Paul Reubens, who played Pee-wee Herman on stage and on screen, died July 30. He was 70 and had been battling cancer. 

“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,” it said on Pee-wee Herman’s social media platforms. “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.”

Born in Peekskill, New York and growing up in Sarasota, Florida, Reubens studied at California Institute of the Arts and got his start in the Groundlings, where he launched his Pee-wee Herman character. 

He premiered The Pee-wee Herman Show, a stage production, in Los Angeles in the early ‘80s. A Pee-wee Herman special on HBO followed. 

Reubens starred in ‘80s movies Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton, and Big Top Pee-wee. Weekend morning show Pee-wee’s Playhouse aired on CBS from 1986 to 1991.

Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure at an adult-movie theater in 1991. 

The Pee-wee Herman Show came to Broadway in 2010, with HBO airing  the special a year later. Movie Pee-wee’s Big Holiday came out on Netflix in 2016. 

Reubens’ TV credits included 30 Rock, Gotham and The Blacklist, and his film work includes 2001 movie Blow. 

Reubens had penned a note to fans to be shared following his death. “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” it said. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”

Said Jimmy Kimmel on Twitter: “Paul Reubens was like no one else - a brilliant and original comedian who made kids and their parents laugh at the same time. He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met. My family and I will miss him.”

It started on the stage. Then it was on HBO. That led to a movie, then a long Emmy-winning run on CBS, followed by another film and a return to the stage. Now Paul Reubens and his PeeWee Herman character are headed to Netflix for a third film, Pee-wee's Big Holiday, to be produced by Judd Apatow.

Reubens and Paul Rust (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Arrested Development) wrote the new film, which will premiere exclusively on the streaming service. John Lee (Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer) is making his feature film directorial debut on the film, with production beginning early this year. Netflix has not announced a release date.

The original The Pee-wee Herman Show premiered at The Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 1981, at midnight; Reubens had created the character while a member of the improv troupe. Later the show moved to L.A.'s The Roxy on Sunset Strip for a five-month run. Premium cable network HBO picked up the show as a special, introducing the character nationwide. In 1985 director Tim Burton made his debut directing Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and in 1986 Reubens's act found its way to CBS's Saturday morning timeslot as Pee-wee's Playhouse, a children's show that was enjoyed as much by adults for its double entendres. Pee-wee's Playhouse garnered 22 Emmy Awards during its five-year run.

After the CBS show ended, Reubens eventually returned to the stage, most recently in a 2010 Broadway production of The Pee-wee Herman Show, which HBO also aired -- 30 years after its original special with the actor.

For Netflix, the deal is the latest in a string of recent feature film announcements. The company in August will premiere the upcoming sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Legend, and it has multi-picture deals with Adam Sandler and the Duplass brothers.