Jimmy Kimmel, Cher, Danny DeVito and more are paying tribute to the comedian, who died of cancer on Sunday
Family, friends and fans are remembering Paul Reubens, who died of cancer on Sunday and was best known for his character Pee-wee Herman.
Reubens’ rep confirmed his death in a statement to PEOPLE on Monday: “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 the statement.
“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit,” the statement continued. “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.”
Paul Reubens, Best Known as Pee-wee Herman, Dead at 70 After Years with Cancer: ‘A Treasured Friend’
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Photo Courtesy of Art Streiber / August @aspictures8BIM
Jimmy Kimmel called him a “brilliant and original comedian,” and Danny DeVito — who played Reubens’ son, Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot in 1992’s Batman Returns — told PEOPLE he “really loved working with him. Very sad.”
Tim Burton, who directed 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, remembered the late star in a social media tribute.
“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,” he wrote alongside a throwback photo of the pair.
EG Daily, who played Dottie in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, also paid tribute to Reubens on Instagram, writing, “Paul, the Pee Wee to my Dottie. I am so grateful for getting to do this amazing ride with you. Thoughtful, brilliant, kind and loved.”
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Pee-wee’s Playhouse alum Natasha Lyonne shared a series of photos of Reubens with the caption: “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.”
Laraine Newman recalled meeting Reubens while studying at California Institute of the Arts in 1973, she wrote the pair “remained friends for the next 50 years. Not day to day. Just the kind of friend that you can text out of nowhere or have a 3 hour lunch with. And don’t get me started on the birthday texts-he sent them ALL DAY. I feel sick.”
Following news of his death, Eric Stonestreet revealed he was also one of the “one of the many people Paul would send multiple birthday wishes to every year” in an Instagram tribute that included a clip of Reubens’ message.
“I’m just so thankful I was one of them,” he added. “This is part of one he sent me that I’ll treasure forever. He was a national treasure and a true 1/1. Rest In Peace Paul. ❤️❤️”
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Ricki Lake shared that she was “shaking with disbelief and unbearable sadness” after learning of Reubens’ death.
“I am choosing to share this personal video my friend, of almost 3 decades made for my birthday,” she wrote alongside a birthday message from the late actor. “Paul Reubens was one of my absolute favorites. Such a unique and incredible creator and talent but also a gracious, loyal and absolutely hilarious friend.”
She added, “The world will not be the same without him. Rest in peace, dear Paul. ♥️ 😩😩😩😩”
Garrett Hedlund penned a sweet tribute to Reubens on Instagram, writing, “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 🙏 ❤️”
Kathy Griffin also remembered receiving “hilarious gifs every year on my birthday” from Reubens in her own tribute post, which featured a GIF from one of his messages.
“I did not know he was ill. The last time we spoke, I invited him to one of my dinner salons and he expressed that he did not want to come because he was worried about Covid,” she wrote. “He came to my house after my Trump photo scandal and spend time with me calming me down.”
“He and I shared a love for old timey celebrities and movie stars. We could chat for hours,” she continued. “He is the reason I joined the Groundlings. He was a complicated and gentle man. Almost too brilliant for one person. A true artist.”
“The work always came first. Offstage he was funny and thoughtful. A true introvert, but always loved playing peewee. Oh, God, I could go on and on. The talks we had. He had that thing where you feel special just having a conversation with him. He was so bright. He will be soooo missed. I know you guys get it. #RIPPeewee #RIPPaulReubens.”
Joe Manganiello Posts Touching Tribute for ‘Brilliant’ Paul Reubens: ‘Best Friends Forever’
Joe Manganiello mourned the loss of his Pee-wee’s Big Holiday costar on Instagram, writing, “Man… this is tough. It’s so hard to say goodbye when you know you’ll never see someone again who meant so much to you. Someone who believed in you, and fought for you, and saw things in you that most people didn’t. Everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like that. Well, I did, and today I have to say goodbye.”
“Today the world lost one of the greatest comedic geniuses of all time,” he continued. “Paul was subversive, brilliant, witty, and had the biggest heart on the planet… anyone on his Birthday mailing list will know what I mean… He was a visionary who was so far ahead of his time and had one of the scariest eyes for talent I’ve ever seen.”
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Joe Manganiello/ Instagram
Manganiello added that Reubens was “responsible for breaking so many incredible actors (see everyone in Pee Wee’s Playhouse), directors (Tim Burton), and composers (Danny Elfman). He was an artist and a weirdo who fought for other artists and weirdos and the world was a much better place because it had him in it.”
“He was one of the most recognizable faces in the world, an icon, but yet he was still somehow this lovable underdog. I’m just so glad that I got to be a part of his life and ultimately his comeback. I saw how tirelessly he showed up for people and his work with such joy, I feel lucky that I could always be there for him when he needed me… best friends forever. RIP”
Director Judd Apatow, who directed Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, also responded to the news, calling it “devastating.”
“This is devastating news,” Apatow wrote on Instagram. “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. ❤️”
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New York Times writer Dave Itzkoff recalled spending time with him before he launched a Pee-wee Broadway show, back in 2010. Itzkoff said Reubens thought it was both “so weird and so great” how fans greeted him by using their “Pee-wee Herman” voice.
Amy Sedaris called Reubens’ death “heartbreaking” after the news broke, adding, “I just can’t believe it. He was so nice to me. I was such a fan of his. Awwwwwwwwww very very sad.”
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Bridesmaids director Paul Feig called him a “comedy genius.”
Former Conan O’Brien sidekick Andy Richter posted that Reubens “brought me so much joy, and getting to know him was a gift. Truly one of my heroes.”
Cher, who portrayed herself in a 1988 Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special also weighed in on Twitter, saying “Goodnight Paul.”
Paul Reubens and His Pee-wee Herman Character to Be Subject of Two-Part HBO Documentary
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D Dipasupil/FilmMagic
In a statement to PEOPLE, improv and sketch comedy theatre The Groundlings paid tribute to the late star, writing, “We were deeply saddened to hear of Paul Reubens passing today. As an iconic member of The Groundlings in the 1970-80s, Paul created his infamous character of Peewee Herman here, which became a cultural phenomenon that spanned decades.”
The statement continued: “Paul’s contributions to comedy and entertainment have left a lasting impact on the world, and he will be greatly missed by all in the Groundlings community. We love you, Paul.”
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Reubens, who was 70 at the time of his death, left a statement on his Instagram to his fans about choosing to face cancer privately.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the past six years,” Reubens wrote. “I have always felt a huge amount of love from my friends, fans, and supporters. I have loved you all so much and loved making art for you.”
He also asked that any expressions of sympathy be made in his late parents names, Judy and Milton Rubenfeld, to either Stand Up 2 Cancer or organizations involved in dementia or Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
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