Lynne Marie Stewart

Lynne Marie Stewart
Stewart in 2016
Born(1946-12-14)December 14, 1946
Lynwood, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 2025(2025-02-21) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1967–2025
Signature

Lynne Marie Stewart (December 14, 1946 – February 21, 2025) was an American actress,[1][2] widely known for her performance as Miss Yvonne,[3] "the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppet Land." She originated the role in the 1981 stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show, continuing it on the CBS television show Pee-wee's Playhouse, the 2010 Los Angeles stage revival, and the Broadway production which opened in November 2010 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.[4] Stewart was also known for her recurring role on the FX/FXX television series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Charlie Kelly's mother Bonnie.[5][4]

Early life

Stewart was born in Lynwood, California, on December 14, 1946.[6] Stewart majored in theater arts at Los Angeles City College, where she met her best friend, Cindy Williams.[7][6]

Career

Stewart was a member of The Groundlings in the 1970s, and met both Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman there.[8][9]

Stewart played several different nurses on the television series M*A*S*H.[10] She had a small part in the 1973 film American Graffiti as Bobbie, who drove the car of girls who pick up Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) in one scene.[11] She played a variety of characters on Laverne & Shirley.[10] She provided Shirley's voice in the Saturday morning cartoon Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour and Laverne & Shirley in the Army.[12] She worked with Tracey Ullman in specials for HBO and Showtime, including Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales and Tracey Ullman's State of the Union.[10][7][13] Stewart appeared on Alice (American TV series) S2.E5 episode titled "Single Belles". She played a nun in a season six episode of The Golden Girls.[14]

She was part of the cast of Pee-wee's Playhouse as Miss Yvonne "the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppet Land". Her character was especially flirty and known for providing steamy adult-like humor to the children's show.[15] Miss Yvonne's character was a woman obsessed with beauty and cosmetics, who often flirts with Pee-wee and many of the other male characters on the show. Miss Yvonne is given the title "the most beautiful woman in Puppetland" by the puppet characters (especially Mr. Window who would usually introduce her). She wears a large brown bouffant-style wig that she doesn't like getting wet, gaudy dresses, and heels. She originated the role in the 1981 stage show The Pee-wee Herman Show, continuing it on the CBS television show Pee-wee's Playhouse, the 2010 Los Angeles stage revival, and the Broadway production which opened in November 2010 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.[4]

Stewart was featured in Pee-wee's Big Adventure and Big Top Pee-wee. She appeared in films including The Running Man, Night Stand with Dick Dietrick, and Son of the Beach.[10][16][17] She appeared in the 2011 film Bridesmaids

She appeared in Raising Hope, Marvin Marvin, Comedy Bang! Bang!.[18] She guest-starred on Disney TV shows, including Austin & Ally and Good Luck Charlie in 2011.[19] Also in 2011, at the Surflight Theatre, in New Jersey, she appeared in an all-female version of The Odd Couple, starring Cindy Williams and Jo Anne Worley.[20]

Beginning in 2005 and until 2023, Stewart had a guest role as Charlie's mom, Bonnie Kelly, on the long-running, critically acclaimed series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, appearing in a total of 18 episodes.[4][21]

Personal life and death

Stewart was never married nor had children. She and Reubens were active participants with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and often appeared in character as Miss Yvonne and Pee-wee to bring happiness to terminally ill children. She and Reubens remained "the closest of friends" until Reubens' death in 2023, with Stewart attending to Reubens shortly before he died.[22]

Stewart died in Los Angeles on February 21, 2025, at the age of 78 from cancer, which was found near her liver and gallbladder.[23][24][25]

References

  1. ^ Monush, Barry (February 1, 2000). John Willis Screen World 1995: With Full Color Highlights of the Film Year. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 79–. ISBN 9781557832337. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  2. ^ Wittebols, James H. (September 1, 2003). Watching M*A*S*H, Watching America: A Social History of the 1972-1983 Television, American Graffiti 1973, played Bobbie, Series. McFarland. pp. 193–. ISBN 9780786417018. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. ^ Bellomo, Mark (January 1, 2012). Totally Tubular '80s Toys. Krause Publications. pp. 445–. ISBN 9781440216466. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d Jones, Kenneth (August 31, 2010). "Casting Complete for Broadway's Pee-wee Herman Show; Lynne Marie Stewart Is Miss Yvonne". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  5. ^ Garner, Glenn (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart Dies: 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' & 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' Actress Was 78". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Ruberg, Sara (February 24, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, Miss Yvonne on 'Pee-wee's Playhouse,' Dies at 78". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Stahl, Jay (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' actress, dies at 78 after 'unexpected' illness". USA Today. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  8. ^ Cristi, A.A. (May 1, 2020). "Groundlings Theatre Brings Even More Streaming Content To Your Home". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  9. ^ Morgan, David (November 2, 2014). "Notable alumni of the Groundlings improv troupe". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c d Coates, Lauren (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' Actor, Dies at 78". Variety. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  11. ^ Berman, Marc (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart: Remembering The 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse' And 'It's Always Sunny Philadelphia' Actress". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "Lynne Marie Stewart, "Pee-wee's Playhouse" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" actress, dies at 78". Yahoo Entertainment. Entertainment Weekly. February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  13. ^ Shayo, Lukas (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, Comedian & It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Star, Dies At 78". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sophia? – The Golden Girls (Season 6, Episode 8)". Apple TV. November 10, 1990. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  15. ^ Levine, Adam (August 2, 2023). "Things Only Adults Notice In Pee-Wee's Playhouse". Looper. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Thomas, Carly (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' and 'It's Always Sunny' Actress, Dies at 78". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "It's Always Sunny and Pee-Wee Herman star Lynne Marie Stewart dies aged 78". Metro. February 22, 2025. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  18. ^ "Actress Lynne Marie Stewart dead aged 78". Yahoo News. Bang Showbiz. February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Roberts, Jamie; Oldfield, Paige (February 22, 2025). "Tragedy as It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Lynne Marie Stewart dies age 78". Yahoo News. Manchester Evening News.
  20. ^ Gioia, Michael (August 3, 2011). "Jo Anne Worley and Cindy Williams Star in Surflight's The Odd Couple; Complete Cast Announced". Playbill. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  21. ^ MacAulay, Jessica (February 23, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Pee-wee's Playhouse" actor, dies at age 78 - CBS Philadelphia". CBS News. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  22. ^ Cramer, Alex; Mangalindan, JP (July 30, 2024). "'Pee-wee's Playhouse' Alum Lynne Marie Stewart Recalls Meaningful Last Visit with Paul Reubens Before His Death (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Ruberg, Sara (February 24, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, Miss Yvonne on 'Pee-wee's Playhouse,' Dies at 78". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  24. ^ "Miss Yvonne of 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse,' Lynne Marie Stewart, Dies at 78". Extra TV. February 21, 2025. Archived from the original on February 22, 2025. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  25. ^ Thomas, Carly (February 22, 2025). "Lynne Marie Stewart, 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' and 'It's Always Sunny' Actress, Dies at 78". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
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