Lynne Marie Stewart, beloved for her roles in Pee-wee’s Playhouse and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by her friend, Cassandra Peterson, through an Instagram post on Friday.
A native of Los Angeles, Stewart began her comedy career with the renowned sketch group The Groundlings, where she met Peterson and future Pee-wee Herman star, Paul Reubens.
In the early stages of her career, Stewart appeared in various roles, including several nurses on M*A*S*H, a guest spot on Night Court, and multiple recurring parts on Laverne & Shirley. She also made a brief appearance in 1973’s American Graffiti and played a role 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.”