By Mark Gray
8:14pm PDT, Oct 3, 2023
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Paul Reubens — the actor who famously played the iconic Pee-wee Herman character on TV and in movies — passed away on July 30 after a secret six-year-long cancer battle. He was 70.
"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 an announcement from his family. "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. 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."
On Sept. 8, People magazine reported that Paul's death certificate had been released, revealing that he had both myelogenous leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, as well as metastatic lung cancer. His immediate cause of death was acute hypoxic respiratory failure — not enough oxygen in the blood.
Following his passing, many celebrities paid tribute to Paul on social media…
Keep reading to see how the comedian is being remembered by his peers…
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"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." –Conan O'Brien
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"Paul was great. Really gonna miss him. Paul really gonna miss u First person to send me Xmas card bday card valentines card new yrs card every single year thank u for all the laughs my friend" –Norman Reedus
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"Shocked and saddened. I'll never forget how Paul helped me at the beginning of my career. It would not have happened without his support. He was a great artist. I'll miss him" –Tim Burton
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"The great Paul Reubens has moved on to a better place. Creator of the genius character Pee Wee Herman, and an actor and comedian of incredible talent, Paul was a good friend to me and reached out any time he felt I was in need. A generous soul who never forgot a birthday or christmas card for those he loved. He had incredible taste in music and was very funny in everyday life. I first got to witness his gift while filming a video for the Raconteurs together, and we became friends instantly. I was just thinking about you last night Paul, peace be with you." -Jack White III.
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"My dad always told me that his favorite thing I've ever done in @WWE was my promo with Pee Wee Herman. Yes, you heard that correctly…. NOT winning the WWE title, NOT main eventing WrestleMania, it was a verbal exchange between me and the Pee. And to this day it is one of my personal favorites. As a kid I was a huge fan. I saw all the movies, TV shows, I had the Pee Wee Herman PJ onesie that I wore to sleep every night. I became a bigger fan when I met Paul. One of the sweetest people I've ever met. Every birthday I would get dozens of funny birthday memes that would make me smile. My birthday is in a couple months and I will truly miss those texts. Thank you for always making me laugh. You will be missed, Paul Reubens. RIP." –Mike "The Miz" Mizanin
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"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 every experienced was watching him perform live. He is irreplaceable." –Judd Apatow
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"What a dear, sweet man. He was always so lovely to me and my family, and we're all so enormously sad today. The world lost an icon, and I lost an old friend. We love you, Paul." —"Weird Al" Yankovic
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"I really loved working with him. Very sad." –Danny DeVito
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"Dearest Paul, no birthday will be the same. Even if it was a quiet one, it wasn't quiet from you…
Memes…
Heartfelt messages…
We'll still laugh" —Garrett Hedlund
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"I don't think there was a fictional character who meant more to me as a kid than Pee Wee. Or as an adult for that matter. Just a huge inspiration to me, especially for Billy on the Street. I didn't know him personally but I just LOVED him and the world he created so much from afar. It's strange because I'm in the middle of a project about my childhood and my influences and I keep coming back to Pee Wee over and over again. He was a liberating force for a lot of kids, especially me. And a truly subversive, delightful original who comforted me as much as he blew open my imagination and my creativity. In a culture and an industry almost always dominated by 'existing IP' we were so lucky to have him. Pee Wee will always occupy a special place in my mind and in my heart and will always be an inspiration. Thank you, Pee Wee. Pee Wee Forever. I'm going to rewatch the Christmas special tonight. Highly recommended." –Billy Eichner
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"A loner. A rebel. A genius. RIP Paul Reubens." —Patton Oswalt
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"This man was kinder, funnier and more thoughtful than most. #RIP Paul Reubens" —Kelly Ripa
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"No no no . Oh heart break" –Marisa Tomei
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"The greatest. No one ever like him ever." —Andy Cohen
