There’s an old jazz classic, Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?—and soon, John Goodman might find out.
More than 50 years after first falling in love with the city during a Mardi Gras trip with his Missouri State fraternity brothers, the veteran actor is saying goodbye to his longtime home in the historic Garden District. Goodman and his wife, Anna Beth, have listed their Italianate-Greek Revival residence—where they’ve lived for the past 20 years—for just under $5.5 million. That’s a significant increase from the $1.8 million the Roseanne and The Conners star paid in 2005 when he purchased the home in an off-market deal from Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.
A Piece of New Orleans History
Originally built in the mid-1800s and known as the Joseph Merrick Jones House, the home sits on a quarter-acre corner lot near iconic local landmarks like Commander’s Palace, St. Charles Avenue, and Magazine Street. Spanning nearly 5,000 square feet, the two-story residence offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms, featuring:
- 14-foot ceilings
- Intricate plaster medallions
- Hand-carved millwork
- Six fireplaces
A gated entry, lined with ancient crepe myrtles, leads to the home’s dual wraparound balconies, accented by grand columns and shuttered floor-to-ceiling windows.
Elegant Interiors with Southern Charm
Inside, a classic entryway with a traditional staircase and a bay-window seating area flows into a double parlor and a formal dining room, the latter featuring a hand-painted hardwood floor. A living room and an adjacent breakfast nook connect to a cobalt blue kitchen, which boasts:
- Hand-stained shiplap ceilings
- Custom cabinetry
- Honed quartzite countertops
- Wolf appliances
Spacious Primary Suite & Outdoor Oasis
Upstairs, the primary suite offers:
- A wraparound balcony
- Two walk-in closets
- A luxurious bath with a soaking tub and a separate shower
The second floor also includes three additional bedrooms, two with en-suite baths, while another has been converted into a dressing room.
Outside, the lush, hedged grounds feature:
- A covered veranda, which can be enclosed with drapes for privacy
- A saltwater pool and spa, complete with Mayan lion spray fountains
- An attached two-car garage
Why Goodman Is Saying Goodbye
According to listing agent Hyatt Hood of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred, Realtors, the couple is selling because they no longer need such a large space.
“John and Anna Beth have spent the past 20 years raising their family in this beautiful home, and it has been a truly special place for them,” Hood says. “Now, as empty nesters, they are ready to downsize. Additionally, John’s busy work schedule keeps him traveling between both coasts and beyond. That said, they absolutely love New Orleans and will continue to maintain a home here—the city remains an important part of their lives.”
The 72-year-old actor and his wife recently lost another home—a $4.6 million Pacific Palisades property they bought in 2007—to the devastating California wildfires.
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