John Paragon, the actor who made famous the phrase “Mekka Lekka Hi, Mekka Hiney Ho” as Jambi the Genie on the Saturday morning children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” died on April 3, 2021.

Paul Reubens, the actor who played Pee-wee Herman, mourned Paragon’s passing with a message to his website on June 18.

Other than “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” Paragon played other comedic roles in his career, including parts in the TV shows “Seinfeld” and “Elvira,” the latter featuring a macabre comedy character played by fellow Groundlings alum Cassandra Peterson.