Lynne Marie Stewart, known for her memorable performances in Pee-wee’s Playhouse and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has sadly passed away at the age of 78. Her close friend, Cassandra Peterson, shared the news on Instagram last Friday.
Originally from Los Angeles, Stewart kickstarted her comedy journey with The Groundlings, a renowned sketch group where she crossed paths with Peterson and future Pee-wee Herman lead, Paul Reubens.
During the early phase of her career, Stewart showcased her talents in various roles, such as portraying several nurses on M*A*S*H, making a guest appearance on Night Court, and securing recurring characters on Laverne & Shirley. She also had a brief cameo in the 1973 movie American Graffiti and acted in the 1987 action film The Running Man alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Stewart is perhaps most famous for portraying Miss Yvonne, “the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland,” a role she first brought to life in the 1981 Broadway version of The Pee-wee Herman Show. She went on to play the character from 1986 to 1990 in Pee-wee’s Playhouse, as well as in the films Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-wee.
In addition to her iconic role as Miss Yvonne, Stewart also played Bonnie Kelly, Charlie Kelly’s (Charlie Day) mother, on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Her extensive comedy career included work with Tracey Ullman on sketch comedy specials for HBO and Showtime, a six-episode stint on Comedy Bang! Bang!, and numerous voice acting roles.
In her heartfelt Instagram tribute, Peterson shared, “My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend Lynne Stewart’s passing. 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.’ 💔”
Jonathan Stark, a longtime friend of Stewart, also paid tribute 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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