Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 14, 2025 · Entertainment

Comedy Icon Paul Rodriguez Arrested Amid Drug Possession Scandal

The comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez, 70, has been at a restaurant in Burbank, California, after officers allegedly found drugs in his car, police told NBC4 Los Angeles on Wednesday; pictured January 23 in LA

SCANDAL ROCKS HOLLYWOOD: Paul Rodriguez Arrested Again for Drugs, Denies Ownership (Again!)

In a shocking turn of events, beloved comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez has been arrested yet again for alleged possession of controlled substances. This latest scandal has left fans reeling and wondering what's going on behind the scenes of this Hollywood icon.

According to sources close to the investigation, Rodriguez was pulled over by police at an Islands restaurant in Burbank, California, after they responded to a welfare check on a woman who was with him. The police allegedly found Xanax and what appeared to be fentanyl in his car, leading them to arrest him on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of narcotics.

He was arrested on Monday after officers searched the vehicle and allegedly found Xanax, as well as what they suspected was fentanyl. Police said Rodriguez denied that the drugs reportedly discovered during his latest arrest belonged to him; seen in 2021 in West Hollywood

But here's the twist: Rodriguez has once again denied that the drugs belonged to him! He claimed that he had no idea where they came from and that the woman with him must have been responsible. Sound familiar? This is actually the second time this year that Rodriguez has been arrested for alleged drug possession, and he's denied it both times!

In March, he was arrested on similar charges after police pulled him over for a traffic violation. At the time, he claimed that the officer had slapped him in the face to wake him up and that the woman behind the wheel must have owned the drugs. He even accused the officer of being on a "power trip"! The City Attorney eventually dropped the charges due to insufficient evidence, but now it seems like Rodriguez is facing similar trouble once more.

Rodriguez's reps have yet to comment on this latest scandal, but we're sure they'll be speaking up soon. After all, his fans are already rallying around him on social media, defending him against allegations of substance abuse. It's clear that Paul Rodriguez is a beloved figure in Hollywood, and many people are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Officers were reportedly called to an Islands restaurant in Burbank for a wellness check on a woman accompanying Rodriguez. She was arrested, and police then arrested him after searching their car; pictured in May 2024 in Pasadena, Calif.

But what's really going on behind closed doors? We know that Rodriguez has been through some tough times recently, including the tragic loss of his friend Donald Serrato last year. Serrato passed away at Rodriguez's Los Angeles home, and while authorities ruled it a natural death, friends and family have spoken about how hard Rodriguez took it.

Rodriguez himself even hinted that Serrato's lifestyle might have contributed to his passing, citing his heavy drinking and smoking habits as potential factors. It's no secret that the comedy world can be tough on its stars, with high pressure and long hours taking a toll on their mental and physical health.

So what do you think? Is Paul Rodriguez telling the truth about these alleged drugs, or is there more to this story than meets the eye? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records, Rodriguez was booked shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday and released after 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning with a citation; pictured at the Laugh Factory's free Thanksgiving dinner in 2021 in West Hollywood

A Career Spanning Four Decades: A Look Back at Paul Rodriguez's Timeless Success

Rodriguez has been a fixture on the comedy circuit for over 40 years, entertaining audiences with his witty observations and infectious charm. From stand-up gigs to sitcoms, films, and even voice acting roles, he's done it all!

We're talking about a man who led the cast of his own sitcom "a.k.a. Pablo" back in '84 (albeit for only six episodes), made appearances on beloved shows like "The Golden Girls," "Touched By An Angel," and "The Twilight Zone," not to mention hosting "The Newlywed Game" in 1988!

The comedian was arrested for misdemeanor drug possession after a traffic stop in March, but charges were later dropped. Rodriguez claimed the stop was racially motivated and accused an officer of slapping him in the face; seen in September in Pasadena

He's also lent his voice to some of the most iconic cartoons out there, including "King Of The Hill," "Dora The Explorer," "The Proud Family," and even an animated film or two! And let's not forget about his roles in Oscar-nominated films like "Ali" (starring Will Smith) and "Blood Work" (directed by none other than Clint Eastwood)!

With a career spanning multiple decades, it's no wonder that Paul Rodriguez is considered one of the elite comedians whose photos are proudly displayed on the wall at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles!

The performer's arrests come amid a difficult period for him. In March, he suffered a tragedy when his longtime friend, Donald Serrato, died from natural causes while staying at his LA home. The comedy also underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2021; seen in 1998

Rodriguez is a popular stand-up comedian who is also known for briefly hosting The Newlywed Game, as well as appearing in films, including Clint Eastwood's thriller Blood Work, the Will Smith–starring biopic Ali and the comedy Rat Race, among others; seen in 1994 in LA

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