Since Pee-wee Herman graced the screens, many fans have taken to favoring his film-famous house known for its bright red facade.
Pee-wee, played by the late Paul Reubens, first appeared as the memorable character in the late ’70s. But it was the 1985 film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” directed by Tim Burton, that catapulted him — and this particular home — into stardom.
Little did the real owners of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property — at 1846 Oxley St. in South Pasadena, Calif. — know that the home’s association with Pee-wee would bring fans far and wide to pay homage to the quirky character.
“The house has been in our family since 1974,” William (Billy) Young told The Post. “Since our parents’ passing, we renovated it and put it up for [rent].”
Young, 62, says he wants to continue to rent the home for the foreseeable future until he decides to downsize and move into the house himself. But he has no plans to sell it.
The home last rented for $4,600 per month last summer.
“It’s been a blessing since the movie came out in the ’80s. Our house was listed on some famous sites of movie homes and had fans taking selfies in front of the house.”
Young, who owns a wedding licensing business in Alhambra, said he was “shocked” to learn of Reuben’s passing on Monday after a quiet battle with cancer.
“[I] will always think of him when I see there’s a check for him on our refrigerator made out to him but was never able to deliver it,” Young said, explaining that he received a check from a business made out to Reuben, but was never able to forward it.
Young says that he remembers in his younger years having a film set outside of their house. He had graduated from college and was trying to break into the industry himself at the time.
“It seemed such a long time ago when they filmed outside our house. It was an unknown director Tim Burton [at the time] who worked with Pee-wee for the exterior set,” Young said.
“The props in the front yard had [seemed] so strange. Of course back then we didn’t know the character of Pee-wee Herman.”
Young says he had no idea what the film would be about as they were filming. And once the film finally aired, he thought it was “hilarious.”
“I couldn’t believe how fun it was to watch the movie. After they wrapped our location, the crew painted the house back to its original color and now Google Maps labels the house as the Pee-wee Herman house. How hilarious is that.”
The exterior of the home, which was built in 1922, now remains a pastel yellow color with a white fence wrapping around.
It has been labeled a historical landmark in South Pasadena.
Production had asked Young’s parents, Harold and Chia Young, if they could paint the home — with the promise they would repaint it back to the original color.
“My parents agreed, but did not expect to be THAT red.” Young quipped.
“Maybe after the tenant moves out I can make it short term to let any fans have an opportunity to live in Pee-wee’s house!”
Pee-wee became an instant cult figure, For the next decade, Reubens was completely committed to his character, doing all of his public appearances and interviews as Pee-wee. He produced and wrote a feature film, “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985). Its sequel, “Big Top Pee-wee” (1988), was less successful. Between 1986 and 1990, Reubens starred as Pee-wee in the CBS Saturday-morning children’s program “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
On Monday, Reubens died from cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He had been diagnosed six years prior, but kept it hidden. He was 70 years old.
