SARASOTA -- Paul Reubens' career began in Sarasota, and it almost ended there.
Reubens, the actor known for creating Pee-wee Herman, died Monday at 70 following a private battle with cancer. Reubens moved to the area as a child from Peekskill, New York, with his family. He graduated from Sarasota High School and was a member of the Asolo theater group.
After winning worldwide fame with his character's appearances in two movies and the TV show "Pee-wee's Playhouse," Reubens was involved in an infamous incident at an adult movie theater on the South Tamiami Trail in 1991. Sarasota police arrested Reubens and charged him with indecent exposure. During the arrest, Reubens, who had grown his hair long, blurted out that he was Herman and asked whether he could get a break by agreeing to perform in character.
Reubens ended up pleading no contest to the charge. The controversy brought a halt to his acting career and almost derailed it entirely. He began making appearances in films and TV shows such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Reubens was able to revive Pee-wee on HBO and Broadway.
Reubens received three years probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor obscenity charge involving photographs of minors engaged in sexual conduct, which he said were part of a "vintage" collection.
His social media accounts contained an apology for not telling fans about his six-year struggle with cancer. He asked for donations to Stand Up to Cancer and to charities involved with Alzheimer's and dementia issues.
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