The beloved actor and comedian, Paul Reubens, renowned for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman, passed away at the age of 70 on July 30. A month after his passing, the cause of his death has been confirmed through his death certificate, shedding light on his private health battle.
According to the certificate, Paul Reubens succumbed to acute hypoxic respiratory failure, a condition where the lungs struggle to provide adequate oxygen to the bloodstream, thereby impairing the proper functioning of vital organs. This life-threatening condition can also occur when the lungs fail to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood, leading to a disruption in the essential exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the body.
In addition to acute hypoxic respiratory failure, it was disclosed that Reubens had been courageously facing two types of cancer at the time of his passing. His primary battle was with acute myelogenous leukemia, a form of cancer that affects blood cells and bone marrow, often known for its aggressive nature. Simultaneously, he was fighting metastatic lung cancer, which had spread either to the other lung or other parts of his body.
Paul Reubens had chosen to keep his cancer diagnosis private for years, a personal decision he maintained until his final days. His representative shared that he faced his health challenges with remarkable determination and humor. Despite his battle with these life-threatening illnesses, Reubens remains eternally cherished by fans for his enduring work as Pee-wee Herman, a testament to his lasting impact on the world of comedy and entertainment.
