Real Estate Brooklyn Boro

Brooklyn Heights’ famed ‘Moonstruck House’ sells for $11M

1829 townhouse was used in classic film

April 29, 2022 Raanan Geberer
This house at 19 Cranberry St. at the corner of Willow Street in Brooklyn Heights was used for exterior shots in the classic 1980s movie “Moonstruck.” Eagle file photo by Lore Croghan
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The Circa-1829 townhouse at 19 Cranberry St. in Brooklyn Heights whose exterior was used for the classic film “Moonstruck,” starring Cher and Nicolas Cage, has sold for $11 million, according to published reports.

The house is described on the Corcoran real estate website as having a restored Mansard roof, brownstone and iron work; new historic windows; high ceilings with restored molding, hand-carved trimwork, original fireplace mantles, two laundry rooms, a gym, a wine cellar, a wood-burning oven and more.

Interestingly, the listing doesn’t refer to the home’s use in the film, released in 1987-88.

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In recent history, according to the New York Post and other media outlets, the house, at the corner of Willow Street, was bought in 1961 by Edwards and Francesca Rullman. 

At the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 1988, Olympia Dukakis and Cher hold up their Oscars for “Moonstruck.” AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File

Edwards Rullman, according to an obituary the Brooklyn Eagle ran in 2016, was an architect who was instrumental in the movement to establish landmark historic-district designation for Brooklyn Heights in 1965. He also was chair of the Brooklyn Heights Design Advisory Council, which offered free advice to people undertaking architectural restorations, and at one time was president of the Brooklyn Heights Association.

In 2007-08, the Rullmans sold the home to Jane Gorrell and James Lansill for $3.85 million, the Eagle’s Lore Croghan reported in 2015. 

At the 1988 Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Cher and Michael Douglas display their awards. Cher won Best Actress for “Moonstruck,” and Douglas won Best Actor for “Wall Street.” AP Photo/Lennox McLendon

In “Moonstruck,” the house (whose interior was not used in the film), is the home of young Italian American widow Loretta Castorini, played by Cher, and her fictional family. At first, she’s engaged to professor Johnny Cammereri, played by Danny Aiello, but after he has to leave for Sicily to be with his dying mother, she’s increasingly attracted to Johnny’s brother Ronny, played by Nicolas Cage.

“Moonstruck” won three Academy Awards, one for Best Actress (Cher), one for Best Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis) and one for Best Screenplay (by John Patrick Shanley).


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