Lynne Marie Stewart.Photo:Lila Seeley/Getty
Lila Seeley/Getty
Lynne Marie Stewart, star ofPee-wee’s PlayhouseandIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has reportedly died. She was 78.
Stewart’s representative, Bette Smith, tells PEOPLE that the actress died on Friday, Feb. 21, just months after doctors discovered that she had a tumor.
“She had just finished filming the movie[The] Dinkand[It’s] Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Smith said in a statement to PEOPLE. “That was mid-Dec. She was exhausted, so she went to the doc, and to everyone’s shock, she had a tumor between the liver [and] gallbladder. She went very quickly.
“The day before she passed, the director of the movie sent over a cut of the movie so Lynne and her family got to watch,” Smith continued. “That was so kind, and it was nice for everyone to see her last work. "
Stewart on ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’ in 1989.Brian D. McLaughlin/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Brian D. McLaughlin/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
She added, “Lynne was such a talent. All she cared about was the art, not pay or fame. She was the kindest and [most] honorable person I have ever known.”
“My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend @lynnestewart78 Lynne Stewart’s passing,” actress Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson wrote, alongside a photo of Stewart embracing her and another friend.
“One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne ofPee-wee’s Playhouse. She’ll always be ‘the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.’ ”
Jonathan Stark, another friend of Stewart’s, shared the news onFacebook, writing, “I lost a friend today. And the world lost a great soul. Lynne Marie Stewart is gone. Miss Yvonne, ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland.’ It seemed impossible to me as I felt that her goodness and light would live forever. I’m beyond heartbroken.”
Stewart played Miss Yvonne, The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland, onPee-wee’s Playhousefrom 1986 to 1990 alongside star and creator Paul Reubens, whodied in July 2023. She appeared in several other Pee-wee titles, includingPee-wee’s Big Adventure(1985) andBig Top Pee-wee(1988).
The late actress first met Reubens in the 1970s after joining the sketch comedy troupe the Groundlings, based in Los Angeles, where she was born and raised, perExtra.
Stewart’s more recent well-recognized role was as Charlie Kenny’s mother Bonnie, inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia(2005-2023). This was also her last credited acting appearance, perIMDB.
Former cast member Mary Elizabeth Ellis wrote in tribute to Stewart on herInstagram Stories, “This woman. So lovely, so funny … I can’t believe I got to know and work with her after falling for her as a child watching Peewee. Lots of love to you Lynne Marie 💖.”
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Stewart at the opening night of ‘The Pee-wee Herman Show’ in L.A. in 2010.Kevin Winter/Getty
Kevin Winter/Getty
Saturday Night LivestarMaya Rudolphposted on herInstagram Storiesa signed photo from Stewart in honor of the late actress following the news of her death.
Actor Drew Powell said of Stewart onInstagramthat she was “the kindest most affirming most supportive person I’ve come across.”
He added, “Always in my corner. Always beaming with positivity and love. What a legacy she leaves. We will miss her very much.“PEOPLE has reached out to Stewart’s representatives for comment.
source: people.com
