Forrest Gump’s House: A Real Place in Savannah, Georgia

Introduction

Forrest Gump’s house has become an iconic symbol of the beloved 1994 film, Forrest Gump. The film stars Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, a simple yet kind-hearted man who experiences the span of American history from the 1950s to the 1980s, and his house is a central location in the film. The question is, is Forrest Gump’s house a real place, or is it just Hollywood magic?

Forrest Gump’s Real House in Savannah, Georgia

The answer is that Forrest Gump’s house is a real place, but it is not located in Alabama, where the film is set. Instead, the house is located in Savannah, Georgia, where the film crew shot several scenes of the movie, including the ones that take place in Forrest’s childhood home. The house still stands today and is a popular tourist attraction.

The house is a white, two-story house with a wide porch, and is located in the historic district of Savannah. It was built in 1853 and has since been restored to match the style of the house seen in the movie. Visitors can take a tour of the house, which now serves as a bed and breakfast, and can even stay overnight in the room that was Forrest’s childhood bedroom in the movie.

Not All Scenes Were Shot in the Real House

However, it is important to note that not all of the scenes that take place in Forrest’s house were shot in the real house in Savannah. Some scenes, including the infamous “Life is like a box of chocolates” scene, were shot on a movie set at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The movie set was designed to look like the interior of the house seen in the movie, with the same wallpaper, furniture, and decorations.

Accidental Discovery of Forrest Gump’s House

Another interesting fact about the house is that it was not originally intended to be Forrest’s house in the movie. The filmmakers had scouted several locations in Alabama to use as Forrest’s home, but they were unable to find a suitable house that matched their vision. They eventually found the house in Savannah by accident while scouting another location in the area. Once they saw the house, they knew it was perfect for the movie, and they made the decision to use it as Forrest’s home.

The Intentional Use of a Real House

The decision to use a real house for Forrest’s home was intentional by the filmmakers. They wanted the house to feel authentic and lived in, which is why they went to great lengths to find a real house that matched their vision. Using a real house also allowed the filmmakers to film scenes in different parts of the house, which would have been more difficult to achieve on a movie set.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Forrest Gump’s house is a real place, located in Savannah, Georgia, and is a popular tourist attraction. While not all of the scenes that take place in the house were shot there, the house was used for several key scenes in the movie. The decision to use a real house was intentional, as the filmmakers wanted the house to feel authentic and lived in. Forrest Gump’s house may have started as just a location in a movie, but it has become a cultural icon and a beloved symbol of the film.