ASTORIA, Ore. — It may be the most famous house in Astoria but if you're hoping to see it up close, prepare yourself for a little humiliation.
"Jerk alert!" cries Behman Zakeri, the new owner of "The Goonies" house. As promised, wouldn't let me in until I did the Truffle Shuffle, made famous by Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen in the movie. Apparently I did it well enough to get inside and discover the story about a childhood dream come true.
"This is absolutely the dream come true," Zakeri said, with his wife Liz. "This is what we wanted. We wanted to have the house for the fans and be able to share it with everybody.
The couple call themselves "Goonies For Life." They bought the house for $1.65 million in 2023 because this 1985 movie left an impression like no other.
"I was 8 or 9 years old when I first saw it," Zakeri said. "And I think it was the first time you really as [a] kid learned what friendship was, like 'he's my friend!' So, that movie just instilled 'never give up.' Family. Friendship. Fun! Laughter, right? All the stuff we grew up on."
Zakeri compares owning "The Goonies" house to owning the Statue of Liberty. All day long people walk up the road to see the house, an unofficial tourist attraction.
"You just look at somebody and if they are a Goonies fan you just know," Zakeri said.
Some lucky fans actually get a tour and a preview of Zakeri's big plans to bring movie magic back to the house, starting with the Rube Goldberg contraption in the front yard.
"We're re-creating this," Zakeri said, pointing to a move still in his hand. "Our goal is to make it function. We have a robotic chicken that's already built that lays eggs."
Zakeri is a Kansas City entrepreneur so he knows how to get things done, but he admits his next goal will be a challenge. For a reality TV show he'd like to get former cast members to help restore the house to its Goonies Glory days.
"It's going to be a love letter to the movie," he said. " I believe that this is the type of cultural landmark that needs to be preserved and shared for people all around the world to be able to view."
Until then, the house is a tribute in waiting. The couple have a bedroom upstairs but most of the house is unfurnished with just enough memorabilia and Baby Ruths to inspire some fun indoors and a never ending parade of fans outside.
"And here we got more Goonies," Zakeri said, waving. "Hey you guys! " he yelled. "Never gets old."
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.