Cult Faction is sad to report that Paul Reubens has passed away at the age of 70 years old following a battle with cancer. The sad news was broken on Reubens’ Pee Wee Herman Instagram account:
Born as Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952, in Peekskill, New York, Reubens demonstrated a passion for performing at an early age. Following his high school graduation, he attended Boston University, and began auditioning for acting schools. He was turned down by several schools, including the Juilliard School and twice by Carnegie Mellon University, before being accepted to the California Institute of the Arts. Reubens moved to California, where he worked in restaurant kitchens and as a Fuller Brush salesman.
Reubens teamed with Charlotte McGinnis as The Hilarious Betty and Eddie – the duo has four appearances on The Gong Show, this led to joining the Los Angeles–based improvisational comedy team The Groundlings. He remained a troupe member for six years, working with Bob McClurg, John Paragon, Susan Barnes, and Phil Hartman. Soon a small role in the Blues Brothers as a waiter followed.
In the late 1970s, Reubens developed the character of Pee-wee Herman, a quirky, childlike man-child with a distinctive red bowtie and high-pitched voice. Pee-wee quickly became a sensation on the Los Angeles comedy circuit, gaining a loyal following. In 1981, HBO aired “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a stage production that laid the groundwork for the character’s future success.
Appearances followed in Mork and Mindy, Dream On!, Twilight Theatre, Pandemonium, Madame’s Place, and Maetballs Part II. Reubens starred in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, Tim Burton’s directorial debut. The film became a cult classic, showcasing Reubens’ ability to balance childlike innocence with adult humor. In 1986, Reubens brought Pee-wee Herman to the small screen with “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” a children’s television show that blended humor, animation, and life lessons. The show’s imaginative world and catchy theme song captivated both kids and adults, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including several Daytime Emmy Award. Big Top Pee-wee” (1988), received mixed reviews but continued to highlight his talent for creating memorable characters.
Outside of Pee-Wee Herman, Reubens, credited as Paul Mall, voiced Max in Flight of the Navigator in 1986, as well as notched up appearances in Star Tours, Batman Returns, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In 1991, Reubens faced personal and professional challenges when he was involved in a controversial incident that temporarily tarnished Pee-wee Herman’s wholesome image. Despite the setback, Reubens persevered, continuing to work in various acting and voice-over roles while maintaining a low profile with roles in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Dunston Checks In, Matilda, Murphy Brown, Doctor Dolittle, and Hercules. In 1999, Reubens played The Spleen in Mystery Men, a more high profile role. This led to parts in South of Heaven West of Hell, Everybody Loves Raymond, Blow, Ally McBeal, Rugrats and a whole lot more.
IN 2010 Pee-Wee returned in “Pee-Wee gets an Ipad,” this was followed up with “Pee-Wee Goes to Sturgus.” Guest appearances as Pee-wee on various television shows followed including WWE’s Monday Night RAW. More recent appearances include What We Do in the Shadows, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Gotham, American Dad! and Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday.
Paul Reubens’ contributions to comedy and entertainment are immeasurable. His creation of Pee-wee Herman remains one of the most enduring and beloved characters in pop culture history. Reubens’ ability to blend childlike wonder with subversive humor has influenced countless comedians and performers over the years.
The CW has released a new extended trailer for The Flash, offering up some new footage from several upcoming episodes and teasing the unmasking of Zoom:
Zoolander is back but a lot has happened since 2001! Rest assured the Ben Stiller comedy features familiar faces and a few new ones with plenty to get you excited. Read more
Zone 414 is an upcoming American science fiction thriller film written by Bryan Edward Hill and directed by Andrew Baird. The film stars Guy Pearce, Matilda Lutz, Jonathan Aris, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Olwen Fouéré, Colin Salmon, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Read more
It is the final episode of Season 1, and as expected following the somewhat calmness of last week's episode this week is about to go off the scale. Our crew Read more
Episode 5 of Zomboat! is the penultimate episode of Season 1 and it gave the audience a chance to catch their breath before the grand finale. Instead of the fast Read more
In Zomboat! Episode 4 we discover that even a shopping trip can be hazardous to your health in post-apocalyptic Birmingham. With the boat moored and apparently safe Amar (Ryan McKen) Read more
After our diversion last week our Zomboat crew begin travelling in the right direction and end up back where they first got on the boat. This also happens to be Read more
Zomboat! burst onto our screens last week and while we loved it we noted that it felt "a bit rushed with lots crammed in." As Episode 2 washed over us Read more
Debuting on ITV2 in the UK, Zomboat! is filmed in the 2.35:1 widescreen ratio of most zombie movies and answers the life long question of what would happen if you Read more
Homemade horror-comedy feature Zomblogalypse received its UK premiere at Dead Northern Film Festival - in association with Fangoria and Shudder - at City Screen York on 26th September 2021. The Read more
Tony Todd is back in an all new zombie movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBlWz-n-nec When the world is in shambles, plagued by a zombie outbreak, only the strong will survive, but just how Read more
Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL6NTQhEqn4 Read more
In Zombieland 2: Double Tap, Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of Read more
Zombie With A Shotgun is the feature adaptation of the popular web series of the same name. Aaron and Rachel are on the run due to the fact that Aaron is Read more
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, Zombie Tidal Wave aims to pick up where the Sharknado franchise left off. More serious in tone, the film plays more like the original Sharknado Read more
It's a Zombie Tsunami! From the same twisted minds behind Sharknado comes an all-new disaster: Zombie Tidal Wave starring Ian Ziering. Watch the world premiere Saturday August 17th at 9/8c Read more
11 years ago, a zombie virus killed many people, while others had their family members turned into zombies. Society is still angry, and so outside the city, a zombie fight Read more
The looming release of ZOMBIE ARMY 4 draws ever closer, but there’s a whole new realm of terror lurking just behind! A new three-part campaign called Hell Cult, comprising three Read more
Zombie Army 4: Dead War is OUT NOW! Get your copy on PlayStation 4 TODAY! A reanimated despot and his ghoulish backup dancers shake a precariously attached leg in this Read more
IF YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SAFE - YOU’RE DEAD WRONG! The year is 1946. Europe lies in ruins, torn apart by the nefarious “Plan Z.” A brave band of heroes Read more
Brett Summers
Founded Cult Faction in 2014. Some would describe him as a teacher, writer, dream weaver, and visionary... some would not...
More Stories
Chucky Season 3 teaser trailer released
Preview- Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger Ep. 28: Shuffle Kings!
Preview- Kamen Rider Gotchard Ep. 2: Pursuit, Alchemy, Skebows!