Located in Cabazon, an unincorporated community in Riverside County off the 10 Freeway, the 65-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex has been repainted to “wear” Pee-wee Herman’s iconic wardrobe. The dinosaur known as Mr. Rex stands alongside a 150-foot-long brontosaurus statue and together they are a famous roadside attraction.
Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, sports a fresh coat of paint Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in tribute to the late actor Paul Reubens, who was renowned for the Pee-wee Herman character who appeared at the site in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Visitors take a close look at Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. It has been painted to resemble the outfit worn by late actor Paul Reubens’ character, Pee-wee Herman. The dinosaurs were seen in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Visitors to the Cabazon Dinosaurs in Cabazon honor the memory of late actor Paul Reubens with a memorial at the base of Mr. Rex’s feet Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. The dinosaurs appeared in the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which starred Reubens. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)”
Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, seen Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, has been repainted to honor late actor Paul Reubens. His character, Pee-wee Herman, was known for wearing a gray suit and red bow tie. The dinosaurs appeared in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, sports a fresh coat of paint Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in tribute to the late actor Paul Reubens, who was renowned for the Pee-wee Herman character who appeared at the site in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Anna Vin poses in front of Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in Cabazon. The statue has been repainted to salute late actor Paul Reubens, whose character Pee-wee Herman appeared at the site in a 1985 movie. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Visitors to the Cabazon Dinosaurs in Riverside County honor the memory of late actor Paul Reubens with a memorial at the base of Mr. Rex’s feet, seen Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. The dinosaurs appeared in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” which starred Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman character. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, seen Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, displays a fresh coat of paint to pay homage to late actor Paul Reubens. His Pee-wee Herman character visited the site in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Mr. Rex, one of the Cabazon Dinosaurs, seen Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, has been repainted to pay homage to late actor Paul Reubens, whose Pee-wee Herman character visited the site in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
The tribute to Reubens — who died Sunday, July 30, — came about because of the dinosaurs’ cameo in the 1985 film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” In the movie, Herman is chased between the two dinosaurs before he jumps onto a running train.
A red heart with “Pee-wee” written below the heart sits on the T. rex’s chest.
“Pee-wee lives on, just the way he would have wanted … with love, laughter and kindness,” a statement on the Cabazon Dinosaur website states.
The two dinosaurs are regularly painted for specific seasons or holidays. Previously, they’ve been painted as pumpkins, superheroes and, in 2021, were “dressed up” for Valentine’s Day.
Visitors have left flowers and other mementos in memory of Reubens at the feet of one of the dinosaurs.
The tribute is set to run through October, the Cabazon Dinosaur Instagram page states.
