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Paul Reubens, the actor who famously played the iconic Pee-Wee Herman character on TV and in movies, has passed away after a secret years-long battle with cancer. He was 70. The actor’s family announced the news on July 31. “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,” the announcement said. “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.” In the announcement, the family posted an apology letter Paul wrote to addressed his six-year cancer battle. “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he wrote. “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.”
Following the death, many top-line names in entertainment took to social media to publicly pay homage to the great Paul Reubens. Click through to see how he’s being remembered.
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“Paul Reubens was like no one else – a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time. He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.” —Jimmy Kimmel
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“I really loved working with him. Very sad.” –Danny DeVito
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“Goodbye Paul Goodnight sweet prince May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Hamlet William Shakespeare” –Cher
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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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“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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“Paul was great. Really gonna miss him. mPaul 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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“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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“Rip Paul Reubens. You always made me laugh.” —Jennifer Tilly
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“So So Much Love for this wonderful human creative genius & friend who I’ve adored for many decades” –Daryl Hannah
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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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“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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“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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“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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“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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“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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“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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“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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“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
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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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