Paul Reubens in Los Angeles in 2009.
Danny Moloshok/AP
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Danny Moloshok/AP
Paul Reubens in Los Angeles in 2009.
Danny Moloshok/AP
Actor Paul Reubens — best known as the character Pee-Wee Herman — died Sunday of cancer, according to his Instagram. He was 70.
The story of “a guy and his bike” made a cultural splash when the film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure — directed by Tim Burton — premiered in 1985. Suddenly, a raft of childhood phrases were everywhere:
I know you are but what am I? I know you are but what am I?
That’s my name! Don’t wear it out!
Reubens created PeeWee in 1977 as a member of Los Angeles improvisational group The Groundlings. And the character went on to have a long life in a stage and TV show before the film.
PeeWee’s childish but big-hearted antics became beloved — but Reubens himself was more troubled. In 1991 he plead no contest to indecent exposure in an adult movie theater; about a decade later, he pleaded guilty to possessing an obscene image of a minor. His reputation as a sweet, children’s performer never recovered.
This story originally appeared on NPR
