‘Huge loss’: Celebrities react to death of ‘Pee-wee Herman’ creator Paul Reubens
Remembering "Pee-wee": Fans left notes and items at the star of Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens on Monday at the actor's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Celebrities reacted with shock and sadness on Monday after learning about the death of actor Paul Reubens, best known for his comedy character “Pee-wee Herman.”
Tim Burton, who directed the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” shared a photo of himself and Reubens on Instagram, writing that he was “shocked and saddened.”
“He was a great artist,” Burton wrote. “I’ll miss him.”
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel called Reubens “a brilliant and original comedian who made kids laugh and their parents laugh at the same time.”
“He never forgot a birthday and shared his genuine delight for silliness with everyone he met,” Kimmel wrote. My family and I will miss him.”
Former late-night television host Conan O’Brien said that Reubens’ “surreal comedy and unrelenting kindness were a gift to us all.”
“No tweet can capture the magic, generosity, artistry, and devout silliness of Paul Reubens,” O’Brien wrote.
“Tough news here,” comedian and actor Dane Cook tweeted.
“Paul Reubens was such a gifted performer and a nice person. He brought so much joy to people over the years as Pee Wee, my sister and I loved that character,” Cook wrote. “I was privileged to work with him in a film and he was as great in real life as he was on screen.”
Actress Sara Gilbert called Reubens “the kindest and most generous of spirit,” according to AV Club.
“You always made me feel so loved and special,” she wrote. “I hope to be half the friend you were. You are missed. Love you forever, Peewee.”
Actor Mark Hamill thanked Reubens for “the lifetime of laughter.”
Cher posted a line from William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to honor Reubens, KTLA-TV reported.
“Goodnight sweet prince,” the singer-actress wrote. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Director Paul Feig called Reubens’ death “a huge loss” for comedy.
“This is devastating. Truly heartbreaking,” Feig tweeted. Paul was such a comedy genius. From his Letterman appearances to his TV shows and movies, he was so original and hilarious. And such a sweet man too. This is a huge loss for comedy. Thanks for all the laughs, Paul.”
Other celebrities also weighed in with their thoughts and memories of Reubens.
Through the years Actor Paul Reubens poses for a portrait in circa 1980. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES - MAY 1980: Actor Paul Reubens poses for a portrait dressed as his character Pee-wee Herman in May 1980 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
(Michael Ochs Archives)
Through the years UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 19: MORK & MINDY - "Long Before We Met" - Season Four - 11/19/81, Robin Williams (Mork), Paul Reubens (Dickie Nimitz), (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Through the years (L-R) American singer, songwriter, musician, producer, actor, activist and author Steven Van Zandt, "Little Steven", American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and children's entertainer Pee Wee Herman and American singer, musician, record producer, and actor "Weird Al" Yankovic, pose for a portrait during the T.J. Martell Rock N' Bowl on April 7, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) (Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
Through the years American actor, screenwriter, and producer Paul Reubens is Pee-wee Herman on the set of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton. (Photo by Barry King/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images) (Barry King/Sygma via Getty Images)
Through the years In this handout, American actor, writer, film producer, game show host, and comedian Paul Reubens in a mug shot following his arrest for public indecency, Sarasota, Florida, US, 20th July 1991. (Photo by Kypros/Getty Images) (Kypros/Getty Images)
Through the years STUDIO CITY, CA - JUNE 09: Actor Paul Reubens as "Pee-Wee Herman" presents the "Funniest M.F." award onstage during Spike TV's First Annual "Guys Choice" taped at Radford Studios on June 9, 2007 in Studio City, California. Spike TV's "Guys Choice" premieres June 13, 2007 at 10:00pm ET/PT. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 17: Actors Joe Manganiello and Paul Reubens attend the premiere of "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" during the 2016 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at Paramount Theatre on March 17, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for SXSW) (Mike Windle)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: Paul Reubens attends the AOL Build Speaker Series to discuss "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" at AOL Studios In New York on March 25, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 20: Actor Paul Reubens poses onstage on the opening night of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" in Club Nokia at L.A. Live on January 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD - "Nev Schulman vs. Jimmie Allen and Paul Reubens vs. David Arquette" - It's a hilarious faceoff between the host of MTV's "Catfish," Nev Schulman, and country music star Jimmie Allen as they vie to win money for their respective charities. In the next game, actor David Arquette competes against comedian and actor Paul Reubens, joined by their celebrity friends in this all-star episode of "Celebrity Family Feud" airing, SUNDAY, JULY 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
DAVID ARQUETTE, PAUL REUBENS (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
Through the years CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE - Paul Reubens, Nicole Byer, and Joel McHale Celebrity Wheel of Fortune takes a new spin on the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune with the primetime debut of Americas Game® on Americas network, THURSDAY, FEB. 11 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EST), on ABC. (Christopher Willard via Getty Images)
PAUL REUBENS (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images)