Inside Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens' sinister scandals that threatened to destroy his wholesome

The name Pee-wee Herman conjures up many a happy image for his millions of fans – goofy jokes, a beaming smile, a bright red bow tie and an obnoxious laugh. The epitome of innocence and childhood humor. 

But while the fictional children’s character is synonymous with wholesome humor, the man behind him was, it turns out, anything but pure and perfect. 

In the role of Pee-wee, actor Paul Reubens – who passed away today at the age of 70 following a secret six-year battle with cancer – brought joy to millions of children during the 80s. 

But behind the scenes, the iconic on-screen star had several very scandalous skeletons in his closet that threatened to destroy the oh-so honorable image that he spent so many years cultivating.  

Paul, a self-proclaimed ‘oddball,’ crafted his Pee-wee persona during college while he was working part-time as a stand-up comedian, after spending years feeling like he didn’t fit in. 

Pee-wee went on to inspire a hilarious HBO special, a wildly popular CBS children’s show, multiple stage tours, and two smash hit movies – and by the mid-’80s, his face was everywhere.

Paul Reubens, who created and starred as Pee-wee Herman, passed away today at age 70 following a six-year battle with cancer

While many will remember him for the laughter that he created for kids all across the globe, his career was continuously overshadowed by a slew of disturbing accusations

It was on backpacks, T-shirts, and posters hung all over kids’ bedrooms, but rather than basking in the success, Paul decided to keep his identity a secret – doing press only as Pee-wee and refusing to reveal his real name.

But in 1991, the wholesome image that Paul had spent years curating was ripped apart after he was arrested for allegedly masturbating in a public movie theater – leaving many to wonder if he had kept his true self hidden from the world because he was hiding a very dark secret.

The actor and comedian fiercely denied the accusations – later claiming the he had ‘experts’ that could prove he was not participating in the crude act – and eventually plead no contest to indecent exposure, which avoided a charge on his record.

As the world comes to grips with Paul’s passing, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped his many ups and downs

In the aftermath of the bombshell case, CBS canceled all re-runs of his show and Toys R Us removed his toys from their shelves – and while his loyal fans stood by him, organizing rallies to show their support, the damage was done and Paul spent much of the next decade living a much-quieter life out of the spotlight.

Then, in 2002, he became the subject of even more scandal when police claimed they found dozens of child pornography images and memorabilia in his home. 

He has insisted, however, that they were simply pieces of ‘historical art’ and that they were not ‘used for any kind of sexual purpose,’ insisting, ‘I may be weird, but I’m not a pedophile.’

The child porn charges were ultimately dropped, in exchange for Paul pleading guilty to a lesser charge of possession of an obscene image.

Despite the numerous allegations against him, Paul was determined to not be remembered by his controversies, stating in an interview years later, ‘This can’t be my final thing. I’m a big believer in the happy ending. I want Pee-wee to have a happy ending.’

In 2009, nearly two decades after the character was put to rest, Pee-wee did indeed get his happy ending. Paul reprised the role for a stage show that was immensely popular, which was followed up with a Netflix holiday special a few years later.

Now, as the world comes to grips with the star’s passing, FEMAIL went ahead and recapped his many ups and downs.

A character born from his internal struggles: Paul created Pee-wee Herman after spending years feeling like an ‘oddball’ – and became obsessed with finding success after being turned down by SNL

Self-proclaimed ‘oddball’ Paul (seen in high school in 1970), who grew up in Oneonta, New York, created Pee-wee Herman while in college

After high school, the actor (seen in 1980) moved to California to attend the California Institute of Arts and began performing at local comedy clubs 

Paul, who grew up in Oneonta, New York, fell in love with entertaining at a young age, after he found solace in visiting the circus after feeling like an ‘oddball’ for years.

After high school, he moved to California to attend the California Institute of Arts and began performing at local comedy clubs. 

Paul has said of the child-like character, ‘I always viewed Pee-Wee Herman as somebody with a really good heart, but like, you know, didn’t have a clue about a lot of things. Somebody who was truly naïve and was trying to do the best he could do, but it didn’t always come out like that’

He soon joined the improv team The Groundlings, and it was during his time with them that he created Pee-wee Herman – a fun-loving and child-like man who would go on to become one of the most beloved children’s characters of all time. 

Paul himself described the persona as a ‘bad comic who you would never expect to make it.’

In response to an outlet who said Pee-wee gave them the ‘willies,’ Paul told NBC News in 2004, ‘I always viewed Pee-Wee Herman as somebody with a really good heart, but like, you know, didn’t have a clue about a lot of things.

‘Somebody who was truly naïve and was trying to do the best he could do, but it didn’t always come out like that.

‘I don’t know if I can view Pee-wee as someone that would give you the willies. I mean maybe that’s because he’s certainly part of me. Part of me is like Pee-wee Herman.’

In 1980, Paul auditioned for a role on Saturday Night Live, but when it went to Gilbert Gottfried instead, it’s been said that he used his frustration as fuel to turn Pee-wee Herman into a worldwide phenomenon.

He got to work on penning the Pee-wee Herman HBO special with the late Phil Hartman, which premiered a year later, and it was an instant success.

