Chris Wedes, the man who delighted Seattle-area children for decades as the star clown on "The J.P. Patches Show," has died. He was 84.

A family friend who answered at a phone number listed for Wedes said he died Sunday morning. The Seattle TV station that aired his show, KIRO-TV, confirmed the death (http://bit.ly/NqOERN).

A cause of death wasn't immediately known. Wedes was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2007.

KIRO began airing the show in 1958 in black and white. At its peak, more than 100,000 viewers tuned in each weekday to watch Wedes as Julius Pierpont Patches, the former star of the Ding-A-Ling Circus who retired to become mayor of Seattle's city dump.

The cast ad-libbed every show rather than using a script, which appealed to kids and adults alike.

The Emmy award-winning show went off the air in September 1981. Wedes remained a fixture at parades, parties, hospitals and community events where he was cheered by baby boomers who watched his show as children.

He last made a public appearance in September 2011, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported ( http://bit.ly/NqOr0U).

He is survived by his wife, daughter and a granddaughter.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

The man who delighted Seattle-area children for decades as the star clown on "The J.P. Patches Show" has died. Chris Wedes was 84.

The Seattle TV station that aired his show, KIRO-TV, said Wedes (WEE'-dus) died Sunday.

A cause of death wasn't immediately known. Wedes was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2007.

KIRO began airing the show in 1958 in black and white. At its peak, more than 100,000 viewers tuned in each weekday to watch Wedes as Julius Pierpont Patches, the former star of the Ding-A-Ling Circus who retired to become mayor of Seattle's city dump.

The Emmy award-winning show went off air in September 1981. Wedes remained a fixture at parades, parties, hospitals and community events where he was cheered by baby boomers who watched his show as children.