Current:Home > StocksPaul Reubens' 'Pee-wee is going to live on': Cabazon Dinosaurs paints tribute to late actor-InfoLens
Paul Reubens' 'Pee-wee is going to live on': Cabazon Dinosaurs paints tribute to late actor
View Date:2024-12-23 14:38:42
Motorists heading westbound on Interstate 10 have probably noticed Mr. Rex of the Cabazon Dinosaurs has a fresh coat of paint in tribute to the late Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs posted photos on its social media pages of Mr. Rex painted in Pee-wee's signature gray suit, white shirt, red bow tie and white shoes on Tuesday night.
Reubens, who died Sunday after a six-year battle with cancer, wasn't a local resident but is connected to the roadside attraction near Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon after it was featured in the 1985 film with director Tim Burton, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure."
Denise Kanter, who owns and operates the dinosaur park, said Mr. Rex will be in Pee-wee mode through October before the site switches to its Christmas celebration, but she added "Pee-wee Herman is going to live on!"
"When someone passes away, you have to be considerate of how you approach that situation. I was thinking, 'Well, what do we do? Do we (do) something or don't do something?' Then I felt with requests coming from customers and interest on behalf of news organizations, we must do something."
Many Pee-wee fans over the years have made a pilgrimage to the Cabazon Dinosaurs to take a selfie or recognize it while driving through the area.
"15 years ago, it used to be 40 to 50% of our clientele but its probably about 20% now. They know the movie, the dinosaurs and they'll comment 'We love 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure.'"
An uncertain history
Kanter and her husband Gary purchased the Cabazon Dinosaurs in 1995. The dinosaurs were created by Knott's Berry Farm sculptor and portrait artist, Claude Bell. According to a 2011 Patch.com article, the 150-ton Apatosaurus and 100-ton Tyrannosaurus rex were completed in 1975 and 1986.
When asked if Reubens ever visited the dinosaurs again, Kanter said she was unaware of whether he did during the previous ownership and hadn't since they owned the property.
"I thought about contacting him numerous times, but he was very quiet and private. Ever since he was diagnosed (with cancer), he took the backseat as far as being in the public."
Reubens' estate confirmed news of his death on his official Instagram page Monday.
Paul Reubens,Pee-wee Herman actor and comedian, dies at 70 after private cancer battle
"Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness," the announcement read. "Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit."
The post included a quote from Reubens himself, apologizing to fans for dealing with his health privately. "Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” he said in the statement. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
Pee-wee Hermanand the complications of talking about people after they die
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
veryGood! (344)
Related
- John Krasinski is People's Sexiest Man Alive. What that says about us.
- Grad school debt can be crushing for students. With wages stagnant, Education Dept worries
- Sophie Turner Wears Matching PJs With “Handsome” Husband Joe Jonas in Birthday Tribute
- Police change account of fatal shooting by Philadelphia officer, saying driver was shot inside car
- Harriet Tubman posthumously named a general in Veterans Day ceremony
- Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze
- Temporary shelter for asylum seekers closes in Maine’s largest city
- Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki receive wild cards for 2023 US Open
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- Have Fun in the Sun With Porsha Williams’ Amazon Summer Essentials
Ranking
- Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
- Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki receive wild cards for 2023 US Open
- Dominican firefighters find more bodies as they fight blaze from this week’s explosion; 13 killed
- 14 more members of Minneapolis gangs are charged in federal violent crime initiative
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Some abortion drug restrictions are upheld by an appeals court in a case bound for the Supreme Court
- When does pumpkin spice season start? It already has at Dunkin', Krispy Kreme and 7-Eleven
- Nigeriens call for mass recruitment of volunteers as the junta faces possible regional invasion
Recommendation
-
Brian Austin Green Shares Message to Sharna Burgess Amid Ex Megan Fox's Baby News
-
Texas woman accused of threatening to kill judge overseeing Trump election case and a congresswoman
-
Florida Woman Allegedly Poured Mountain Dew on Herself to Hide Evidence After Murdering Roommate
-
Dodger fan names daughter after Mookie Betts following home run
-
'Unfortunate error': 'Wicked' dolls with porn site on packaging pulled from Target, Amazon
-
Fracking Linked to Increased Cases of Lymphoma in Pennsylvania Children, Study Finds
-
Aldi to buy 400 Winn-Dixie, Harveys groceries in Southern US
-
'Depp v. Heard': Answers to your burning questions after watching Netflix's new doc