“Will Ferrell filmed here” seems to be the selling point du jour for rental properties in the Pasadena area. First, the Craftsman where the actor shot “A Deadly Adoption” went up for lease. And now, the picturesque residence he called home in the 2017 comedy “The House” was just snatched off the market (but only for a short time – it’ll be available once again come October). What’s next? Frank the Tank’s pad from “Old School”?
Not one of Ferrell’s biggest hits, the reviews for “The House” (currently available to rent on Amazon) are about as jeering as those for “A Deadly Adoption,” with Owen Gleiberman of Variety deeming it “crude, slipshod, tonally uneven” and Joyce Slaton of Common Sense Media calling it “a shame and a waste.” At least the main home used in it is pretty!
The traditional two-story property, which features five bedrooms and five baths spread across two floors, was being offered for a cool $15,000 per month. The listing was held by Neha Jespersen of Deasy Penner Podley. The brokerage is apparently the go-to for Ferrell-filmed properties being that the company is also handling the “A Deadly Adoption” rental.
Located at 1200 Yocum St. in the heart of the affluent Linda Vista community, the residence is just steps from Brookside Golf Club, less than three miles from Old Town Pasadena and within walking distance to the Rose Bowl (the site of the city’s famed monthly flea market, which is finally resuming operation in April!).
With a wide expanse of lawn, a prominent bay window and a handsome brick and clapboard façade, the 1932 dwelling has curb appeal on lock! So it is only natural that the property found its way to the big screen.
-
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The interior is no less idyllic. The custom-built residence, which was offered fully furnished, is loaded with amenities throughout its spacious 4,147 square feet. The open kitchen is a chef’s dream, with double ovens and double warming drawers, a Sub-Zero fridge, a butler’s pantry and a large central island with seating.
-
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The attached family room features an eating area, built-in shelving and a row of French doors leading out to the backyard. You’ll also find a living room, a formal dining room, a powder room, a mudroom and a guest suite on the ground floor.
-
Image Credit: Aerious Plus Up the rounded central staircase are three additional bedrooms, two baths, and a “resort-like” owners’ suite complete with a bay window with seating, a soaking tub and a walk-in closet. The home also boasts two laundry rooms, one on each floor, for the ultimate in convenience.
-
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The ample lot, which feels much larger than its 0.26 acres, sports a built-in outdoor grill, a large expanse of grass, a pool, a spa, a television set-up and a brick patio complete with overhead heaters for those cool Pasadena nights.
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus In “The House,” 1200 Yocum belongs to Scott (Ferrell) and Kate Johansen (Amy Poehler), struggling parents who are shattered to discover the college scholarship their daughter, Alex (Ryan Simpkins), procured is being canceled. Finding themselves unable to pay her tuition, they do what any cash-strapped parents would by opening a neighborhood casino at the home of their fellow cash-strapped friend, Frank (Jason Mantzoukas). As Scott tells Kate, “We’ve tried to play it safe, we’ve tried to play by the rules and it got us nowhere. What do we have to lose?”
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The production made extensive use of the dwelling, which is said to be at 120 Vista Springs Rd. in the fictional town of Fox Meadow somewhere in the tri-state area.
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus Prior to “The House” shoot, the home’s interior walls were finished in a stark white, but the production team swapped out the paint for a cool blue hue which makes faces look better onscreen. Juxtaposed with the dark wood floors, the coloring gives the residence a very upgraded feel. The furnishings, drapery and artwork were also replaced for the film. The homeowners wound up keeping the indigo living room couch used in the shoot, as well as the yellow throw pillows that decorate it. The piece remains in place today, though it is currently positioned differently from how it appeared onscreen.
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The owners’ suite also looked considerably different pre-filming, with a green and red color scheme throughout. It, too, was swathed in the same blue paint that coats the downstairs which, again, only served to boost the look of the space. There is certainly something to be said for a set designer’s touch! (Eagle-eyed readers have likely taken note that the throw pillows displayed on Scott and Kate’s window seat in “The House” remain in position today!)
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus The home’s backyard pops up in several scenes of “The House” but some movie magic was employed there, as well, to render it almost unrecognizable! Not only did the production team bring in string lights and new furniture (which again, the homeowners opted to keep post-filming), but extensive gardening was also done.
-
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures -
Image Credit: Aerious Plus Fake fencing was also brought in to hide the rear portion of the yard, as well as the pool and spa. The result is a much smaller-seeming space, which perhaps better fits with a storyline about a couple facing a financial struggle.
-
Image Credit: 20th Television 1200 Yocum boasts another claim to fame! The property also served as the home of Lindsay (Kether Donohue) and Paul Jillian (Allan McLeod) during the second and third seasons of the FX comedy “You’re the Worst.”
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler’s residence from “The House” is located at 1200 Yocum St. in Pasadena. Disclaimer: Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.