Inside Pee-wee Herman star Paul Reubens' sinister scandals that threatened to destroy his wholesome on-screen image - from an arrest for public masturbation to involvement in a child PORN probe

Paul has passed away at age 70 following a six-year battle with cancer

He was arrested for masturbating in a movie theater in 1991, which he denied

The actor was also accused of possessing child pornography in 2002

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.

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.

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