Actor John Paragon, Known for Role on 'Pee-wee''s 'Playhouse', Dies at 66

Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Actor John Paragon, known best for his role as Jambi the Genie onPee-wee’s Playhouse, has died. He was 66.

Paragon died in April, the Riverside County Coroner’s Office confirms to PEOPLE. His cause of death is not clear at this time.

A rep for Paragon did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Paragon then played the role of Jambi the Genie onPee-wee’s Playhousefrom 1986 to 1990. He also wrote and directed several episodes of the children’s show, including the 1988Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special,which together earned him five Emmy nominations over the years.

In 2010, Paragonreprised the roleof Jambi once again for the Broadway revival of thePee-wee Hermanstage show.

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On Thursday, The Groundlings retweeted a photo of the actor next to a poster of his character Jambi the Genie, writing “R.I.P John Paragon.”

Paragon also appeared in several other television shows, includingCheers, Seinfeld, andElvira’s Movie Macabre, on which he played the recurring role of “The Breather.” He also co-write the film spinoff,Elvira: Mistress of the Dark.

His other film credits includeHoney I Blew Up the Kid, Echo Park,andThe Frog Prince.

More recently, Paragon worked with Walt Disney Imagineering to find ways to incorporate improv performances into attractions at the theme parks, according tohis biographyon The Groundlings' website.

source: people.com