Man, this is some sad news I did not expect at all.
Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-Wee Herman, has passed at the age of 70.
Reubens was a member of The Groundlings and became part of the class of breakout stars of his era, alongside Cassandra Peterson and others.
Reubens created the unique and beloved character of Pee-Wee Herman, a persona who wound up in TV specials, movies, and the excellent Pee-Wee's Playhouse - one of the best things ever on Saturday mornings. He's responsible for Tim Burton's early big screen success, and co-starred with everyone from Laurence Fishburne to Lynn-Marie Stewart and John Paragon on the Saturday morning show.
Pee-Wee's run was cut short in the 1990's, but he returned in the age of social media, releasing a final movie, Pee-Wee's Big Holiday, that was as funny as anything he'd done, and maybe freer?
What has surprised me most about Pee-Wee over the years has been that the movies, specials, etc.. get *funnier*. My first viewing of Pee-Wee Herman content was in elementary school, and every time I watch one of his movies or review clips of any of his work, it doesn't just hold up, it shines a little brighter.
Reubens also appeared in numerous other projects, playing a wide range of characters. He's great in Mystery Men, 1991's Blow, and he got the biggest laugh of the movie from me in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
On social media, he was very plugged into the same sort of cheerful "look at this weirdo thing" stuff I tend to want to forward to Jamie, all of it in fun. Lots of retro, lots of outlandish goofiness. The kind of stuff that would look at home beside Mr. T cereal and pterodactyl puppets.
We'll miss Paul Reubens, and we'll miss Pee-Wee Herman. Taken way too soon.
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