“Heard any good jokes lately?” he said to the crowd. In the aftermath of the arrest, he did receive support from his fans and other celebrities, and appeared at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, receiving a standing ovation. At the center of a national sex scandal, Reubens backed away from Pee-wee and began doing press as himself. Reubens had already decided to end “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” when his image as a beloved childhood hero was tarnished in 1991, after he was arrested for indecent exposure at an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Fla. Influenced by vintage kids’ shows like “Captain Kangaroo,” the artistically groundbreaking “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” won several Emmys and featured colorful postmodernist set design and music from New Wave icons like Mark Mothersbaugh, Cyndi Lauper and the Residents, along with guest stars including Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne and Jimmy Smits. The character transitioned to television from 1986 to 1990, on CBS’ weekend morning show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” Reubens returned three years later for a follow-up film, “Big Top Pee-wee,” helmed by Randal Kleiser.
In 1985, he teamed with Tim Burton on “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” the character’s feature film debut, which was a critical and commercial success. Reubens also committed to the character in his interviews and public appearances. As Pee-wee became a cult figure, Reubens’ show ran for five sold-out months, and he landed a special at HBO. In 1980, he launched “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a stage production centered on a fictional character he had been developing for years. 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.”īorn in New York but raised in Sarasota, Fla., Reubens began his career in the 1970s after joining the Los Angeles live comedy troupe the Groundlings as an improvisational comedian and stage actor. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. “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,” wrote Reubens’ estate in the caption.
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