Lynne Marie Stewart, an actress known for starring in the CBS children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and the FX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” has died at the age of 78.
Stewart died on Feb. 21 following a brief battle with cancer, Sam Gooley, box office and marketing manager for the Los Angeles-based sketch comedy theatre The Groundlings, told The Epoch Times via email on Monday.
The actress was a member of The Groundlings from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s and remained active in the community up until her death, Gooley said.
“Her warmth, humor, and unforgettable presence lit up a room and brought joy to so, so many. She will be deeply missed, but her light will continue to shine through the laughter and love she gave us all,” the school wrote.
“The characters she created and the magic she brought both on and off stage are eternal. We love you forever, Lynne.”
“Lynne was the most wonderful actress. She was the kindest and [most] honorable person,” Smith shared, adding that the actress “loved the craft.”
Born on Dec. 14, 1946, in Los Angeles County, Stewart’s acting career spanned more than five decades.
The actress landed her first on-screen role in 1971, appearing in the sports comedy “Drive, He Said.” The film was directed by Jack Nicholson and starred William Tepper, Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Robert Towne, and Henry Jaglom.
Stewart appeared in a handful of other films that decade, including “American Graffiti” (1973), “Tunnel Vision” (1976), and “Cracking Up” (1977). She was also cast in various television shows, such as “M*A*S*H,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Quincy, M.E.,” and “CHiPs,” among others.
While studying at The Groundlings, Stewart met actor Paul Reubens, who was also a member of the troupe. After Reubens conceived the quirky character Pee-wee Herman, he later recruited Stewart to play Miss Yvonne in the 1981 comedy special “The Pee-wee Herman Show.”
Stewart went on to work with Reubens on several other projects, including the CBS television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which aired from 1986 to 1990, as well as “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988), “Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1988), and “The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway” (2011).
Stewart is also known for playing the mother of one of the main characters in the FX sitcom “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” from 2005 to 2023.
Tributes Pour In
Stewart’s death triggered an outpouring of tributes on social media.Cassandra Peterson, an actress known for portraying the gothic hostess in the 1988 horror comedy “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark,” described her costar in the film as being “one of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived.”
Producer Jonathan Stark shared a similar tribute via Facebook on Friday, calling Stewart “the kindest most loving person” he ever met.
“It seemed impossible to me as I felt that her goodness and light would live forever. I’m beyond heartbroken. ... She was without question, one of the most talented and funny people ever.”
Actress Peggy Etra left a comment on Stark’s post, writing that she was grateful her final words to Stewart were “I love you.”
“She of course responded ‘I love you, back!’” Etra recalled. “She was who I aspire to be.”
“So wonderful a spirit to work with on Sunny!” the filmmaker added. “All love to her family.”
Birgen Hartman, actor Phil Hartman’s daughter, said Stewart was “effortlessly hilarious and enthusiastically kind.”
Actor Michael Hitchcock, known for his roles on “Mad TV,” “The New Normal,” and “Nobody Wants This,” called Stewart “undiluted pure joy.”
“Weren’t we lucky to know her? Our love for her is only surpassed by her love for us.”
