Explore the Onscreen Legends Who Resided in the 90210
As America’s earliest films transitioned from silent to sound, the Golden Age of Hollywood was born. During this transformative period, which lasted from the 1920s to the early 1960s, studios produced hundreds of revolutionary new films. The box office hits also created a generation of new stars and starlets whose every move was carefully documented by adoring fans. While many movie stars chose to settle down in Hollywood, others preferred the quieter, more upscale pace of life found in nearby Beverly Hills. From Kirk Douglas to Billie Burke, here are a handful of Golden Age stars who called Beverly Hills home.
Kirk Douglas
Raised in a low-income household by immigrant parents, Kirk Douglas found success as an actor after starring in films such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Lust for Life. During the 1940s, he lived in a five-bedroom home in Beverly Hills that was characterized by exposed brick and banks of glass. Set on just over an acre of land, the house also boasted a chef’s kitchen, a swimming pool and tennis court, and a separate guest house. It was listed in 2013 for $17 million.
Fred Astaire
Dancer, singer, and actor Fred Astaire waltzed his way into Americans’ hearts and became one of film’s most famous dancers. In 1959, several years after his first wife passed away, Astaire built a bachelor pad in Beverly Hills. He turned the home into a suave entertaining space by decorating it with modern upholstered furniture and contemporary art.
Billie Burke
Best remembered for her role as Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz, actress Billie Burke lived in an English-style abode in Beverly Hills in the 1930s with her husband, Broadway producer and showman Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Burke outfitted the home with down-to-earth furniture pieces, art, and, according to her memoir, “eight highly articulate canaries.”
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
Husband-and-wife couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, who rose to prominence after starring on the hit television show I Love Lucy, resided in a 1920s Spanish-style home in Beverly Hills for a spell. The home featured seven bedrooms, an outdoor patio with a fireplace, a swimming pool, and a separate guest house. The house was listed for just under $7 million.
Beloved by countless celebrities from Hollywood’s Golden Age, Beverly Hills continues to be a popular place to call home for a new generation of buyers. If you’re interested in buying a home next to Rodeo Drive, contact Rochelle Maize today. With extensive knowledge of the Beverly Hills real estate market, Rochelle can guide you through the process and help you find a home that matches your needs and wants.
