Dana Carvey is a master of disappearing into characters. One minute he’s George H.W. Bush, the next he’s the Church Lady, or maybe a manic Garth Algar from Wayne's World. But when the cameras stop rolling and the podcast mics at Fly on the Wall are turned off, the man himself disappears into a much quieter reality.
If you’re looking for a Hollywood mansion with a velvet-roped driveway, you’re looking in the wrong part of the state. Dana Carvey doesn't do the L.A. scene. He hasn't for a long time.
Honestly, the answer to where does Dana Carvey live is a story about a guy who chose family and redwoods over the industry grind. Since the early 1990s, Carvey has called Marin County, California, his home. Specifically, he’s a fixture of the affluent, fog-drenched hills of Mill Valley.
Why Mill Valley?
It’s not just about the privacy, though that’s a huge perk. Mill Valley is a town tucked into the base of Mount Tamalpais, about 14 miles north of San Francisco. It feels like a high-end summer camp for adults who happen to be worth millions.
Carvey and his wife, Paula Zwagerman, bought their primary residence in Mill Valley back in 1993 for around $1.6 million. In today’s market? That’s basically a starter price for the area, but their property—surrounded by second-growth redwoods and winding canyon roads—is now estimated to be worth anywhere between $6 million and $7 million.
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He didn't move there to be a recluse, exactly. He moved there to be a dad. After a massive health scare in the late 90s—a botched bypass surgery that led to a $7.5 million settlement which he donated to charity—Carvey famously stepped back from the limelight. He wanted to raise his sons, Dex and Thomas, in a place that felt more like "Mayberry" than Malibu.
He’s often seen at the Throckmorton Theatre, a local landmark where he’s been known to drop in and test out new material on a whim.
The Ross Rumors and Real Estate Shifts
There has been some confusion over the years about whether he moved to the neighboring town of Ross. In 1999, reports surfaced that he bought a $3.75 million estate in Ross designed by Gardner Dailey. It’s one of the most exclusive zip codes in America.
While he definitely has ties to Ross, public records and local sightings consistently point back to his long-term Mill Valley base. Interestingly, in late 2024, rumors swirled in the real estate world when his Mill Valley home was reportedly listed as a high-end rental for roughly $17,000 a month. This sparked some "is he leaving?" chatter, but Carvey remains deeply rooted in Northern California.
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- The Vibe: Low-key, outdoorsy, and intensely private.
- The Neighbors: You might run into Sammy Hagar at the grocery store or see Sean Penn (who has lived in Ross) nearby.
- The Lifestyle: Lots of hiking, corporate stand-up gigs that allow him to fly home the same night, and frequent trips into San Francisco.
Life After Tragedy
It’s impossible to talk about Dana's life in Marin without mentioning the heartbreak the family faced recently. In late 2023, his eldest son, Dex, passed away from an accidental overdose at age 32.
This tragedy forced Carvey into a period of deep mourning and a temporary break from his podcast with David Spade. When he eventually returned, he spoke candidly about the "private cocoon" of his home and family life, emphasizing how much he relies on the quietude of his surroundings to process grief. His home isn't just an asset; it's a sanctuary where he’s spent decades building a life away from the "look-at-me" energy of Southern California.
Is He Moving to Southern California?
Lately, you’ll see Dana in Los Angeles more often for tapings and events. His kids always had an affinity for the "stimulation" of L.A., something Dana joked about in interviews years ago. However, his "travels from" location for booking agents still lists San Francisco, CA.
Even as he ramps up work with his 2026 tour dates alongside David Spade, his heart (and his primary mailbox) remains in the 415 area code. He’s a NorCal guy through and through, raised in San Carlos and educated at San Francisco State University.
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What You Should Know If You’re Visiting Marin
If you find yourself in Mill Valley, don't go looking for "star maps." They don't exist there, and the locals will give you a cold shoulder if you’re acting like a paparazzi.
- Check the Throckmorton: If you want to see Dana in his natural habitat, check the calendar at the Throckmorton Theatre. It's where the local legends play.
- Respect the Space: Marin is a "leave-them-alone" kind of place. That’s why people like Dana Carvey stay there for thirty years.
- The Commute: He’s only about 15-20 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, making it easy for him to hit the city for a Warriors game or a set at a comedy club.
Dana Carvey’s choice of residence tells you everything you need to know about him. He chose the redwoods and the fog over the red carpets. Whether he's hiking the Dipsea Trail or grabbing coffee in downtown Mill Valley, he’s living a life that is—to use his own phrase—"pretty special."
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan wanting to support Dana's current work, the best way is to tune into the Fly on the Wall podcast or catch his 2026 tour dates. While his home life remains private in Marin, his professional life is more accessible than it has been in years. Avoid searching for specific residential addresses to respect the privacy he has spent his entire career protecting.