Since Pee-wee Herman delighted audiences with his antics on the big screen, fans have been drawn to his iconic red house. Pee-wee, portrayed by the late Paul Reubens, first appeared as the lovable character in the late 1970s. However, it was the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton, that propelled him and his famous home into stardom. Little did the actual owners of the property, located at 1846 Oxley St. in South Pasadena, Calif., realize that the association with Pee-wee would attract fans from all over the world to pay homage to this unique residence.
“The house has been in our family since 1974,” reveals William (Billy) Young. “After our parents passed away, we decided to renovate it and offer it for rent.” At the age of 62, Young intends to continue renting out the home until he eventually downsizes and moves in himself. However, he has no plans to sell it. The last rental price for the house was $4,600 per month during the previous summer.
Young considers the house a blessing since the release of the 1980s movie. “Our house has been featured on famous movie home websites, and fans have taken countless selfies in front of it,” he explains. Young, who also runs a wedding licensing business in Alhambra, expresses shock upon learning of Reubens’ passing. He shares a story of having a check made out to Reubens on his refrigerator but being unable to deliver it. This personal connection highlights the significance of Reubens’ presence in their lives.
Reflecting on the time when the film was shot at their house, Young fondly recalls a young Tim Burton directing the movie and the peculiar props that adorned their front yard. At the time, they had no knowledge of the Pee-wee Herman character and were unsure about the film’s storyline. When they finally watched the movie, they found it to be hilariously enjoyable. Young marvels at how Google Maps now refers to their home as the Pee-wee Herman house, finding it incredibly amusing.
The historic landmark home, built in 1922, boasts a charming pastel yellow color with a white fence encircling it. The production team approached Young’s parents, Harold and Chia Young, seeking permission to paint the house, assuring them that it would be restored to its original color afterward. However, the result exceeded their expectations, leaving them with a startlingly red house.
Considering the interest Pee-wee’s house generates among fans, Young contemplates transforming it into a short-term rental opportunity once the current tenant moves out. This way, fans would have the chance to experience living in Pee-wee’s iconic home firsthand. Pee-wee quickly gained a devoted cult following, and Reubens dedicated himself entirely to the character for the next decade. He produced and wrote the highly successful film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” in 1985, with a less successful sequel, “Big Top Pee-wee,” following in 1988. From 1986 to 1990, Reubens starred as Pee-wee in the popular CBS Saturday-morning children’s program “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.” Sadly, Reubens passed away from cancer at the age of 70 after keeping his diagnosis hidden for six years.
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