Paul Reubens, the actor and comedian who created and portrayed the character Pee-wee Herman, who became a fixture of children's television and movies with his red bow tie and impish antics, died July 30 at a hospital in Los Angeles. He was 70.

A longtime publicist, Kelly Bush Novak, confirmed his death and said the cause was cancer.

"Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years," Mr. Reubens had said in a statement distributed by his publicist. "I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you."