Reubens, an actor best known for portraying Pee-wee Herman, died on 30 July at the age of 70 after a private battle with cancer, as announced via an Instagram post shared the day after 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," the post read. "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit."
The post also included a posthumous statement from Reubens himself. "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," he 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."
Reubens launched "The Pee-wee Herman Show" in the 1980s. He collaborated with Tim Burton on "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" in 1985, and also played the character onn"Pee-wee's Playhouse." In 1991, however, his career stalled after he was arrested for indecent exposure at a cinema in Florida, as per Variety. He returnead to his infamous Pee-wee character with "The Pee-wee Herman Show" on Broadway in 2010.