The cause of death for renowned actor Paul Reubens, who passed away at the age of 70, has been disclosed. Reubens, who is widely recognized for his character Pee-wee Herman, succumbed to acute hypoxic respiratory failure, as per his death certificate. This medical condition arises when the lungs are unable to supply sufficient oxygen to the blood, thereby hindering the proper functioning of the organs. It can also occur if the lungs fail to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood.
At the time of his demise, Reubens was privately battling two types of cancer. His primary cancer was acute myelogenous leukemia, which was identified as a sequential underlying cause. This type of cancer affects the blood cells and bone marrow. Additionally, Reubens was also grappling with metastatic lung cancer, a condition that spreads to the other lung or other parts of the body.
Reubens passed away on July 30, having kept his cancer diagnosis confidential for several years. His representative stated that Reubens had been courageously and privately fighting cancer for years, demonstrating his characteristic tenacity and humor. The representative further praised Reubens as a gifted and prolific talent, stating that he will forever be remembered in the comedy world and in their hearts as a cherished friend and a man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.
Following his death, a message from Reubens was shared on his official Instagram account. In the message, Reubens apologized for not publicly disclosing his health struggles over the past six years. He expressed his deep love and respect for his friends, fans, and supporters, and his enjoyment in creating art for them.
Reubens rose to fame after securing the role of Pee-wee Herman in the Tim Burton-directed movie “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” in 1985. The film’s success led to his character’s own Saturday morning CBS show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which aired from 1986 to 1991. The show won 15 Emmy awards during its run, and Reubens himself was nominated for three Emmys.