Actor Paul Reubens, known for his beloved character Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70. Celebrities are grieving the loss of this iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. The official Pee-wee Herman Instagram account released a statement on Monday, July 31, expressing their farewell to Paul Reubens. The statement praised him for his positivity, whimsy, and belief in the importance of kindness, thanking him for bringing joy to generations of children and adults. It also acknowledged Paul's private battle with cancer, which he faced with tenacity and wit. Recognized as a gifted and prolific talent, Paul Reubens will forever be remembered in the comedy pantheon and in the hearts of those who cherished his remarkable character and generous spirit.
Reubens wrote a heartfelt letter to his fans, apologizing for keeping his struggles private for the past six years. He expressed his immense love and respect for his friends, fans, and supporters, and mentioned his joy in creating art for them. Notably, celebrities like Sara Gilbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jennifer Tilly joined in on social media, reminiscing about their favorite moments with Reubens. Tilly paid her respects with a touching tribute, tweeting, "Rest in peace Paul Reubens, you never failed to bring laughter to my life."
Scroll down to read heartfelt tributes about the late star:
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Pee-wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens Dead at 70: Cher, Judd Apatow and More Stars React
Actor Paul Reubens, known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman, has passed away at the age of 70. Celebrities are mourning his loss and paying tribute to his talent and positive impact. In a statement from the official Pee-wee Herman Instagram account, it was mentioned that Paul fought bravely and privately against cancer for years, demonstrating his trademark tenacity and wit. He will be remembered as a gifted comedian and a friend with remarkable character and generosity of spirit.
In addition to the social media post, a heartfelt letter was shared by Reubens expressing his apologies for not publicly sharing the challenges he has faced over the past six years. He expressed immense gratitude for the love, respect, and support he has received from his friends, fans, and supporters, emphasizing how much he cherishes them and enjoys creating art for them.
Notable celebrities such as Sara Gilbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jennifer Tilly also joined in paying tribute to Reubens on social media by sharing their beloved memories of him. Tilly dedicated a touching tweet to her dear late friend, remembering how he never failed to bring laughter into her life.
Scroll down to read heartfelt tributes about the late star:
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Cher
The singer quoted William Shakespeare's Hamlet in her tribute, tweeting, "Goodbye Paul. Goodnight sweet prince. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
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Conan O'Brien
The TV host penned an emotional message about Reubens' passing.
Paul Reubens was an extraordinary individual, whose enchanting charm, selflessness, creativity, and playful antics cannot be encapsulated in a mere tweet. Every single person I know had the pleasure of receiving numerous bewildering memes from Paul on their special day, and I mean absolutely everyone without exception. His absurd sense of humor and unwavering benevolence were a priceless treasure that he bestowed upon all of us. It's truly devastating to comprehend the magnitude of this loss.
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Paul Feig
The film director tweeted about Reubens' legacy, expressing devastation and heartbreak. They praised Reubens for his comedic brilliance and originality, highlighting his appearances on Letterman, TV shows, and movies. The director also mentioned Reubens' sweet personality. They acknowledged his passing as a significant loss for comedy and thanked him for all the laughs.
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Jimmy Kimmel
According to a tweet from Kimmel, Paul Reubens was a rare and extraordinary comedian who brought joy and laughter to both children and adults. He had a remarkable talent for making people laugh and never failed to remember important occasions like birthdays. His genuine enthusiasm for silliness was infectious and he touched the lives of everyone he encountered. The absence of Paul Reubens will be deeply felt by my family and me.
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D'Arcy Carden
The Good Place alum left hearts in the comments section of Reubens' death announcement.
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Sara Gilbert
"Paul, you possessed the kindest and most generous spirit. Every birthday I celebrate from now on will always evoke memories of the photos and videos you used to send throughout the day. You had a unique way of making me feel incredibly loved and cherished. I aspire to be at least half the friend you were. Your absence is deeply felt. I will love you eternally, peewee," expressed Gilbert through Instagram.
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Kate Flannery
The Office alum wrote via Instagram that Reubens will "live in our hearts forever!"
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Judd Apatow
Apatow expressed profound sorrow upon receiving the heartbreaking news. Collaborating with Paul on Pee Wee's Big Holiday allowed us the privilege of witnessing his brilliance and compassion firsthand. The immense joy he brought to the world is indescribable. The sheer magnitude of laughter I experienced while watching him perform live is unparalleled. Paul's presence cannot be replaced. ️
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Dita Von Teese
Von Teese expressed her deep sorrow upon hearing the devastating news, sharing in the comments, "My heart is shattered. The memories of his birthday videos and our adventures to Super Walgreens will be greatly missed. He truly was an extraordinary individual."
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Ricki Lake
"I am completely devastated. Paul and I were friends for decades. It is hard to comprehend. Few things brought me more joy than sharing a meal with Paul. May you rest in peace, my dear friend. ️," Lake expressed on Instagram.