Paul Reubens
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Paul Reubens (born Paul Rubenfeld) (August 27th 1952 – July 30th 2023) was an American comedian and actor, best known for creating and portraying the child-like character Pee-wee Herman.
Reubens joined the Los Angeles improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s, where he developed the Pee-wee character with fellow Groundling Phil Hartman. After a failed audition for Saturday Night Live, Reubens debuted a stage show, The Pee-wee Herman Show, in 1981. The show (and character) became an instant cult success, and for the next decade, Reubens performed all public appearances and interviews in character as Pee-wee.
In 1985 Reubens wrote and produced a feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton, which was a financial and critical success. Between 1986 and 1990, Reubens starred as Pee-wee in the CBS Saturday morning children's program Pee-wee's Playhouse. The series became a major success, garnering fifteen Emmy Awards during its initial run. The series featured contributions from notable artists and musicians such as Gary Panter, Mark Mothersbaugh and The Residents.
In July 1991, Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater in Sarasota, Florida. The arrest was widely covered by the national media, resulting in significant negative publicity; retailer Toys "R" Us removed Pee-wee Herman toys from sale, and CBS cancelled reruns of Pee-wee's Playhouse, leading to Pee-wee fans picketing in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in support of Reubens. He also received support from many popular figures and collaborators. Reubens kept a low profile following the arrest, retiring the Pee-wee character following an appearance at the 1991 MTV Music Video Awards.
Reubens returned to the entertainment industry in 1995, appearing on six episodes of the sitcom Murphy Brown between 1995 and 1997. In 1999 he starred in the superhero comedy Mystery Men, and appeared as a hairdresser turned drug dealer in the 2001 film Blow. He subsequently started giving interviews as himself rather than as Pee-wee.
The Pee-wee character maintained an enduring popularity with both children and adults. Pee-wee's Playhouse was aired again on late-night television in the 2000s, during which TV Guide dubbed it among the top ten cult classic television programs. Reubens revived his stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show in 2010, performing in Los Angeles and Broadway. He co-wrote and starred as Pee-wee in the Netflix original film Pee-wee's Big Holiday in 2016.
Reubens died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on July 30th 2023 following a six year battle with cancer, which had been undisclosed to the public. His death provoked an outpouring of remembrances from a diverse range of friends and collaborators, including Mark Mothersbaugh and The Residents. He had recently contributed to the Residents book series A Sight For Sore Eyes.[1]
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- ↑ "We’re absolutely crushed. Paul was such a massive talent, and kind enough to participate in our book series on The Residents. We’re really going to miss you, Pee-wee." Melodic Virtue, posted to their official Facebook page, July 31st 2023