LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA: Paul Reubens, who played Pee-wee Herman on television, has filed a lawsuit against a memorabilia auctioneer, alleging that items he had lent from his venerable show were used improperly and even sold without his knowledge. According to TMZ, on Tuesday, the 70-year-old performer, who has played the legendary role since 1977, has filed a lawsuit against James Comisar and his memorabilia business The Comisar Collection.
Reubens contends in the case that several vintage, recognizable items from his successful television program 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' had been removed and used against his will. The celebrity asserted that he loaned Comisar several artifacts from the series, according to legal paperwork that TMZ received. The Dog Chair, Floory puppets, and Mr Window were among the accessories, along with cue cards and autographed pictures.
Where is Pee Wee Herman now?
Paul Reubens and the late Phil Hartman created the popular Pee-wee Herman, which led to an HBO special in 1981 and, eventually, his 1985 film 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'. This resulted in his hit TV series 'Pee-wee's Playhouse', which aired from 1986 to 1991, as well as the 1988 film 'Big-Top Pee-wee'.
Although the 70-year-old star was born and raised in Florida and New York, he currently doesn't reside there. Reubens reportedly spent his 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' money on the house he currently resides in, and which he has done for nearly 40 years, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's likely that he doesn't reside in a vast, opulent estate in the Hollywood Hills, but rather a more common house in Los Angeles, given that he also drives a basic Honda Accord. Reubens revealed in an interview with Los Angeles Magazine how much he loves his adopted city of Los Angeles. At that point, he opened up about 'The Witch's House of Beverly Hills', one of his all-time favorite homes. "I've taken 100 people there in the last year," he revealed. "When I saw it was up for sale a few years ago, I went inside. I'm obsessed with it."
Reubens' social media activity does not provide any information regarding his private life. The 70-year-old uploaded a video of a young child bowing to a deer in a Japanese park in a recent Instagram post. According to the comments, it was Nara Park. He wrote in the caption, "Even the deer are polite in Japan! (unknown source)
Why did he retire from Hollywood?
When Reubens was arrested in 1991 for exposing himself during a pornographic film in a Sarasota, Florida, theater, his career was put on hold. He entered a no-contest plea and received a fine and a community service requirement, but his days as Pee-wee Herman and his children's television program were over, as per EW. He continued to work despite his legal issues, making appearances in guest spots on shows including 'Reno 911!', '30 Rock', 'Pushing Daisies', 'The Blacklist', and 'Dirt' throughout the 2000s. Additionally, he has established himself as a consistent voice actor, lending his talents to 'The Smurfs' films and television shows including 'Batman: The Brave and the Bold', 'Adventure Time', 'Kung-Fu Panda', 'Star Wars Rebels', 'American Dad', 'Voltron', and others. Additionally, he has lent his voice to video games including Call of Duty and Minecraft, as per reports.
What was his last movie?
Reubens has recently appeared on television in roles on 'Gotham', 'The Conners', and 'What We Do in the Shadows', as well as appearances on 'Celebrity Family Feud' and 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune'.
What is the lawsuit about?
James Comisar told TMZ, "I am sad to learn that Mr Reubens has resorted to the threat of a lawsuit to improperly seek the return of items that he simply does not own. In addition to those items personally given to me by Mr. Reubens in lieu of sending them to the landfill, without conditions or promises, Mr Reubens seeks the return of material that was the property of film studios, production companies, and individual creators — none of which he is entitled to." He added, "Over the ensuing three decades, I have cared for, conserved, and preserved these items at my considerable expense — and with Mr Reubens’ complete and continual knowledge of their whereabouts. Beyond his baseless accusations, Mr Reubens has simply not shown that any of these items are his property."
Reuben was under the impression that the props would someday be kept in a 'Museum of Television' for public viewing, but he was also given the assurance that he could always get them back, the lawsuit states. The comedian, however, afterward realized there was no museum at all and that Comisar had kept the objects for his personal collection. He continued by asserting that Comisar kept the props after he had sought their return, claiming that he and his business had been "gifted" them. Reubens continued by alleging that Comisar went on to sell the disputed objects at an auction and retained the proceeds for himself.
The 70-year-old star feels that the problem may be resolved in court and has asked a judge to issue an order declaring that he is entitled to immediate possession of the items or $1 million if they cannot be recovered from customers who acquired them at auction. According to TMZ, Reubens is also seeking an injunction to prevent the sale of any remaining products.
