Comedy legend Paul Reubens, best known for portraying Pee-wee Herman, the childlike protagonist of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Emmy-winning show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, reportedly passed away last night due to respiratory failure. He was 70 years old.

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” wrote Reubens in a statement posted to Instagram after his death. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”