Paul Reubens died of cancer at the age of 70, we learned on Monday on his Instagram account. “Talented and prolific, he will forever remain in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a friend and treasured man,” the post read. The comedian had never publicly revealed that he had been battling cancer for several years.
“Please accept my apologies for not going public with what I have fought for the past six years,” the same post read. I have always felt so much love and respect from my friends and fans. I loved you all so much, and I loved making art for you. His family praised his battle with the disease.
A post shared by Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman)
His character of Pee-wee Herman, a slender crank with a childish character and the eternal red bow tie, which he had created himself, had been world famous thanks to the film Pee-Wee Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton and released in 1985. He then collaborated again with Tim Burton in the films The Nightmare Before Christmas and Batman: The Challenge.
But years later, he reappeared notably in the Netflix film Pee-Wee Big Holiday, released in 2016.
