John C. Reilly surprised his “brother from another mother” and longtime friend Johnny Agnew with a funky dressing room makeover on Monday’s episode of Celebrity IOU.
The 57-year-old comedian completely restored his close friend’s 1920s log cabin, renovating the outside and inside and adding a kitchen and bathroom.
John told identical twins Jonathan and Drew Scott that he first met Johnny when he came to his Funky Junk Farm estate in Altadena, California in search of a vintage trailer.
Close bond: John C. Reilly surprised his ‘brother from another mother’ and longtime friend Johnny Agnew with a funky dressing room makeover on Monday’s episode of Celebrity IOU
“We connected straight away,” Johnny said to the camera. “We were fortunate in that, like brothers, we bonded immediately. Like brothers from another mother. We loved the same things and he’s a collector.”
In addition to running the Funky Junk Farm, Johnny is also currently working as a movie set driver. John said over the years he relied on Johnny because he was such a good person and hard worker. He said he wanted to do something to help him.
“Johnny has been there for me so many times,” John said.
John said that Johnny even took a friend’s child and mentored him to the point where he had just graduated from Stanford Law School.
Cabin renovation: The 57-year-old comedian completely restored his close friend’s 1920s log cabin, renovating the outside and inside and adding a kitchen and bathroom
“This guy does so much for other people all the time,” John said.
John explained to Drew and Jonathan that the log cabin on the property they wanted to work on was an original 1920’s log cabin. The brothers asked John if he thought his friend would want to modernize the cabin, but John said no.
“It’s called Funky Junk Farms,” John said. “He embraces the funkiness and the junkiness of it.”
Challenge Accepted: Jonathan and Drew Scott took on the challenge of renovating the old cabin
John told the brothers that he would help with the project as he had carpentry experience during his school days to make ends meet.
“Let’s just knock him out and do something for him that he could never do for himself,” John said.
Drew and Jonathan took a look inside the cabin.
Stunning: “Let’s just blow his mind and do something for him that he could never do for himself,” John said
“There’s definitely some room for improvement here,” John said.
“That’s an understatement,” Jonathan said.
John said the cabin was used as storage but that he thought it could be used for so much more and believed it could be a great meeting place.
The before: Drew and Jonathan took a look around the dressing room and realized there was plenty of room for improvement
“Just making a usable space out of it would be such a gift,” John said.
John helped the brothers clean the shack and tear down the rotted logs. Johnny worked out of town for a month, which gave them time to complete the work.
“As for the demolition, I think I did well,” John said. “It’s a great low-skill job for me.”
Helping hand: John helped the brothers clean the shack and tear down the rotten logs
They threw hammers through the windows to break them in and John used a concrete saw to break up the floor.
John also helped them choose the finishes that would keep the cabin funky, including wood veneers and sturdy floors.
The Hollywood star asked them if they could incorporate a broken tile motif that was already in other parts of the property. Resident artist Edward Lum is also creating a Funky Junk sign to be hung on the outside of the cabin.
Hammer Throw: They threw hammers through the windows to smash them
“They call it Celebrity IOU and I don’t really see myself as a celebrity but I can really get past the IOU part,” John said. “Because Johnny gave me a lot, you know, it’s hard to quantify.”
John helped them attach the new wood veneers to the cabin.
“I’m not afraid to get dirty and I’m not afraid to work,” John told the camera. “I come from a working-class family.”
Giving back: “They call it Celebrity IOU and I don’t really see myself as a celebrity but I can really get past the IOU part,” John said. “Because Johnny gave me a lot, you know, it’s hard to quantify”
They searched the farm property and found items to use as decorations.
“I’m really excited,” John said. “Once everything is painted and installed it will really come together beautifully.”
They also added a kitchen and bathroom to the restored cabin, mixing old finishes with new.
Really excited: “I’m really excited,” John said. “Once everything is painted and installed it will really come together beautifully.”
“Johnny will be very surprised when he comes back,” John said. “He’ll freak out.”
John called Johnny and said he should look at a trailer on the property. When Johnny got there he was shocked.
‘Is this a staging?’ asked Johnny.
Good question: “Is that a trap?” Johnny asked upon seeing John back at the property
“Yeah, it’s staged,” John said as Jonathan and Drew huddled behind a pickup truck outside.
‘Oh my God,’ said Johnny when he saw his newly restored log home. ‘I can not believe it.’
Drew and Jonathan emerged from behind the truck when John revealed he wasn’t doing the work alone.
Hide: Drew and Jonathan came out from behind the truck as John revealed he wasn’t doing the job alone
“John did this because you are an amazing person and human being and you deserve to have something special as a space for yourself,” Jonathan said.
“I don’t know if I’m worth it, I’m just so overwhelmed,” Johnny said.
“Johnny, you do so much for others,” John said. “You’ve done so much for me, and I just thought, ‘You know, before this place falls down…’
New Look: “Johnny, you do so much for others,” John said. “You’ve done so much for me, and I just thought, ‘You know, before this place falls down…’
Johnny laughed as they walked in and showed him the renovated interior.
“I can’t believe it,” Johnny said. ‘It is wonderful.’
“This is so much cooler than I could have ever imagined,” John said.
“I feel like I’m dreaming,” Johnny said. “I can’t thank you guys enough, it means the world.”
Renovated Interior: Johnny laughed as they walked in and showed him the renovated interior
Renovated bathroom: The newly renovated bathroom was also a great success
Dream Feeling: “I feel like I’m dreaming,” Johnny said. “I can’t thank you enough, it means the world”