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 bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit.
Paul Reubens poses for a portrait dressed as his character Pee-wee Herman in May 1980Getty
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In 1980, Reubens had a small part as a waiter inThe Blues BrothersMovie.
I think theyre Iranians, he says.
Cut to image of speeding cop cars with sirens blaring.
In 1985, he starred in Tim Burtons breakthrough hit filmPee-wees Big Adventure, which Reubens co-wrote with Hartman.
Three years later, Reubens starred in the sequelBig Top Pee-wee.
Parody crossed over into reality withPee-wees Playhouse, the 1986-90 Saturday morning childrens program on CBS.
CBS, which already had canceled the Saturday show pre-scandal, ended all reruns of the program.
Reubens was widely defended by many in Hollywood, but he largely avoided public appearances during the time.
By this time, Reubens typically left the Pee-wee character behind.
Other post-scandal credits includeReno 911!
One of them came to fruition:Pee-wees Big Holiday, which debuted on Netflix in 2016.
Reubens is survived by sister Abby and her wife Helia; brother Luke; and nieces Lily and Sarah.
