Comedian Paul Rodriguez leaving Hollywood to farm lemons in the Valley

Comedian Paul Rodriguez has been entertaining audiences since the 1980s.

But the funny man who calls Fresno home has fallen on tough financial times.

Right now he says he's nearly broke but he plans to bounce back here in the Valley.

Rodriguez bought a home for his parents in the Dinuba area.

They've since passed but last month the house caught fire while his brother was there.

"There's a cellar that he opened and the flames shot up. Within 30, less than a minute the floor caved in and the whole house was ruined," said Rodriguez.

Sadly the home wasn't insured.

This is the most recent setback for the comedian and actor who has been in nearly 40 movies.

"I had an accountant I was in for 30 years. One day they said I was broke," said Rodriguez. I said what happened to the bonds, the stocks? What happened? They had no explanation."

Rodriguez also discovered he's three years behind paying his taxes.

He's suing his accounting firm and a court date is set for August 2021.

"I don't need anything. I'll survive. I'll come out of this," said Rodriguez. "I really don't know cause I'm kind of embarrassed because I feel foolish."

Rodriguez has a farm to fall back on. He owns 40 acres of lemons in the Dinuba area.

Thirteen years ago he carried the torch for Valley farmers.

He was the leader of the California Latino Water Coalition in its fight for farm water.

It drew national attention from talk show host Sean Hannity.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also supported the movement.

But local water leader Mario Santoyo says it impacted Rodriguez's career.

"He told us that in Hollywood they're very particular in terms of issues actors should get engaged in and what sides they should be on," said Santoyo. "And I know he took a hit for us."

But farmer Rodriguez isn't ready to shed his acting roots.

"I want everybody to know I'm coming home," said Rodriguez. "This is God's will. I want to start a theater company here."

Life has given Paul Rodriguez lemons and this actor-comedian turned farmer is confident down the road his destiny will produce lemonade.