Estate with a star-studded lineage
In 1954, Dwight D. Eisenhower was in his first term as president, Willie Mays made The Catch, “Mr. Sandman” was on the radio — and a house that became a favorite hangout for Hollywood elite was built on Pamela Drive.
The property had been part of a larger estate belonging to silentfilm comic Buster Keaton, who built an Italian-style villa there in 1926.
The Keaton estate was later home to Cary Grant and his wife, Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton; actress Marlene Dietrich was a former tenant.
Actors James and Pamela Mason acquired the property in the late 1940s and subdivided the grounds into three parcels, including one on more than half an acre that is now up for sale.
Listed at $8.795 million, the midcentury house retains the original gardens, tiled fountains, a barbecue pavilion, cabana houses and a 60-foot-long swimming pool from the Keaton estate.
Lillian Portnoy, the owner and longtime Beverly Hills resident, said the home became a gathering spot for friends and Hollywood stars over the years.
Sean Connery, Jose Ferrer, Charlie Chaplin Jr. and Jean Ron Getty were among Portnoy’s guests.
Her former beau, Elvis Presley, also visited the property on a number of occasions, often using the swimming pool.
The 3,007-square-foot house, with its tapering roofline and stone accents, has remained relatively untouched since it was built. Original fixtures, wallpaper and furniture are among the preserved details.
A formal living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a den, four bedrooms and four bathrooms make up the floor plan. A large circular driveway fronts the entrance to the home.
Aitan Segal of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is the listing agent.
Director and screenwriter
James Mangold sold his house in Brentwood’s Mandeville Canyon area for $3.15 million — a nice $150,000 bump over his asking price. The buyers willing to pay top dollar were musician Beck and his wife, actress Marissa Ribisi.
It comes as little surprise to see the house fetch a premium. The Brittany Tudor-style home, built in 1964, was designed by local architect Gerard R. Coldcord.
Known for building comfortable family homes in interpretations of a variety of architectural styles, he designed more than 300 houses in Southern California, and his work retains an ardent following.
The house also comes with Hollywood pedigree, having been owned by Mangold, who directed “The Wolverine” and “Walk the Line,” and, before him, animator Lou Lilly of Looney Tunes fame.
Set on three-quarters of an acre dotted with mature trees, the house features half-timbering, hand-hewn beams and French doors. Dormer windows create nooks for desks or seating on the upper level, which contains three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and an office.
A foyer with a staircase, a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a butler’s pantry, a kitchen with a breakfast area, and a powder room are on the ground floor of the 2,620-square-foot house. There’s a guestroom above the detached two-car garage.
Bret Parsons of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage was the listing agent. Simon Salloom, also with Coldwell Banker, represented the buyer.
Mangold has writing credits that include films “Kate & Leopold” (2001) and “Girl, Interrupted” (1999). The 52-year-old produced the TV series “Zoo” (2005), “Vegas” (2012-13) and “Men in Trees” (2006-08).
He will direct the upcoming Disney film “Captain Nemo.”
Singer-songwriter Beck, 45, won an album of the year Grammy this year for “Morning Phase” and released the new single “Dreams.”
Ribisi, 41, was in the 1990s films “Dazed and Confused,” “Pleasantville” and “Some Girl.