The Pee-wee Herman HBO special premiered in 1981, and was an instant success. It was followed by the hit movie Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (seen) in 1985

 It was followed by a sequel called Big-Top Pee-wee in 1988, as well as CBS cartoon show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which aired from 1986 until 1990 (seen)

And while one would have thought that the show would have propelled Paul into the spotlight, it actually did quite the opposite as the actor decided to keep his identity a secret at first.

He did all media and press appearances in character as Pee-wee, and the mystery surrounding who the man behind the children’s character really was only made him more famous. 

In the years that followed, Paul also traveled the country participating in live performances as Pee-wee and released the smash box office hit movie Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, which made nearly $50 million domestically.

It was followed by a sequel called Big-Top Pee-wee in 1988, as well as the CBS cartoon show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which aired from 1986 until 1990.

The character went on to inspire a slew of toys, clothes, posters, lunchboxes, and other merchandise, generating more than $25 million during its peak in 1988. 

It’s been reported that Paul went through great lengths to ensure that Pee-wee was a positive role model for kids – refusing to endorse unhealthy junk food and making sure he never got photographed with a cigarette, despite being a heavy smoker.

The dark side to the beloved children’s character: The wholesome image that Paul had spent years curating was ripped apart after he was arrested for allegedly masturbating in a public movie theater

In 1991, the wholesome image that Paul had spent years curating suddenly got ripped apart when he got arrested for allegedly masturbating in a public movie theater in Sarasota, Florida

Paul (seen in 1980) was charged with indecent exposure. He pleaded no contest – which avoided a charge on his record – and he was sentenced to 75 hours of community service

But in 1991, the wholesome image that Paul had spent years curating suddenly got ripped apart when he got arrested for allegedly masturbating in a public movie theater in Sarasota, Florida. 

He was charged with indecent exposure after undercover police officers caught him participating in the crude act while watching a triple feature of the X-rated movies Catalina Five-O: Tiger Shark, Nurse Nancy, and Turn up the Heat.

According to the Associated Press, he told the arresting officers that he was Pee-wee Herman and offered to do a ‘children’s benefit for the sheriff’s office’ in exchanged for them ‘taking care of this.’ 

Paul denied the charges in a statement made by his representative. He pleaded no contest – which avoided a charge on his record – and he was sentenced to 75 hours of community service.

‘No experience like this has a positive impact on anyone, but this was an excellent resolution,’ his lawyer said afterwards. 

At the time, it was also brought to light that he had been arrested years prior, in 1971, for ‘loitering and prowling’ near an adult bookstore, but the charges were eventually dropped, Newsweek reported.

He was also taken into custody in 1983, when he was 18, for possession of marijuana, and received two years probation.

In his first appearance following the incident, Paul took to the stage to introduce the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards as Pee-wee, and he was met with a standing ovation from the audience

‘Heard any good jokes lately? So funny, I forgot to laugh,’ he said. He then addressed the crowd, adding, ‘Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me’

Following the movie theater incident, the star faced immense backlash from the public.

Toys ‘R’ Us removed all of its Pee-wee Herman toys from its shelves and CBS canceled the re-runs of Pee-wee’s Playhouse that it had planned to air that year.

But it was far from the end of Pee-wee’s long-lasting legacy. The character’s loyal fans quickly rallied around Paul, holding protests in Los Angeles and New York in an outcry to try to get his show back on CBS.

Some of his celebrity pals also spoke out in his defense, including Bill Cosby, Cindy Lauper, and Joan Rivers. 

In his first appearance following the incident, Paul took to the stage to introduce the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards as Pee-wee, and he was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

‘Heard any good jokes lately? So funny, I forgot to laugh,’ he said, which received an even louder cheer. He then addressed the crowd, adding, ‘Thank you so much, that really means a lot to me.’

When asked about it in 2004 by NBC, he said, ‘I maintained at the time that it didn’t happen and I maintain that still.’ 

He called the public’s reaction ‘mortifying,’ explaining, ‘I felt like people were laughing at me. 

‘I’m a professional comedian. I’ve never claimed to able to take it as good as a dish it out, ever. I’m just sensitive.’

The former TV star also reflected on the arrest in 2010 during an interview with Playboy, and he claimed that he had ‘experts’ that could prove he was not masturbating in the theater since the police claimed he was using his ‘nondominant hand’ when they caught him.

‘Had we gone to trial, we had ready an expert from the Masters and Johnson Institute who was going to testify that in 30 years of research on masturbation the institute had never found one person who masturbated with his or her nondominant hand,’ he said. 

‘I’m right-handed, and the police report said I was jerking off with my left hand. That would have been the end of the case right there, proof it couldn’t have been me.’

‘I may be weird, but I’m not a pedophile’: Police claimed they found dozens of photographs in the actor’s home that they characterized as child pornography, but he insisted they were simply works of ‘art’ 

During the ’90s, Paul had small voice roles in movies like Batman Returns and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and appeared in a few episodes of the series Murphy Brown (seen)

It seemed like he was going to make a comeback when he starred in the 2001 drama Blow alongside Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp and received glowing reviews for his performance

While it seemed that Paul still had the public’s support, his reputation was tarnished, and he spent much of the ’90s living a much-quieter life. 

