actors & performers
Pee-wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Passes Away at 70 from Cancer
Remembering Paul Reubens: The beloved Pee-wee Herman actor, known for his infectious laughter and creativity, passes at 70. #PaulReubens #PeeWeeHerman #Legacy
Last Updated on September 6, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Beloved actor and comedian Paul Reubens, creator of the unforgettable Pee-wee Herman, died on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70, after a years-long, private battle with acute myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer. The immediate cause was acute hypoxic respiratory failure .
In a heartfelt posthumous statement, Reubens wrote:
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years. 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.”
2025 saw the release of the emotional, two-part HBO Max documentary Pee-wee as Himself, directed by Matt Wolf. Reubens participated in over 40 hours of candid interviews, crafted a voice message recorded on July 29, 2023—the day before he passed—and shared intimate truths he had long kept hidden .
In the series, he publicly came out as gay, revealing how his earlier relationship with a man named Guy inspired aspects of Pee-wee, and how he later concealed his sexuality to safeguard his career . He also courageously addressed past controversies: his 1991 indecent exposure arrest and a 2002 obscenity case, firmly denying false allegations and lamenting how severely those mislabels hurt him .
Paul Reubens’s alter ego Pee-wee Herman became a cultural touchstone—quirky, nonsensical, and wonderfully rebellious. From The Pee-wee Herman Show in 1981 to Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986–1990)—a show that revolutionized children’s programming and earned multiple Emmys—and on to beloved films like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Big Top Pee-wee, and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, Reubens made a remarkable and lasting mark on entertainment .
Beyond Pee-wee, his talents spanned the big and small screen. He appeared in Batman Returns, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mystery Men, Blow, and graced TV series including 30 Rock, Gotham, and What We Do in the Shadows .
Paul Reubens leaves behind a legacy defined by creativity, resilience, and the power of embracing one’s true self. His whimsical spirit, generosity of heart, and the boundary-breaking charm of Pee-wee Herman continue to inspire generations. Rest in peace, Paul Reubens—thank you for the laughter, the honesty, and the extraordinary character you brought into our lives.
🔗 Related Links
The Docuseries Pee-wee as Himself Reveals Paul Reubens’ Life Before the Closet
Paul Reubens Cause of Death Confirmed – Entertainment Weekly
Paul Reubens’ Final Interview Before His Death – New York Post
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