Lynne Marie Stewart

Lynne Marie Stewart (December 14, 1946 – February 21, 2025) was an American actress born in Lynwood, California, who built a career across stage, television, and film spanning several decades. She studied theater arts at Los Angeles City College, where she formed a lasting friendship with actress Cindy Williams. In the 1970s, Stewart became a member of The Groundlings, the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe, where she first encountered both Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman.

Stewart is best remembered for originating the role of Miss Yvonne, billed as "the Most Beautiful Woman in Puppet Land," a character she first brought to life in the 1981 stage production The Pee-wee Herman Show. The character, known for her large brown bouffant wig, gaudy dresses, and flirtatious behavior toward Pee-wee and other male characters, became a fixture of the franchise. Stewart reprised the role on the CBS children's television series Pee-wee's Playhouse and later in the 2010 Los Angeles stage revival. That same year, she appeared on Broadway when The Pee-wee Herman Show opened in November 2010 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Stewart and Reubens also volunteered with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, appearing in character as Miss Yvonne and Pee-wee for terminally ill children. The two remained close friends until Reubens' death in 2023, with Stewart present at his side shortly before he died.

Beyond the Pee-wee franchise, Stewart accumulated a wide range of television credits. She played several different nurses on M*A*S*H and appeared in multiple roles on Laverne & Shirley. She provided Shirley's voice for the Saturday morning animated series Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour and Laverne & Shirley in the Army. Her television work also included an appearance on Alice, a nun role in a season six episode of The Golden Girls, and guest spots on Disney Channel series Austin & Ally and Good Luck Charlie in 2011. She collaborated with Tracey Ullman on HBO and Showtime specials, including Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales and Tracey Ullman's State of the Union. Stewart also appeared in the series Raising Hope, Marvin Marvin, and Comedy Bang! Bang!

Beginning in 2005, Stewart took on the recurring role of Bonnie Kelly, mother of Charlie Kelly, on the FX and FXX series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a part she held until her death in 2025, accumulating 19 episode appearances. The Season 17 finale, which marked her final appearance as Bonnie, aired posthumously and was dedicated to her memory.

Stewart's film credits include a small role as Bobbie in the 1973 film American Graffiti, in which her character drives the car that picks up Curt, played by Richard Dreyfuss. She also appeared in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Big Top Pee-wee, The Running Man, and the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids. In 2011, she appeared at the Surflight Theatre in New Jersey in an all-female production of The Odd Couple alongside Cindy Williams and Jo Anne Worley.

Stewart never married and had no children. She died in Los Angeles on February 21, 2025, at the age of 78, from cancer that had been found near her liver and gallbladder.