Bill Nye was sold as a combo of Mr. Wizard and Pee Wee’s playhouse. Then Paul Reubens got caught watching a dirty movie.
Age 70. Originally born in Peekskill, NY, in the Hudson Valley. I really loved his sense of the absurd. Good for kids and adults alike, IMHO.
RIP Paul Reubens. Part of my childhood died today as well Besides the adult theater issue that derailed his career, he had a pretty good career and was pretty a good character actor. Really liked him in Blow with Jonny Depp
I didn't really follow his career except for a short period there when he was everywhere, seems like a very interesting and perhaps tortured soul. I'm sad he's gone and that he went through everything he did. Had no idea he was that old either.
Damn. I will maintain that Big Adventure is culturally and historically significant. Reubens took a chance on an inexperienced Tim Burton to direct, who in turn took a chance on an inexperienced Danny Elfman to write the score. Starting the GOAT pairing of Director/Composer. Seriously, without Big Adventure who knows if Beetlejuice or Batman 1989 ever even happen.
He was great as Pee Wee Herman, but I really liked him when he was older and played in other things - he was a little more sophisticated and had a weird but hilarious presence. He was great in Reno 9-11. He also was very good in Blow and Gotham. He was a real original - and it is too bad that so many people remember him for cranking him little Herman in a XXX theatre like 35 years ago. Other than that, he never got in trouble and widely remembered as a very good person that was generous with his money and his time. I have been involved in some charitable organizations for the homeless and Paul Reubens was a huge donor and even had some people move into his home at various points in time.
RIP PeeWee Yeah, his legacy would def have been bigger if he lasted 5-6 more years on Sat Morning TV. He was on the edge of the Gen X-Elder Millennial audience when the incident happened and would've cemented his status beyond Nye. P.S. I can't respect the image Nye built up. He isn't really a scientist and more an actor/engineer. But I guess he inspired folks into learning, which is better than most influencers today...
The original stage production of "The Pee Wee Herman Show" (on which "Pee Wee's Playhouse" was VERY loosely based and also featured a young Phil Hartmann and Edie McClurg) was a comedy classic. HBO recorded it and played it regularly in the '80's. I'm gonna be checking to see if it's available on max tonight. "Big Adventure" was so popular in high school, people were showing up in costume and acting out scenes ala "Rocky Horror" at midnight screenings. Paul Reubens was an original. You didn't want tot get caught up with a guy like him. He was a loner, a rebel. RIP, Pee Wee.
