Story perspectives

Colin Jost Reveals $280K Staten Island Ferry Purchase to Wife

4/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Colin Jost told his wife Scarlett Johansson that they had bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry, prompting her to reply “We?”.
Jost and Pete Davidson purchased the former John F. Kennedy Staten Island ferry for $280,100 in 2022.
He said events held on the 70,000-square-foot vessel have already covered the purchase price and docking costs.
Jost first texted his Staten Island-born father, who replied “Did you do your homework?” before informing Johansson.

History

Historical Context

In 1967 the RMS Queen Mary was retired and later refitted as a hotel-museum, establishing a model for turning obsolete liners into attractions. Decades later, the 1991-restored Liberty ship John W. Brown entered museum service, reinforcing the trend. When the decommissioned SS United States faced a stalled $30 million museum conversion in 1992, and comedians bought the former JFK ferry for $280,100, they followed this long-standing practice of repurposing historic vessels.

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Story summary

Colin Jost told his wife Scarlett Johansson that they had bought a decommissioned Staten Island ferry, prompting her to reply “We?”.
Jost and Pete Davidson purchased the former John F. Kennedy Staten Island ferry for $280,100 in 2022.
He said events held on the 70,000-square-foot vessel have already covered the purchase price and docking costs.
Jost first texted his Staten Island-born father, who replied “Did you do your homework?” before informing Johansson.

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