Step Inside Matt Gaetz's $2.7M Childhood Mansion – The Real-Life Set Of 'The Truman Show'

Controversial political figure Matt Gaetz, who withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, has an interesting Hollywood connection – his childhood home in Seaside, Florida, was prominently featured in the 1998 movie "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carrey.

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Although Gaetz's nomination sparked a scandal, it also revealed that the house at 31 Natchez Street, where he grew up, was the fictional home of Truman Burbank, the film’s protagonist and his wife Meryl, played by Laura Linney, according to Realtor.com.

Don and Vicky Gaetz, parents of Matt Gaetz, still own the charming buttercup-yellow cottage and proudly celebrate its cinematic legacy. A sign on the white picket fence identifies it as "The Truman House," complete with the family members' names, including Matt and his sister Erin, making it a popular attraction for movie fans and tourists.

The Gaetz family purchased the property in 1991 for $125,000, one of the early acquisitions in Seaside, a master-planned coastal community. The home's value has since skyrocketed, estimated at $2.7 million, bolstered by its prominent role in the film.

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According to Realtor.com, the median listing price for a home in Walton County, where Seaside is located, was $925,000 in October, down 2.6% from a year ago. Homes remain on the market for about 104 days before selling.

According to a 2018 Washington Post profile revealed that the Gaetz family moved into the house when Matt was 10, seven years before its silver screen debut. The pastel-colored, two-story home spans 2,136 square feet and includes four bedrooms, four baths, a cozy fireplace and a classic front porch.

Just steps from the Gulf of Mexico, the residence embodies the idyllic charm of Seaside, a town known for its picturesque architecture, soft-hued facades and storybook setting – a perfect fit for a film centered on a fabricated, soundstage-like community.

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The Gaetz family has preserved unique cinematic nostalgia by keeping the number "36" displayed above the front of their home. The detail replicates the street number from the movie, where Carrey's character emerges each day to deliver his iconic greeting: "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya – good afternoon, good evening and good night!"

The vision for Seaside was born in 1946 when Robert S. Davis's grandfather purchased an 80-acre coastal Florida property. In 1978, Davis inherited the land and, inspired by traditional Florida beach towns, embarked on a project to create a community blending modern living with timeless architecture.

Collaborating with renowned architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Davis developed a comprehensive plan emphasizing walkability, traditional design and a strong sense of community. Construction began in 1981.

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