As HBO’s two-part docuseries Pee-wee as Himself drops, it’s a reminder of how actor Paul Reubens is no longer with us. In Touch takes a closer look and when and how the pop culture icon died.
When Did Pee-wee Herman Die?
Paul died on July 30, 2023, at the age of 70.
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The following day, the late star’s rep posted a tribute to his friend on Pee-wee Herman’s Instagram account.
“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, 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,” the statement read.
“Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit,” it continued. “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.”
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What Was Paul Reubens’ Cause of Death?
Paul’s death certificate said he died from acute hypoxic respiratory failure, according to the document obtained by The Blast on September 8, 2023. The condition occurs when the lungs are unable to deliver enough oxygen to the bloodstream resulting in hypoxia, according to BMJ Best Practice.
The actor also had two types of cancer when he died, with his underlying cause of death listed as acute myelogenous leukemia, which is cancer of the blood and bone marrow, according to Mayo Clinic.
In addition, Paul was suffering from metastatic lung cancer, a form of the disease where cancer cells found in the lungs travel to other parts of the body, Medical News Today explains.
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Paul Reubens Kept His Cancer Battle Private
One of Paul’s closest friends, Cassandra Peterson, appears in Pee-wee as Himself. The star — who is better known a cult classic personality Elvira — revealed she knew about his cancer diagnosis “from day one,” telling Time in a piece published on May 23, 2025.
Cassandra said Paul called her crying on the day he got the diagnosis but that he bravely fought lung cancer and was improving until he was later diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“He never dwelled on it. He never talked about it. He ate healthy. He really turned his life around,” the Elvira: Mistress of the Dark actress said about Paul’s battle with cancer.
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Paul Reubens
Cassandra told Time that Paul found love again, although he kept his partner a secret. She said the pair were still together at the time of his 2023 passing.
“It was the first time I heard Paul talk about somebody who he really, really liked,” The Munsters star shared with the outlet. “It was nice that Paul had somebody at the end, a very nice person who really cared about Paul. I was so happy to see that.”
How Did Paul Reubens Become Famous?
Paul developed his character Pee-wee Herman while working with The Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles. After it became a hit stage show locally, the character landed the Saturday morning children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
It was followed by the smash 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and 1988’s Big Top Pee-wee. A third film in the series, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, premiered in 2016.