Paul Reubens, the renowned actor and comedian celebrated for his beloved character Pee-wee Herman, passed away at 70, AP reports.

Pee-wee Herman, an endearing and zany overgrown child clad in a tight gray suit with an unforgettable laugh, rose to prominence as a 1980s pop cultural sensation.

Reubens' portrayal of Pee-wee Herman delighted audiences in the iconic film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and the acclaimed TV series "Pee-wee's Playhouse."

Sadly, the talented actor succumbed to a private six-year battle with cancer, as confirmed by his publicist.

In a statement released Monday, Reubens expressed his regret for not publicly disclosing his health struggles over the past six years.

Despite his private struggle, he expressed immense gratitude for the tremendous love and respect he had received from his friends, fans, and supporters.

He found joy in creating art for his adoring audience throughout his career.

Originally conceived for the stage, Pee-wee Herman, donning white chunky loafers and a signature red bow tie, left an indelible mark in adult and children's entertainment throughout the 1980s.

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Pee-wee Herman Actor Paul Reubens' Career

Paul Reubens began his comedy career in the 1970s as a member of the renowned comedy troupe, the Groundlings, in Los Angeles, Cure noted.

However, his iconic role as Pee-wee Herman catapulted him to stardom. Pee-wee Herman was first introduced on "The Pee-wee Herman Show" in 1981, and the character's popularity led to various opportunities in the entertainment industry.

One of Reubens' career highlights was the creation of the acclaimed children's television program "Pee-wee's Playhouse," which aired on CBS during the 1980s.

The show was successful and earned an impressive 22 Emmy Awards during its five-year run. Reubens himself was nominated for 14 Emmys and won two of them.

In addition to his work as Pee-wee Herman, Reubens showcased his versatility by taking on roles in various television shows and films, including "30 Rock," "What We Do in the Shadows," "Gotham," and "The Blues Brothers."

Reubens' contributions to the entertainment industry were further recognized when he received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in 1988.

Additionally, he had been working on a memoir, having recently completed its first draft, according to a representative for the actor.

Paul Reubens' Legal Woes

Throughout the 1990s, Paul Reubens maintained a low profile following his arrest for indecent exposure at an adult movie theater in Florida in 1991, per the Daily Beast.

During this period, he chose to step away from the Pee-wee Herman character for nearly two decades, focusing on other aspects of his career, such as writing and acting in different, more minor roles.

In 2002, Reubens faced misdemeanor possession charges of obscene material depicting a child under 18 in sexual conduct.

However, these specific child pornography charges were dropped in 2004, and Reubens pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor obscenity charge instead.

He contended that he was a collector of "vintage erotica" and disagreed with how the city classified the material.

Even though the charges were dropped, Reubens faced restrictions and was ordered not to be in the company of minors without permission from their parents or guardians.

In a 2004 interview with NBC, Reubens expressed the intense emotional toll the situation had on him, particularly as someone who loves children. He strongly refuted any claims of being a pedophile and asserted that it was untrue.

In 2009, Paul Reubens revived "The Pee-wee Herman Show," resuming late-night interviews with the iconic character for the first time in years.

He also released another feature-length film, "Pee-wee's Big Holiday," for Netflix in 2016, marking a successful comeback.

Before his death, Reubens was actively working on two Pee-wee Herman projects, demonstrating his enduring dedication to the beloved character and the world of entertainment.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Paul Reubens, Pee-wee Herman Actor, Dead at 70 - From Entertainment Tonight