Paul Reubens, best known for portraying Pee-wee Herman, made a heartbreaking apology prior to his death regarding his cancer diagnosis. The news of the 70-year-old's sad passing broke yesterday after his family shared a statement alongside an image of the beloved actor. The statement read: "Last night we said farewell to <a href="https://vt.co/entertainment/pee-wee-herman-star-paul-reubens-dies-aged-70-after-private-health-battle">Paul Reubens</a>, 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. "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." [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CvXme4ZxAR0/]] Alongside the statement was an image that held a message from Reubens, where he apologized to his fans for keeping his cancer diagnosis secret. "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters," the heartfelt apology said. Reubens finished: "I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you." The 70-year-old's final wish was for all "expressions of sympathy" to be made in the form of a donation to Stand Up To Cancer or an organization that supports Dementia and Alzheimer's research, all in honor of his parents Judy and Milton Rubenfeld. Reubens' career took off in the 1970s when he joined the renowned Groundlings comedy ensemble in Los Angeles, showcasing his talents in improv comedy and stage acting. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263223039" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/07/GettyImages-615574540.jpg" alt="" width="705" height="1024" />[[imagecaption|| Reubens kept his cancer diagnosis a secret. Credit: Barry King/Getty Images]] The character of Pee-wee Herman first came to life in 1980, born from years of development, and quickly gained a devoted following, ensuring a successful five-month run of The Pee-Wee Herman Show to sold-out audiences. Reubens embraced his alter ego and enthusiastically participated in interviews and public appearances as Pee-wee Herman. In collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Tim Burton, Pee-wee made his big-screen debut in the 1985 film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, followed by Big Top Pee-Wee three years later. However, Reubens faced a setback in 1991 when he retreated from his iconic role after being arrested for indecent exposure. Following a hiatus of nearly two decades, he made a triumphant return in 2010 with The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway, delighting fans once again. Reubens also made appearances in online sketches and events, keeping the spirit of Pee-wee alive. In 2016, Reubens co-wrote and starred in Pee-Wee's Big Holiday for Netflix, a sequel to the 1988 film Big Top Pee-Wee, which marked his final film role. <img class="size-full wp-image-1263223041" src="https://img.vt.co/2023/07/GettyImages-524825732.jpg" alt="" width="764" height="1024" />[[imagecaption|| He was famous for his beloved character Pee-wee Herman. Credit: Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images]] Beyond his beloved Pee-wee persona, Reubens showcased his versatility through various roles in notable films such as Batman Returns, Matilda, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, earning him a diverse array of credits. Before his passing, Reubens had exciting plans for his timeless character. He was working on two new projects: a dark comedy titled The Pee-Wee Herman Story and a family adventure film called Pee-Wee's Playhouse: The Movie, both of which generated great anticipation among fans. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and fans at this time. <h6>Featured image credit: Bobby Bank/Getty</h6>

Paul 'Pee-Wee Herman' Reubens issued a heartbreaking apology before his death

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