(Originally published by the Daily News on July 28, 1991.)
SARASOTA, Fla. — Children’s television star Pee-wee Herman was arrested and charged with exposing himself inside an adult theater, authorities said yesterday.
The star of “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse,” whose real name is Paul Reubens, was arrested Friday night after undercover detectives raided the South Trail Cinema, a Sarasota County sheriff’s affidavit.
Reubens was observed exposing himself and a detective arrested him in the lobby, the affidavit said. The theater was showing the movie “Nancy Nurse,” Turn Up the Heat” and “Tiger Shark.”
Reubens, 38, who lives in Studio City, Calif., was charged with exposure of a sexual organ. He was released from county jail Friday night after posting $219 bond. Three others were arrested on similar charges.
If convicted of the misdemeanor, Reubens would face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, said Lt. Bill Stookey, a Sarasota County sheriff’s spokesman.
Reubens’ Sarasota lawyer, Dan Dannheiser, said his client would not comment. But he said the charge would wreck Reuben’s career.
“He does a lot of things with kids over the world, and his career will be over when the story runs,” Dannheiser told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Dannheiser said Reubens had been in town vacationing. He added that detectives did not realize they had arrested a celebrity until after Ruebens was taken to jail, where he voluntarily told them.
“I don’t know why he did that,” Dannheiser said.
Reubens’ Saturday morning comedy show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” has won Emmy awards and wide audiences among children, adolescents and even some adults attracted to the manic, nerdy character he plays. CBS recently canceled the show.
At first the character was more risque than the one he has played since an HBO cable television show popularized Pee-wee in 1982 and CBS picked it up.
The original character, for example, would look up girl’s skirts with the aid of mirrors attached to his shoes.
The character also appeared in the film’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.”
Published via News wire services
