same without him. Rest in peace, dear Paul. ♥️ 😩😩😩😩”
Garrett Hedlundpenneda sweet tributeto Reubens on Instagram, writing, “Dearest Paul, no birthday will be the same. Even if it was a quiet one, it wasn’t quiet from you…Memes…Heartfelt messages…We’ll still laugh 🙏 ❤️”
Kathy Griffinalso remembered receiving “hilarious gifs every year on my birthday” from Reubens in herown tribute post, which featured a GIF from one of his messages.
“I did not know he was ill. The last time we spoke, I invited him to one of my dinner salons and he expressed that he did not want to come because he was worried about Covid,” she wrote. “He came to my house after my Trump photo scandal and spend time with me calming me down.”
“He and I shared a love for old timey celebrities and movie stars. We could chat for hours,” she continued. “He is the reason I joined the Groundlings. He was a complicated and gentle man. Almost too brilliant for one person. A true artist.”
“The work always came first. Offstage he was funny and thoughtful. A true introvert, but always loved playing peewee. Oh, God, I could go on and on. The talks we had. He had that thing where you feel special just having a conversation with him. He was so bright. He will be soooo missed. I know you guys get it.#RIPPeewee#RIPPaulReubens.”
“Today the world lost one of the greatest comedic geniuses of all time,” he continued. “Paul was subversive, brilliant, witty, and had the biggest heart on the planet… anyone on his Birthday mailing list will know what I mean… He was a visionary who was so far ahead of his time and had one of the scariest eyes for talent I’ve ever seen.”
Joe Manganiello/ Instagram
Manganiello added that Reubens was “responsible for breaking so many incredible actors (see everyone inPee Wee’s Playhouse), directors (Tim Burton), and composers (Danny Elfman). He was an artist and a weirdo who fought for other artists and weirdos and the world was a much better place because it had him in it.”
“He was one of the most recognizable faces in the world, an icon, but yet he was still somehow this lovable underdog. I’m just so glad that I got to be a part of his life and ultimately his comeback. I saw how tirelessly he showed up for people and his work with such joy, I feel lucky that I could always be there for him when he needed me… best friends forever. RIP”
DirectorJudd Apatow, who directedPee-wee’s Big Holiday, also responded to the news, calling it “devastating.”
“This is devastating news,” Apatow wrote on Instagram. “We got to spend many years working with Paul on Pee Wee’s Big Holiday and got to see his genius and kindness up close. He made the world so happy! Some of the biggest laughs I have every experienced was watching him perform live. He is irreplaceable. ❤️”
Amy Sedariscalled Reubens' death"heartbreaking"after the news broke, adding, “I just can’t believe it. He was so nice to me. I was such a fan of his. Awwwwwwwwww very very sad.”
BridesmaidsdirectorPaul Feigcalled him a “comedy genius.”
FormerConan O’BriensidekickAndy Richterposted that Reubens “brought me so much joy, and getting to know him was a gift. Truly one of my heroes.”
Cher, who portrayed herself in a 1988Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Specialalso weighed in on Twitter, saying “Goodnight Paul.”
D Dipasupil/FilmMagic
In a statement to PEOPLE, improv and sketch comedy theatreThe Groundlingspaid tribute to the late star, writing, “We were deeply saddened to hear of Paul Reubens passing today. As an iconic member of The Groundlings in the 1970-80s, Paul created his infamous character of Peewee Herman here, which became a cultural phenomenon that spanned decades.”
Scott Sanders, who was a producer on the 2010 Broadway productionThe Pee-wee Herman Show, remembered Reubens in statement to PEOPLE. He recalled seeing the actor perform at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York, sharing, “I was in the front row and found myself in the proverbial hot seat. He picked on me all night, bashing me in the head with a plastic mallet, repeatedly shouting my name while shaking a can of rocks in my ear, and torturing me in every conceivable way. I loved it, of course. He was just the complete embodiment of unbridled childhood joy, and mischief, and I had never seen anything like it.”
After staging a one-night-only event together at Carnegie Hall, Sanders went on to produceThe Pee-wee Herman Showon Broadway, sharing, “It was so moving to see his original fans coming out in droves, now with their own kids & teenagers in tow. His appeal was so enduring, his character so utterly timeless, that it just completely transcended generational divides. It ended up being the very first production at the newly renamed ‘Stephen Sondheim Theatre,’ and we chuckled wondering how Mr. Sondheim felt about Pee-wee being the first star to grace that stage."
Producer Scott Sanders and Paul Reubens as “Pee-wee Herman” pose at The Opening Night After Party for “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” on Broadway at the Bryant Park Grill on November 11, 2010 in New York City.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
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Reubens, who was 70 at the time of his death, left a statement on his Instagram to his fans aboutchoosing to face cancer privately.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the past six years,” Reubens wrote. “I have always felt a huge amount of love from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have loved you all so much and loved making art for you.”
He also asked that any expressions of sympathy be made in his late parents names, Judy andMilton Rubenfeld, to either Stand Up 2 Cancer or organizations involved in dementia or Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
source: people.com
