Lynne Marie Stewart, known for her roles as Miss Yvonne on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” and Charlie Kelly’s mother on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. She was 78 years old.
Stewart’s death was confirmed by her representative, Bette Smith, who revealed that the actress succumbed to a tumor found between her liver and gallbladder. The health concern was discovered in mid-December 2024, barely two months prior to her passing.
“She had just finished filming the movie ‘The Dink’ and ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’,” Smith stated. “That was mid-Dec. She was exhausted, so she went to the doctor, and shockingly, she had a tumor between the liver and gallbladder. She went very quickly.”
The diagnosis was unexpected, coming immediately after Stewart completed her last acting projects. The day before her death, the director of her final film provided a cut for Stewart and her family to preview her last on-screen performance.
“That was so kind, and it was nice for everyone to see her last work,” Smith said. “Lynne was such a talent. All she cared about was the art, not pay or fame. She was the kindest and most honorable person I have ever known.”
Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson, fellow actress and friend, initially shared the news of Stewart’s passing on social media. Peterson fondly remembered Stewart as one of the kindest, sweetest, and funniest people she had ever met. She noted Stewart’s iconic role as Miss Yvonne from Pee-wee’s Playhouse, and added that Stewart would always be remembered as “the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.”
Born in 1946 in Los Angeles, California, Stewart started her acting career in the early 1970s. Her first on-screen role was in the 1971 film “Drive, He Said.” Over the next six decades, she built an impressive career, with nearly 150 credits in film, television, and voice acting.
In the 1970s, Stewart joined the influential Los Angeles-based comedy troupe The Groundlings. There, she met Paul Reubens, the creator and performer of the Pee-wee Herman character, leading to one of her most memorable roles.
Stewart first portrayed the character of Miss Yvonne in the 1981 stage production of “The Pee-wee Herman Show.” She later reprised the role on the CBS television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which aired from 1986 to 1990. Her portrayal of the self-proclaimed “most beautiful woman in Puppetland,” complete with bouffant hair and vibrant dresses, quickly became a fan favorite.
Stewart’s association with the Pee-wee universe extended beyond the TV series. She also appeared in related productions such as “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) and “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988). Apart from Reubens, she was the only person to appear in all three Pee-wee Herman movies and the television series.
Her extensive filmography includes roles in classic films and TV shows such as George Lucas’s “American Graffiti” (1973), “M*A*S*H” (1975-1977), “Laverne & Shirley” (1977-1983), and “Arrested Development” (2004).
In recent years, she was recognized by a new generation of viewers for her recurring role as Bonnie Kelly, Charlie Day’s mother, in the FX/FXX series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” She appeared in 18 episodes of the show from 2005 to 2023.
Upon hearing news of her passing, former colleagues and co-stars paid tribute. Mary Elizabeth Ellis, who also starred on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” shared her thoughts on social media: “This woman. So lovely, so funny… I can’t believe I got to know and work with her after falling for her as a child watching Peewee.”
Stewart’s death happened less than a year after the passing of her longtime friend and colleague Paul Reubens, who died in July 2023 following a private battle with cancer. The two performers had maintained a close friendship throughout their careers.
Besides her acting, Stewart was known for her philanthropic work. She and Reubens were active with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, often appearing as Miss Yvonne and Pee-wee to bring joy to terminally ill children.
Stewart, who never married or had children, is survived by her sister Gayle.
