Lynne Marie Stewart, Pee-Wee's Playhouse And It's Always Sunny Actress, Dead At 78
Lynne Marie Stewart, who was best known for her roles on Pee-wee's Playhouse and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, died Friday. She was 78.
The news was confirmed by the actress's manager, who tells TVLine that Stewart became ill after doctors found a tumor between her liver and gallbladder.
"My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend Lynne Stewart's passing," actress Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson wrote on Instagram Friday. "One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived."
Stewart is best known for playing Miss Yvonne on CBS' Pee-wee's Playhouse from 1986-1990. Her character's obsession with beauty, glamour and flirtation earned her the title of "The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland."
SNL alum Laraine Newman also paid tribute to Stewart on Instagram: "The most beautiful girl in Puppetland has left us. Lynne Stewart was truly an angel and brilliantly funny and an important part of our Groundlings family. As my sister said, 'If you don't love Lynne, you're just wrong.'"
The official Pee-wee Herman Facebook page also remembered the actress on Saturday: "We are deeply saddened to share that Lynne Marie Stewart, beloved as Miss Yvonne, aka the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland, and a cherished part of the greater Pee-wee universe, has passed away. A master of improv, Lynne brought so much joy and warmth to the world and was loved by so many. She will be dearly, dearly missed."
During her decades-long career, Stewart appeared in other TV series including Comedy Bang! Bang!, 2 Broke Girls, Clinical Trials, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grey's Anatomy, Son of the Beach, Nightstand, Superman, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo, Laverne & Shirley, Husbands, Wives & Lovers and M*A*S*H*.
Stewart most recently played Bonnie Kelly, Charlie's mom, in FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
According to her manager, the actress recently wrapped work on a film titled The Dink, in addition to the next season of It's Always Sunny.