Lynne Marie Stewart, a beloved actress known for her roles in Pee-wee’s Playhouse and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has passed away at the age of 78. Her death was confirmed by her close friend, actress Cassandra Peterson, on Instagram Friday.
A lifelong resident of Los Angeles, Stewart began her comedy career as a member of the Hollywood-based sketch group The Groundlings. It was there that she met Peterson and Paul Reubens, who would become her co-stars on Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
Stewart’s early television career included various roles, including multiple characters as nurses on MASH*, a guest appearance on Night Court, and several recurring roles on Laverne & Shirley. She also appeared in the 1973 film American Graffiti and the 1987 action thriller The Running Man, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
However, Stewart is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Miss Yvonne, “The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland,” a role she originated in the 1981 Broadway production of The Pee-wee Herman Show. She continued in this iconic role through the television series Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986-1990) and in the films Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-wee.
In addition to her work on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Stewart played Bonnie, the mother of Charlie Kelly (played by Charlie Day), on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Her extensive career also saw her working with Tracey Ullman on comedy specials for HBO and Showtime, a six-episode stint on Comedy Bang! Bang!, and numerous voice acting roles.
Peterson shared her sorrow over Stewart’s passing on Instagram, calling her “one of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived.” She remembered Stewart fondly as “the iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and “the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.”
Stewart’s longtime friend, Jonathan Stark, also expressed his grief on Facebook, 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.”
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