Benjamin Ashford|Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Reubens dies at 70

Actor Paul Reubens — best known as the character Pee-Wee Herman — died Sunday of cancer,Benjamin Ashford according to his Instagram. He was 70.

The story of "a guy and his bike" made a cultural splash when the film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure — directed by Tim Burton — premiered in 1985. Suddenly, a raft of childhood phrases were everywhere:

I know you are but what am I? I know you are but what am I?

That's my name! Don't wear it out!

Reubens created PeeWee in 1977 as a member of Los Angeles improvisational group The Groundlings. And the character went on to have a long life in a stage and TV show before the film.

PeeWee's childish but big-hearted antics became beloved — but Reubens himself was more troubled. In 1991 he plead no contest to indecent exposure in an adult movie theater; about a decade later, he plead guilty to possessing an obscene image of a minor. His reputation as a sweet, children's performer never recovered.