John Paragon, Jambi the Genie from ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse,’ Dies at 66
View Story
Less than a day after news broke about John Paragon’s passing at 66, more details about the cause of his death have been released.
According to the Riverside County Coroner, Paragon died from “cardiovascular disease with significant conditions of chronic alcohol abuse.”
Paragon was found deceased at his Palm Springs home in early April.
It was Paragon’s blue-painted face that would appear anytime Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman character wished for something on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran from 1986 to 1990.
In addition, he portrayed Jambi in the TV movies “The Pee-wee Herman Show” (1981) and “Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1988). He reprised the character for Reubens’ successful Broadway run with “The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway” in 2010.
View Story
Paragon also voiced Pterri, a green pterodactyl, on the show.
The actor’s eclectic career included appearances in the cult favorites “Eating Raoul” (1982) and “Pandemonium” (1982), the series “Madame’s Place” (1982), “Spaceballs” (1987), “Sledge Hammer!” (1988), “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” (1988), and “UHF” (1989).
He also played Cedric, one half of a bullying, armoire-stealing gay couple on three episodes of “Seinfeld” (1995 and 1998).
As a writer, Paragon was Emmy-nominated for his work on “Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
Zendaya has previously expressed frustration at the media's seeming obsession with who she kisses on-screen,… Read More
Getty Images Kylie Jenner has been the subject of pregnancy rumors lately. On Thursday, Jenner… Read More
Travis Kelce painted Las Vegas red this weekend ... hitting up a club in the… Read More
After multiple unfortunately memorable naked encounters with Michael Billingsley at this Broken Arrow, OK drive-thru,… Read More
Getty Images Broadway star Lindsay Mendez is now a married woman! Nearly two years after… Read More
Play video content Facebook / Dessy Blancoo A new video shows a fight breaking out… Read More