New York Citizen Receives Letters to Spider-Man Because He Shares a Home With Marvel’s Peter Parker
A Queens, New York homeowner has revealed he regularly receives fan mail addressed to Spider-Man because his house shares an address with one of Aunt May's homes in the Marvel comics. Jack Shi, 64, told the New York Post he had no idea the property was linked to the character when he bought it three years ago, but he has embraced the role, posing for photos with fans who visit. The story highlights how comic-book lore can spill into real life, turning an ordinary homeowner into an unofficial ambassador for a fictional superhero.
The four-bed, four-bath brick house at 20 Ingram St, Forest Hills, has become known as "Spider-Man's house", and Shi says he feels a duty to live up to the association, comparing it to "the American spirit". Letters shared with the New York Post include questions from children asking how Spider-Man saves the world and invitations to play, some also addressed to Deadpool. The volume of mail has reportedly increased since Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland, premiered on 31 July 2026 and performed strongly at the box office, with the film's New York setting also boosting interest in Insomniac Games' Marvel's Spider-Man 2 video game.
- Queens man's house shares address with Spider-Man's fictional home
- He receives and embraces children's fan letters to the hero
- Mail has surged since new film Spider-Man: Brand New Day's release
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Spider-Man is a Marvel superhero whose real name is Peter Parker, a fictional New Yorker who balances everyday life with fighting crime. Aunt May is Peter’s aunt, and different comics and screen adaptations have shown her living at different addresses.
The Forest Hills house became associated with the character because its address matches one used for Aunt May’s home in Marvel comics. Its owner, Jack Shi, now receives letters from fans who believe Spider-Man might see them, and sometimes meets visitors who come to take photographs.
The story shows how places linked to popular fiction can attract interest in real life. Spider-Man’s long-running comics, films and video games have helped make the character familiar to generations of fans.