Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman Actor, Dead at 70
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Pee wee Herman,Pee-wee Herman,Paul Reubens,Jimmy Kimmel,Dane Cook,Danny DeVito,Paul Feig,RIP,Death,Passing,Actor,Comedian
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00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - I grabbed you up!
00:07 - Paul Rubens, perhaps best known as his alter ego,
00:11 Pee Wee Herman, has died following a six year battle
00:14 with cancer he never spoke about.
00:17 Paul was 70 years old.
00:19 - I always say really that the only reason
00:24 for being in show business is to impress the people
00:26 that you went to school with, you know?
00:28 So that's pretty exciting.
00:31 - The actor's Instagram account confirmed the news
00:33 on Monday, revealing in the caption,
00:36 last night we said farewell to Paul Rubens.
00:39 After he bravely and privately fought cancer for years
00:43 with his trademark tenacity and wit.
00:45 - These are exact replicas.
00:49 - Paul got his start at the famed improv theater,
00:52 The Groundlings in Los Angeles.
00:54 - You can do all kinds of stuff at The Groundlings.
00:56 They taught me how to improvise and you know,
00:58 about writing and comedy and it's a place
01:01 where you can test out the material.
01:02 - His one of a kind comedic voice landed him a TV series
01:06 surrounding the character he crafted on stage.
01:09 - It's a stampede!
01:11 - Howdy cowboy Chris!
01:12 - Howdy Pee Wee!
01:13 - They have Sesame Street and all the educational shows.
01:17 I just tried to fill a niche that wasn't filled.
01:20 - Pee Wee's popularity led him to the big screen.
01:23 Starting with the cult classic, Pee Wee's Big Adventure,
01:27 helmed by a then unknown Tim Burton.
01:29 - Then you're crazy!
01:31 - I know you are, but what am I?
01:32 - You're a nerd!
01:33 - I know you are, but what am I?
01:35 - The director reunited with Paul for Batman Returns.
01:38 (dramatic music)
01:41 The dramatic role was the first of a few deviations
01:48 from comedy across his decades spanning career.
01:52 - I bring you in, this is how you pay me back?
01:53 - Hey, look George, it's nothing personal.
01:56 - But among his career highs,
01:58 the lows in his personal life made headlines.
02:01 In 1991, Paul was arrested for exposing himself
02:05 in a movie theater.
02:06 He later pleaded no contest and for a time,
02:09 retreated from the public eye.
02:11 (crowd shouting)
02:13 After a few supporting roles over the years,
02:16 Rubens made a comeback thanks to his signature persona,
02:20 this time on Broadway.
02:22 ♪ Pee-wee, play the bats and get some pee ♪
02:25 - It feels fantastic, I have to say.
02:27 I feel so lucky and blessed, it's just incredible.
02:30 - The Broadway show's success inspired
02:32 another feature film in 2016, Pee-wee's Big Holiday.
02:37 - Aren't we going to your party?
02:39 - Pee-wee, we are at the party.
02:42 - Paul leaves behind an enormous legacy
02:44 as well as one final message to his fans
02:47 in the wake of his death.
02:48 Please accept my apology for not going public
02:51 with what I've been facing the last six years.
02:53 I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect
02:57 from my friends, fans, and supporters.
02:59 I have loved you all so much
03:01 and enjoyed making art for you.
03:03 - You don't want to get mixed up with a guy like me.
03:06 I'm a loner, daddy, a rebel.
03:10 (dramatic music)
03:12 (chimes)
03:15 (chimes)
03:17 [BELL RINGING]