LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The entertainment world bids farewell to Paul Reubens who died on Sunday, July 30 at the age of 70. Friends and fans mourned the loss of the 'Pee-wee Herman' star who died after a long battle with cancer, according to People. A statement on Reubens' official Instagram account announced his death.
"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 on Monday, July 31. "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," it added.
Fans used to greet Reubens with his 'Pee-wee Herman' voice
Calling him a "brilliant and original comedian", Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to the late actor. "Paul Reubens was like no one else - a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time. He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him," tweeted Kimmel.
Dave Itzkoff, the New York Times writer recalled his time spend with Reubens in 2010 before the launch of the Pee-wee Broadway show. "I spent time in 2010 with Paul Reubens as he prepped a Pee-wee Herman B'way show. Walking in NYC, he was taken by how vocally fans greeted him. He said it was 'so weird and so great at the same time. It was odd and it was fantastic. Both rolled into one' ", he wrote.
Judd Apatow, director of the 2016 movie Pee-wee's 'Big Holiday' also paid an emotional tribute to Reubens. "This is devastating news. 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 ever experienced was watching him perform live. He is irreplaceable," he wrote on Instagram.
Reubens' left a note for his fans to be shared after his death
Reubens who had cancer left a statement on his social media to be shared with his fans after his death. "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the past six years. 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," Reubens wrote.
In the post, Reubens also asked that "any expressions of sympathy be made in his late parent's names, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to either Stand Up 2 Cancer or organizations involved in dementia or Alzheimer's care, support, and research."