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"PeeWee's Big Adventure is my all time favorite movie, ever – Paul Reubens was an absolute genius who left an indelible imprint on my childhood with his show PeeWee's Playhouse. He was an icon and beloved child's entertainer for my generation . I am grateful for his life's work." –Meghan McCain
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"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." –Natasha Lyonne
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"LOVE u forever P.W. Paul creative genius & friend who never, in over 40 years, failed to send a hilarious message on a birthday, holiday or special event. What a wonderful human & incredible talent. 'A loner … A rebel.' One of a kind. Today's word is — heartbroken." –Daryl Hannah
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"I love you Paul. You were the best friend a boy could ever wish for!" –David Arquette
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"Paul Reubens, known and beloved as Pee Wee Herman, has died. A completely original actor and friend; I mourn his loss. This is so hard to believe." –Bette Midler
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"This is devastating. Truly heartbreaking. Paul was such a comedy genius. From his Letterman appearances to his TV shows and movies, he was so original and hilarious. And such a sweet man too. This is a huge loss for comedy. Thanks for all the laughs, Paul." —Paul Feig
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"A very heavy heart right now, I'm trying to process this, but just can't. My heart hurts too much. I love you my dear friend of a lifetime." –Kristy Swanson
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"Paul Reubens was a great friend. He gave me the muppets for my birthday and never forgot anyone's birthday from our class. He was in my class at CalArts and we had the same business manager. He was always kind to me and to everyone. He will be missed." –David Hasselhoff
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"My first rebellion was hearing the grown ups talk s*** about PeeWee and deciding that I liked him anyway. Who cares what grown ups think! True legend. He understood us and set a tone that would later give us Pete&Pete and Eerie Indiana and all the weird bands of the late 90s." –Hilarie Burton Morgan
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"RIP Paul. Tell Allee we all say hi" –Mark Cuban
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"My circle of friends know I cherished my special relationship with the late great Paul Reubens. I can't even recall how we first met, it immediately seemed we knew each other when his mischievous eyes ensnared my inner nerd. I loved his ability to speak with curiosity and wit on every topic. I don't recall a moment of our conversations being chitchat. Instead, he went deep, asking and answering thoughtful questions. My birthday was celebrated by him with cakes emblazoned with my name, and I once facetimed him from upon my Peloton just to see his laugh. I will miss you, your wonderfully zany Christmas greetings and your warmth, my dear sweet Paul. 'Everyone I know has a big butt.' Pee-wee Herman" –Nia Vardalos
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"paul – you were the kindest and most generous of spirit. i will never have another birthday without thinking of the pictures and videos you would send all day. you always made me feel so loved and special. i hope to be half the friend you were. you are missed. love you forever, peewee." –Sara Gilbert
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"IM SO SAD 2DAY 2 LEARN THAT MY DEAR LIFELONG FRIEND #PAULREUBENS AKA @peeweeherman HAS PASSED AWAY FROM CANCER! WE JUST SPENT MY BDAY TEXTING EACH OTHER BACK N FORTH ALL DAY! HE NEVER INDICATED HE WAS EVEN SICK! A GENIUS, GROUNDBREAKING COMEDIAN…" —Corey Feldman
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"'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.'- Paul Reubens We loved you right back, Paul… & can't thank you enough for the lifetime of laughter!" –Mark Hamill
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"Rip Paul Reubens. You always made me laugh." —Jennifer Tilly
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"I. Am. devastated. Paul was my friend for decades. I can't believe it. Almost nothing was more enjoyable than a meal with Paul. Rest in peace, my sweet friend." –Ricki Lake
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"WOOWWW,,, RIP Paul Reubens who created Pee Wee Herman" —Flavor Flav
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"Paul Ruebens would send 20 funny gifs to me on my birthday. I know I was just one of the many people he made feel special on their birthday. I'm thankful I was one of them. This was his last bday message to me. I'll keep it forever. Rest In Peace Paul. You were 1/1" –Eric Stonestreet wrote alongside the video
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"This is just absolutely crushing. I loved Paul, a.k.a. Pee-wee Herman so much. My brother, mother and I have known him for decades. He always brightened my day with messages of support and love and laughter. I completely respect his decision to keep this cancer private. It just breaks my heart not to be able to say goodbye. I love you, Paul what an awesome life. Thank you for Everything!! You were a GIANT" –Holly Robinson Peete
