Sandra Oh and Awkwafina referred to their time working with Paul Reubens on the film Quiz Lady as ‘special’.
The actresses — who played sisters in the 2023 comedy — opened up about the late actor’s short-but-sweet cameo in the film, which would be his last, as he passed away at the age of 70 in July.
‘It’s so special that we were able to spend that time with him, and for what turned out to be his last film,’ the Grey’s Anatomy alum told People on Tuesday. ‘But, oh boy, he came on the set and he was like, I don’t know… He just really, really brought it in and had such great spirit around it’.
Awkwafina agreed, calling it a ‘cool day’ on set and revealed that the role for the actor — best known for playing PeeWee Herman — was part of the storyline from the start.
‘That was one part of the script that … he was in it from the very, very beginning,’ she told the outlet. ‘That never changed, his cameo specifically’.
Sandra Oh and Awkwafina referred to their time working with Paul Reubens on the film Quiz Lady as ‘special’
The actresses -who played sisters in the 2023 comedy — opened up about the late actor’s short-but-sweet cameo in the film, which would be his last, as he passed away at the age of 70 in July
The small role was right up Paul’s alley, as it was a comedic one, playfully referencing the long-running joke that he and actor Alan Cummings look alike.
In the film, Paul plays up the similarities for a confused fan by imitating Alan’s character’s Scottish accent from The Good Wife.
Shortly after Quiz Lady premiered on Hulu in November, Sandra took to her Instagram to share a sweet photo of her, Paul and Awkwafina.
‘Love to our beloved friend Paul [Reubens]. We were so so so lucky to have him, to know him and to share in the joy he brought to all,’ Sandra wrote.
‘I think this was the 1st or 2nd day of filming. #quizlady @hulu Enjoy’
Paul sadly passed away on July 30 after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which he kept private.
Following his death, his estate announced that he had ‘bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit’ in a statement on Instagram.
Reubens also wrote a note to his followers on Instagram, released after his death, in which he asked fans to ‘please accept’ his ‘apology for not going public with’ his secret, six-year cancer battle.
‘It’s so special that we were able to spend that time with him, and for what turned out to be his last film,’ Sandra said of her time with Paul; seen with Awkwafina in Quiz Lady
Awkwafina agreed, calling it a ‘cool day’ on set and revealed that the role for the actor — best known for playing PeeWee Herman — was part of the storyline from the start; Paul as Pee Wee Herman in 1980
‘I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you,’ he concluded in his statement on Instagram.
Reubens created the beloved Pee-wee Herman with the late Phil Hartman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and his 1985 movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
That led to his hit TV series Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991, along with the 1988 movie Big-Top Pee-wee.
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