Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dead at 70: Celebs react
Several celebrities – including Jimmy Kimmel, Natasha Lyonne and Judd Apatow – took to social media to mourn the loss of Paul Reubens following his death at the age of 70 on Sunday.
The official Instagram page for Reubens’ famed Pee-wee Herman character announced the news Monday that he died after “bravely and privately” fighting cancer.
“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,” Jimmy Kimmel tweeted on Monday.
“This is devastating. Truly heartbreaking. Paul was such a comedy genius. From his [David] Letterman appearances to his TV shows and movies, he was so original and hilarious. And such a sweet man too,” Paul Feig tweeted.
The “Bridesmaids” director added that Reubens’ death is a “huge loss for comedy” before thanking him for “all the laughs.”
“Love you so much, Paul. One in all time. Thank you for my career & your forever friendship all these years & for teaching us what a true original is.❤️❤️💔#PaulReubens #PeeWeeHerman,” Natasha Lyonne tweeted.
Judd Apatow – who produced “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” in 2016 – also commented on the “devastating news” under the Instagram announcement.
“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 every experienced was watching him perform live. He is irreplaceable. ❤️,” Apatow wrote.
Conan O’Brien candidly wrote about Reubens’ “unrelenting kindness.”
“No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens. Everyone I know received countless nonsensical memes from Paul on their birthday, and I mean EVERYONE. His surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all. Damn, this hurts,” O’Brien tweeted.
Singer Cher chimed in by tweeting a quote from the William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.”
“Goodbye Paul Goodnight sweet prince May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest,” she tweeted.
Kathy Griffin posted an emotional tribute to the “bright,” “thoughtful” and “funny” comedian who she could “chat for hours” with.
“The great Paul Reubens would send me hilarious gifs every year on my birthday. This is a still shot from one of them. You get the idea. I did not know he was ill,” she wrote in her lengthy caption.
Rosanna Arquette – whose brother is David Arquette – commented under Griffin’s post, “He was part of our family. We are devastated David was one of his closest friends. And he always showed up for us. He was a beautiful human being.”
“The greatest. No one ever like him ever,” Andy Cohen commented.
“Paul was great. Really gonna miss him,” “Walking Dead” actor Norman Reedus commented under the post.
“RIP Paul. Tell Allee we all say hi,” businessman Mark Cuban wrote, seemingly referring to songwriter Allee Willis who died in 2019.
The “Wrestler” actress Marisa Tomei commented, “No no no . Oh heart break [sic].”
“Grateful for Paul’s giant heart and the joy he brought so many people. Heartbreaking news. Loved him ❤️❤️,” Bridget Everett wrote.
Sandra Bernhard, who acted in a 1990 episode of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” posted several tributes to the “true genius.”
“The brilliant subversive children’s show created by @peeweeherman broke all the rules he called me a couple of years ago & it surprised me we spoke for quite awhile. There was a lot on his plate back in the day, all that success, high expectations, tremendous fame, I think it does a number on a person. It’s hard to distill, & it all goes by so very fast,” she captioned a video from an old episode.
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“Schitt’s Creek” actress Emily Hampshire also shared an Instagram tribute where she wrote in part, “The world has lost the funnest fun of all fun humans today. 😢 RIP.”
Reubens apologized to his fans in his posthumous statement for keeping quiet about his lengthy cancer battle.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens wrote. “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,” he concluded.
Reubens rose to fame on the “Pee-wee Herman Show” beginning in 1982, and he later went on to star in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” “Big Top Pee-Wee” and “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