He had small voice roles in movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Batman Returns, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and appeared in a few episodes of the series Murphy Brown.

However, after nearly a decade of staying mostly out of the spotlight, it seemed like he was going to make a comeback when he starred in the 2001 drama Blow alongside Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp and received glowing reviews for his performance.

But in November 2002, police claimed to have discovered more than 70,000 memorabilia items and dozens of photographs that they characterized as child pornography in his home

But in November 2002, police received a tip from a witness in the pornography case against actor Jeffrey Jones and raided Paul’s home – and they claimed to have discovered more than 70,000 memorabilia items and dozens of photographs that they characterized as child pornography.

At the time, his rep denied the allegations, claiming the alleged inappropriate material were simply ‘historical art photography’ pieces. 

The child porn chargers were ultimately dropped in agreement that Paul would plead guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of ‘possession of an obscene image.’

He was fined $100 and received three years’ probation, and during that time, he could not be in the company of minors without their parents’ permission. 

‘I am glad the prosecutors finally dismissed the child pornography charge without me or the taxpayers having to pay for a costly circus-like trial,’ he said in a statement afterwards. 

‘I am disappointed any part of my art collection was ever deemed inappropriate. Taking responsibility by calling a few images in this collection “obscene” and paying a $100 fine seemed like the sanest way to make it end.’

He defended the incident further during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, insisting that while he’s ‘freaky and weird,’ he is not a ‘pedophile.’ 

The child porn chargers were ultimately dropped in agreement that Paul would plead guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of ‘possession of an obscene image.’ He’s seen in 2001

‘You can say that I’m different, that I’m freaky, that I’m weird – you can say lots of stuff about me,’ he told the outlet. 

‘But you can’t say I’m a pedophile. That’s just not a part of who I am. I am not a child pornographer.’

When asked about the images found in his apartment, he said they came from his collections of ‘really camp, kitschy, funny stuff from the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s.’

‘Ninety per cent of anybody off the street who looked at the stuff would burst out laughing and say, “You’re kidding me,”‘ he added.

‘More than three computers – which I still don’t have back – but not one thing was found on any of them. 

‘They took the backup discs for my computers. They took my Palm Pilot and they took my address book. 

‘People should ask themselves, “What do I have in my house? What would I do if the police came with no warning?”‘

While speaking to NBC, Paul said he had collected a series of ‘vintage erotica’ movies and magazines, as well as some ‘photographic studies of teen nudes’ but that he considered it ‘art.’

‘[It was] magazines. photographs. films. Incredible, beautiful stuff that I stand behind,’ he stated. 

Paul (seen in 2010), who has denied both charges, has said he didn’t want to be remembered for his alleged scandals, telling NBC in 2004, ‘I don’t know what the ending is to my story’

‘I wasn’t really thinking to myself, wow this is my creepy, weird stuff that I shouldn’t be collecting. It’s not titillating. It’s not something that I use for any kind of sexual purpose.

‘I think some of it is erotic. Some of it is sensual. Most of it I don’t view like that. It seems so innocent to me. 

‘You would immediately look at that collection and to tell very, very, very quickly this is not a collection of child pornography. 

‘One photograph for example has a young man with his hand on his thigh. It is close to his genitals, but not even that close. That’s what they’re calling somebody getting ready to perform a sex act.

‘I don’t want anyone for one second to think that I am titillated by images of children. It’s not me.’ 

He also told the publication that he didn’t want to be remembered for his alleged scandals.

‘I spent an awful long time 12 years ago thinking to myself, you know, this can’t be my final thing,’ he concluded. 

‘I’m a big believer in the happy ending. I want a Pee-wee movie to have a happy ending. Pee-wee gets his bicycle back.

‘I don’t know what the ending is to my story. But I think it’s going to be a happy one.’

Not giving up on Pee-wee: Nearly two decades after the character was put to rest amid his numerous scandals, Paul reprised the role for a new stage show followed by a Netflix special 

In 2009, nearly two decades after Pee-wee Herman was put to rest, Paul announced he would be reprising the character in a new version of his stage show. He’s seen in an ad for the shows

Then, in 2016, he returned as Pee-wee one last time in the Netflix Christmas special, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which he also co-wrote and produced. He’s seen promoting it in 2016

After that, Paul landed a few more small appearances in shows like Reno 911!, 30 Rock, and Dirt. 

In 2009, nearly two decades after Pee-wee Herman was put to rest, Paul announced that he would be reprising the character in a new version of his stage show.

‘I just got up one day and felt like I’m gonna come back, that was it,’ he said at the time. 

Paul then put the famous gray suit and red bowtie back on and performed in a series of live shows in Los Angeles and New York.

The comeback show sold over $3 million in advance tickets alone, and was wildly popular. It was also taped for an HBO special, which premiere in March 2010. 

Then, in 2016, he returned as Pee-wee one last time in the Netflix Christmas special, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, which he also co-wrote and produced.

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