If you spent any time wandering through the fictional streets of Freeridge with Monse, Ruby, Jamal, and Cesar, you know things got weird. Fast. But among the gang threats, the RollerWorld millions, and the teenage angst, one character stood out despite having zero lines and being made of painted clay. I'm talking about the On My Block Scarface gnome.
It sounds ridiculous. It is.
But for fans of the Netflix hit, that little lawn ornament wasn't just a background prop. He was a symbol of the show's chaotic energy and Jamal’s spiraling obsession. Honestly, if you didn't think a garden gnome could hold the keys to a decades-old heist mystery, were you even watching the same show?
Why the On My Block Scarface Gnome Became an Icon
Most shows use props to fill space. On My Block used them to drive the plot into increasingly absurd territory. Scarface—the gnome with the tiny painted scar and the tough-guy attitude—first popped up as part of Chivo’s "crew." Chivo, the eccentric former Santos member, treated his collection of gnomes like living, breathing soldiers.
It was creepy. It was hilarious. It worked.
The On My Block Scarface gnome represented the bridge between the gritty reality of South Central gang life and the Goonies-esque adventure the Core Four were embarking on. When Jamal first encounters Chivo’s gnomes, it’s a moment of pure comedy gold, but it quickly turns into a legitimate plot device. These gnomes weren't just plastic; they were "witnesses" to the history of the neighborhood.
Scarface specifically became a fan favorite because he mirrored the hard-edged environment of Freeridge. He had an aura. You’ve probably seen the memes or the TikToks—people actually went out and tried to buy their own versions. That’s the power of good character design, even when the character doesn't have a heartbeat.
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The RollerWorld Connection and Chivo’s Madness
Let’s get into the weeds here. The hunt for the RollerWorld money is what drove the first few seasons of the show. Jamal, being the obsessive genius he is, realized that the mystery of the missing $50,000 wasn't just about old maps or local legends. It was buried in the eccentricities of the people who lived through it.
Enter Chivo.
Chivo used the gnomes, including our buddy Scarface, as placeholders for his fallen friends. It’s a dark bit of writing when you think about it. The On My Block Scarface gnome wasn't just a toy; he was a memorial. When Jamal "kidnaps" the gnomes to get information out of Chivo, it feels like a high-stakes hostage situation, even though we’re looking at garden decorations.
The showrunners, Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft, and Lauren Iungerich, were masters at this. They took something as mundane as a garden gnome and turned it into a focal point for the show’s mythology.
What made Scarface different?
- The Look: He wasn't your standard rosy-cheeked gnome. He looked like he’d seen things.
- The Role: He acted as a silent confidant for Jamal during some of his most stressed-out moments.
- The Vibe: He perfectly captured the show's "magical realism" where the line between Jamal's imagination and reality got super thin.
The Production Secret: Where Did Scarface Come From?
You might think the prop department just hit up a Home Depot and grabbed a random gnome. Not quite. While the base models were standard garden gnomes, the production team customized them to give them personality. The On My Block Scarface gnome needed to look like he belonged in a world governed by the Santos and the Prophets.
The scars, the specific paint jobs, the "thousand-yard stare"—all of that was intentional.
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Actually, during filming, the actors often talked about how the gnomes became unofficial members of the cast. Brett Gray, who played Jamal, had to do a significant amount of acting against these inanimate objects. It’s a testament to his talent that he made us believe Scarface was a character with a backstory and a grudge.
Fans spent years trying to track down the exact model used for Scarface. Most were disappointed to find out that the "authentic" version was a custom job. You can find "inspired" versions on Etsy or eBay, but the original Scarface is a piece of Netflix history that probably lives in a storage unit or a producer's office now.
Why We Still Talk About Him in 2026
It’s been years since the show ended, yet the On My Block Scarface gnome still pops up in trivia and fan theories. Why? Because On My Block was one of the few shows that got the "coming of age in the hood" story right without losing its sense of humor.
Scarface represents the absurdity of childhood. Even when life is dangerous—when there’s literal gunfire down the street—kids will still find a way to get obsessed with something ridiculous like a garden gnome. It’s a survival mechanism. It’s how the Core Four stayed kids as long as they could.
The legacy of the gnome also lives on in the spin-off, Freeridge. While it didn't quite capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the original series for some, it leaned heavily into the supernatural and weird elements that Scarface pioneered.
Spotting a Fake: The Collector’s Guide
If you’re a die-hard fan looking to add an On My Block Scarface to your shelf, you have to be careful. Since the show blew up, a lot of knock-offs have hit the market. Real "Scarface" gnomes have a specific posture—usually standing upright with a slightly grumpy expression.
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- Look for the scar. It should be over the left eye, cleanly painted but looking "weathered."
- Check the height. Most of Chivo’s gnomes were in the 12 to 15-inch range.
- The hat color. Classic Scarface wears a red hat, but it’s faded, not bright neon.
If you find one at a garage sale that looks like it’s been through a gang war, you might have found the one. Or just a very neglected lawn ornament. Either way, it’s the spirit that counts.
Final Take: More Than Just a Prop
The On My Block Scarface phenomenon is a reminder that great storytelling doesn't always need a massive budget or A-list cameos. Sometimes, all you need is a well-placed garden gnome and a character like Jamal to breathe life into it.
Scarface was the silent fifth member of the group. He was the keeper of secrets, the silent observer of Freeridge’s chaos, and the most gangsta garden ornament to ever grace a TV screen.
How to Channel Your Inner Jamal
If you're missing the show and want to keep the mystery alive, there are a few things you can do. First, go back and re-watch Season 1, specifically the episodes where Jamal first visits Chivo’s house. Pay attention to the background—there are more gnomes than you think, and each one has a slightly different "personality."
Second, check out the official social media archives from the cast. Brett Gray and the others often posted behind-the-scenes clips with the gnomes that never made it to the final cut.
Finally, if you’re feeling creative, grab a standard gnome and some acrylic paint. Creating your own On My Block Scarface is a rite of passage for the fandom. Just don't start talking to it in public—unless you want your neighbors to think you've finally cracked the RollerWorld code.
Stay streetwise. Keep the gnomes close. And remember: in Freeridge, nothing is ever just what it seems.
Check your local niche collectible shops or online marketplaces like Mercari for authentic-looking replicas, as these are often where the best fan-made tributes end up. If you're looking for the exact vibe, search for "weathered garden gnomes" and do the custom work yourself to ensure the scar is perfectly placed. Keep an eye on Netflix's official merch shop updates, as they occasionally drop "legacy" items from their biggest hits during anniversary years.