Legendary comedian, 70, arrested for drug possession during routine traffic stop

Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez was arrested on drug possession charges Friday, according to law enforcement sources. 

The 70-year-old entertainer, known for his stand-up comedy and film roles, was pulled over by police in Burbank, California, for a traffic violation, per TMZ.

Details about the specific violation remain unclear, but sources told TMZ that during the stop, officers conducted a search of Rodriguez’s vehicle and allegedly discovered narcotics inside.

Rodriguez was arrested and taken into custody on misdemeanor drug possession charges, though sources say he is expected to be released from jail shortly.

This incident comes amid a challenging period for the comedian. 

In November of last year, Rodriguez’s longtime friend, Donald Serrato, passed away from natural causes while staying at Rodriguez’s Los Angeles home. 

Additionally, in 2021, the comedian underwent quadruple bypass surgery.

Serrato had sold his own home in Torrance and was staying at Rodriguez’ residence in the Los Angeles area for some days before moving to Montana at the time of his death. 

Law enforcement sources said the authorities believe Serrato died of natural causes, and do not suspect drugs or foul play were involved.

At the time, Rodriguez said he felt Serrato’s alleged heavy drinking and smoking – as well as his grief over two bereavements in his family – may have contributed to his demise.

He explained that he left the house at about 6am Thursday to go to a film shoot and then rang Serrato at approximately 12pm to make lunch plans.

However he received no answer to his phone call, so he contacted Serrato’s girlfriend who then visited the house to check in on him, he told TMZ.

Emergency services responded by visiting Rodriguez’ home and finding Serrato, whom they pronounced dead on the scene.

Rodriguez, who was born in Sinaloa before immigrating to Compton with his family, has been a comedian for more than four decades. 

He is a regular on the stand-up circuit, and is one of the elite group of comedians whose photos are on the wall of the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Early in his career, Rodriguez even led the cast of his own sitcom a.k.a. Pablo in 1984, thought it was canceled after six episodes.

Over the years, fans have seen him on top television programs including The Golden Girls, Touched By An Angel and The Twilight Zone. 

He has also lent his voice to cartoons like King Of The Hill, Dora The Explorer and The Proud Family, and the animated film Cats & Dogs: The Return Of Kitty Galore.

Rodriguez has featured in live-action movies like the 2002 Clint Eastwood film Blood Work and the 2021 release Clifford The Big Red Dog. 

His son is a famous skateboarder also called Paul Rodriguez, who goes by P-Rod on social media and boats over a million followers on Instagram.