The US actor Paul Reubens, who became famous for his role as “Pee-wee Herman”, is dead. Reubens died of cancer at the age of 70, US media reported on Monday, citing a statement from his management . “He was a gifted and prolific talent and will forever live in the Comedy Hall of Fame and in our hearts as a valued friend and man of remarkable character and generous spirit.”
Management also shared a message to his fans written by Reubens before his death, in which he apologizes for not making public the cancer he has been battling for six years. “I’ve always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I loved you all very much and enjoyed making art for you.”
Born in New York State in 1952, Reubens grew up in Florida and had played theater as a child. He later moved to Hollywood and got his first roles in films and television in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he invented the quirky, comical character of Pee-wee Herman, with whom he enjoyed decades of success in theater and film, among other places. Reubens received numerous awards for his work.
In the early 1990s, Reubens was arrested for immoral behavior in a cinema and then took a long break from performing. In the early 2000s, the actor was charged with possession of child pornography. Reubens then pleaded guilty to a lesser “obscenity” charge, which carries a $100 fine and three years’ probation. The charges related to nude photos of children found during a 2001 search of Reuben’s Hollywood mansion. Reubens and his attorney had portrayed the footage as “erotic art” and “kitsch souvenirs.”
