Yahoo Serious, 1980s film star, accused of squatting in elderly man’s house

Aussie movie star Yahoo Serious has been accused of squatting in a seriously ill man’s home on Sydney’s northern beaches, with his power of attorney now turning to the tribunal in an effort to evict him.

Eighties Aussie movie star Yahoo Serious has been accused of squatting in a seriously ill man’s home on Sydney’s northern beaches, with his power of attorney now turning to the tribunal in an effort to evict him.

It is understood Palm Beach resident Charles Porter – who goes by Phillip – initially allowed the former Young Einstein star to stay in granny flat-style accommodation at his home after a period of homelessness, where Serious had resorted to sleeping in his car.

Now, it is alleged Serious has moved into the main part of Mr Porter’s home and is staying without permission, preventing the home being sold to pay for the elderly man’s ongoing care.

Mr Porter’s power of attorney and landlord Margaret Charlton is pursuing Serious in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal in a desperate effort to evict him.

Yahoo Serious, pictured today, is accused of living like a squatter and refusing to leave the house he was sharing with an elderly dementia patient in Palm Beach. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Due to his diagnosis of dementia, Mr Porter has been placed in a nursing home, and I hold power of attorney for his affairs,” Ms Charlton wrote in an application to NCAT.

“The Public Trustee has instructed me to sell the property in order to fund Mr Porter’s ongoing care.

“Failure to do so will result in his removal from his current care facility. as he is an elderly patient with dementia.”

Ms Charlton alleges Serious has so far refused to vacate the home, and does not pay any of the associated bills or otherwise maintain the home.

“At present, the property is occupied by an individual, Mr Yahoo Serious, who has refused to vacate despite being served with a notice to vacate by February 8,” Ms Charlton wrote in the NCAT application.

“He is not fulfilling any financial obligations, including rent or utility bills, which has placed considerable strain on the finances.

“Additionally, he is preventing us from accessing the property to prepare it for sale.”

The application for Serious’ termination as a tenant is listed in the NCAT Consumer and Commercial Division on March 19.

Serious directed and starred in the 1988 film Young Einstein, which won him world-wide acclaim.

Serious, 71, has reportedly been in treatment for cancer in recent months, with paparazzi photos captured in late 2024 showing a stark departure from his usual long-haired appearance.

The actor born Greg Pead starred in Young Einstein, Reckless Kelly and Mr Accident in the 80s, 90s and 00s and was previously married to film collaborator and Prisoner actor Lulu Pinkus.

Such was Serious’ cultural cache during his brief but meteoric rise, he was referenced in an episode of The Simpsons and a 2011 episode of comedy TV series Community.

Serious received an honorary doctorate from the University of Newcastle in 1996 and was a guest celebrity as part of the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Serious in another scene from Young Einstein. Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

He made a rare public appearance at a Young Einstein screening at the Hayden Orpheum in 2019, where he made a brief comment about his stratospheric rise as a cult cinema hero and subsequent withdrawal from the public eye.

“I have been writing and I hope to continue to make some more movies,” Serious said at the time.

It is not the first time Serious has had issues with accommodation.

In 2020, he was evicted from his Avalon rental property and ordered to pay arrears in rent amounting to $15,000 to the landlord.

He stated at the time that he was unable to pay the bill due to Covid.

Originally published as Yahoo Serious, 1980s film star, accused of squatting in elderly man’s house