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"I am devastated to hear of the passing of my friend, Paul Reubens!! He kept canceling lunch and offers to get together, but I had no idea he was suffering so much. My love and white light to him and his family #rippaulreubens #rippeewee #rippeeweeherman" –Morgan Fairchild
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"Oh Pee Wee…without you there wouldn't have been a Good Eats. Thank you." –Alton Brown
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"Every year, my friend Paul would bombard me with texts, emails & occasionally videos wishing me a 'Happy Birthday.' His Christmas cards were legendary. I grew up a fan of Pee Wee. I was lucky to become friends with Paul Reubens. May the laughter he gave us all live on forever." —WWE commentator Corey Graves
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"Heart is broken. I'll miss the birthday videos and our trips to Super Walgreens. What a wonderful man he was." –Dita Von Teese
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"I'm really going to miss all of the texts that Paul would send throughout the day to wish me a happy birthday…it was usually someone getting a pie in the face. He asked for donations to go to @SU2C & dementia or Alzheimer related orgs. Give what you can. Rest in paradise." –Wanda Sykes
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"Paul Reubens was one of the most unique and uniquely gifted people I have known. My times in his company were a delight. Stories, ideas, opinions, life experience – so much to share. He brought joy. Your talents were many&wonderful. And Pee Wee was a delight. #RIP PaulReubens" –Jason Alexander
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"Godspeed #paulreubens RIP" —Belinda Carlisle
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"Just heard that Paul Reubens died. He brought me so much joy, and getting to know him was a gift. Truly one of my heroes. @peeweeherman" –Any Richter
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"@peeweeherman was a genius his children's show was a subversive revelation, he was light years ahead of the curve in very interesting creative times. & those times are distinctly gone forever" –Sandra Bernhard
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"Devastated to learn of the passing of my friend Paul Reubens. He was a incredibly humorous, kind & generous soul who was modest about his remarkable talent. I will cherish our friendship forever. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends. Rest In Peace, Paul" —Cary Elwes
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"Look at us! This is the day we met. I don't even remember the year. I was so starstruck I could barely stand it. #paulreubens #rippeewee," Kathy Griffin captioned an incredible vintage photo of herself and Paul Reubens together when they were young. She also took to Instagram to post a delightly personal video Paul sent her, captioning it "This is who Paul Reubens was."
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"Paul sent everyone he knew multiple birthday gifs all through out their special day. Mine was Just a few weeks ago. July 14. I got a bunch via email too. Goodbye sweet, friend." —Jane Lynch
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"Aw man… Pee-wee Herman has ridden off to heaven. RIP Paul Reubens. Thank you for giving us Pee-wee. You made yours truly a fan and you were one of the nice guys. #BePeace" –Carl Weathers
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"Every birthday. Every Christmas. Cards. Gifs. Emails. Laughs. Supplied by Paul Reubens. He was a very, very special human being. Who brought untold joy to millions. For decades. Thank you friend. I'll miss you." –Adam Copeland, Aka WWE's "Edge"
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"Paulie thank you for the years of inside jokes – for bringing the intrigue and delight to every moment we shared.
You inspired millions with your art , opened everyone's eyes to the magic you found in everything. Well done brilliant one.. rest well now
Grateful
grateful." —Beverly D'Angelo
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"One of the patron saints of all misfitted, weird, maladjusted, wonderful, miraculous oddities." –Guillermo del Toro
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"And with him, a giant piece of my childhood. #RIP #paulreubens" -Josh Gad
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"Hands shaking. Paul…. My heart is broken into a billion pieces. Then I looked at the text you sent me last week: a meme of a person in giant hair getting a pie in the face and I burst out laughing. Laughing and crying. This my friend says everything about you and what you gave the world. I'm going to miss you pal. I hope you know how much I loved you. I think you did. Rest finally in peace in the biggest of all playhouses. #rip @peeweeherman my sweet #paulreubens" —Adam Shankman
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"We absolutely loved Paul Reubens! Whether he was delighting audiences as the iconic Pee-wee Herman or being given the 'Honorary Muppet Award' in Muppet Magazine in 1987, he brought a burst of joy, creativity, and laughter everywhere he went." –The Muppets
