Celebrities reacted with shock and sadness on Monday after learning about the death of actor Paul Reubens, best known for his comedy character “Pee-wee Herman.”
Reubens, 70, died Sunday. The star of the children’s television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” had kept his health issues a secret, with representatives reporting on the actor’s official Instagram page that he had been battling cancer.
Tim Burton, who directed the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” shared a photo of himself and Reubens on Instagram, writing that he was “shocked and saddened.”
“He was a great artist,” Burton wrote. “I’ll miss him.”
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel called Reubens “a brilliant and original comedian who made kids laugh and their parents laugh at the same time.”
“He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met,” Kimmel wrote. My family and I will miss him.”
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 (@jimmykimmel) July 31, 2023
Former late-night television host Conan O’Brien said that Reubens’ “surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all.”
“No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens,” O’Brien wrote.
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 (@ConanOBrien) July 31, 2023
“Tough news here,” comedian and actor Dane Cook tweeted.
“Paul Reubens was such a gifted performer and a nice person. He brought so much joy to people over the years as Pee Wee, my sister and I loved that character,” Cook wrote. “I was privileged to work with him in a film and he was as great in real life as he was on screen.”
Paul Reubens was a gifted performer and a nice person. He brought so much joy to people over the years as Pee Wee, my sister and I loved that character. I was privileged to work with him in a film and he was as great in real life as he was on screen. Tough news here.
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) July 31, 2023
Actress Sara Gilbert called Reubens “the kindest and most generous of spirit,” according to AV Club.
“You always made me feel so loved and special,” she wrote. “I hope to be half the friend you were. You are missed. Love you forever, Peewee.”
Actor Mark Hamill thanked Reubens for “the lifetime of laughter.”
“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
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 31, 2023
We loved you right back, Paul... & can't thank you enough for the lifetime of laughter!#RIP pic.twitter.com/u7Ycx0SbTw
Cher posted a line from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to honor Reubens, KTLA-TV reported.
“Goodnight sweet prince,” the singer-actress wrote. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Director Paul Feig called Reubens’ death “a huge loss” for comedy.
“This is devastating. Truly heartbreaking,” Feig tweeted. 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.”
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. https://t.co/l76VIXHl50
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 31, 2023
Other celebrities also weighed in with their thoughts and memories of Reubens.
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 (@TheCarlWeathers) July 31, 2023
Paul and I first met in 1973 at Cal Arts. We 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. pic.twitter.com/GEX9oXuiG1
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) July 31, 2023
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. ♥️♥️💔 #PaulReubens #PeeWeeHerman ♥️ pic.twitter.com/GMcBaEgWix
— natasha lyonne (@nlyonne) July 31, 2023
Paul, u will always be my hero. Thank u for your endless love and support all these years. I'll always cherish our times together and I'll ALWAYS be missin u my brother. Til we meet again, I love you Paul. 🙏🏾💕 Say hi to my dad for me pic.twitter.com/1hyQD9js88
— The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) July 31, 2023