Lynne Marie Stewart dies at 78: All you need to know about the TV icon

Lynne Marie Stewart, comedy actress best known for her role on CBS’ Pee-wee's Playhouse, passed away on February 21 at the age of 78. The news of Stewart’s death was broken on Instagram by some of her colleagues and friends in the industry.

Improv artist Laraine Newman penned a tribute on Instagram, emphasizing Stewart’s lovable and funny nature. Newman wrote,

“The most beautiful girl in Puppetland has left us. Lynne Stewart was truly an angel and brilliantly funny and an important part of our Groundlings family. As my sister said ‘if you don’t love Lynne, you’re just wrong.’”

Cassandra Peterson, known for portraying the character of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, and who appeared recently in Rob Zombie’s The Munsters, also posted a message for the departed Stewart on Instagram. The actress who had called Ariana Grande out on her rudeness last October described her friend Stewart’s kindness. She wrote,

“My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend @lynnestewart78 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.’”

Lynne Marie Stewart’s career, from the Groundlings to Pee-wee's Playhouse

Lynne Marie Stewart was a part of the ‘Groundlings’ sketch and improv group based out of Los Angeles. The group was known for supplying multiple artists who would go on to contribute to the popular sketch show, NBC’s award-winning Saturday Night Live, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Laraine Newman, Stewart’s colleague from the Groundlings, was one of the founders of the troupe as well as a part of the original cast of Saturday Night Live, according to CBS News.

According to their website, the Groundlings was formed in 1972 at the initiative of Gary Austin, who brought performers, theater artists, and comedians together to develop a theater company. The popularity of the Groundlings would explode as they began performing shows across Los Angeles, gaining widespread recognition after being invited to perform on The Lily Tomlin Show.

The Pee-Wee character of Pee-wee's Playhouse developed in the home of the Groundlings. Comedian Paul Reubens, who played the titular character, led the show called The Pee-Wee Herman Show in various performances around the city. Lynne Marie Stewart was a part of the cast at the time of the show’s development.

CBS picked up the show, and the successful five-year-long run of Pee-wee's Playhouse as a children’s TV program began. Lynne Marie Stewart was essential to the recipe of Pee-Wee’s success as his friend and confidante, Miss Yvonne. The title repeated by Stewart’s colleagues in their tributes, that of ‘most beautiful woman in Puppetland,’ originated in her role on the show.

Lynne Marie Stewart’s other roles

Lynne Marie Stewart was also known for her role in the FX sitcom, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She played character Charlie Day’s mother, Bonnie, on the hit show.

After playing a role in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, Stewart returned to her theater roots, producing a one-woman show titled The Queen of Fishtown, which was hosted at the Groundlings on Melrose Avenue. Presenting the chronicle of a 40-year-old woman, Stewart applauded the writer and actress Katierose Donohue Enriquez. Stewart said of the show,

“I just loved it. It has so much heart and so much soul in it. As they say, ‘you’re gonna laugh and you’re gonna cry.’ Katierose is a brilliant actress. You’ll love this one woman show.”

Lynne Marie Stewart was a valued member of the improv community of Los Angeles, who was not only a part of the initial days of the Groundlings but also remained an ardent and committed supporter of rising comedic talent.