Lynne Marie Stewart Dies: ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse’ & ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ Actress Was 78
Lynne Marie Stewart, the actress known for roles in Pee-wee’s Playhouse and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has died. She was 78.
The actress’ manager Bette Smith confirms to Deadline that Stewart died on Friday after wrapping her upcoming film Dink and Season 17 of It’s Always Sunny in December.
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“She was exhausted, so she went to see the doc. They discovered she had a tumor between her liver and gallbladder. This was a shock,” said Smith, adding: “Lynne was the most talented actress. She loved her craft above everything.”
Smith noted that the director and producers of Dink were “so sweet” as they “sent over the movie so Lynne could see it” ahead of the release.
Elvira star Cassandra Peterson was one of several to pay tribute to the actress Friday on Instagram after coming up together at The Groundlings in Los Angeles and appearing in Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) and The Elvira Show (1993) together.
“My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend @lynnestewart78 Lynne Stewart’s passing,” wrote Peterson on Instagram. “One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee’s Playhouse: She’ll always be ‘the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.'”
Born Dec. 14, 1946 in L.A., Stewart was a member of The Groundlings in the ’70s, where she met Peterson, Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman.
Stewart was most known and beloved for playing Miss Yvonne and other roles in Reubens’ Pee-wee franchise, appearing in The Pee-wee Herman Show (1981), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986-’90) Big Top Pee-wee (1988), Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1988) and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016). Reubens died at age 70 in 2022 after he was diagnosed with myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer.
Since 2005, Stewart has recurred on FXX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Charlie’s (Charlie Day) mom Bonnie Kelly.
“RIP TV mom. Thanks for 20 years of laughs. You deserve a standing ovation,” wrote Day on Instagram, adding in the caption: “The brilliant and talented Lynne Marie Stewart. Rest in peace. Thank you for all the years of laughter.”
Stewarts other credits include the films American Graffiti (1973), Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), The Running Man (1987), Rain Man (1988), Clear and Present Danger (1994) and Bridesmaids (2011), as well as episodes of Hawaii Five-O, M*A*S*H, CHiPs, Laverne & Shirley, Dynasty, Remington Steele, The Golden Girls, Arrested Development, Grey’s Anatomy, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 2 Broke Girls and AJ and the Queen.
Bridesmaids director Paul Feig paid tribute to the actress on X. “So sad. Lynne was the best. I was such a fan of hers and it was such an honor to work with her in Bridesmaids. A truly wonderful hilarious person. You will be missed, Lynne,” he wrote.
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