Late actor Kirk Douglas' Beverly Hills home has been sold for $9.015 million, $1.52 million over the asking price, to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Liu.
Real estate agent Rochelle Maize of Nourmand & Associates told The Wall Street Journal that an 'unheard of' 31 offers were put in for the late Spartacus actor's home, which went on the market in December for $7.495 million.
'We typically get four to five offers at this price point,' Maize told the publication. 'Usually this type of activity is reserved for a $1 million property.'
Iconic home: Late actor Kirk Douglas' Beverly Hills home has been sold for $9.015 million, $1.52 million over the asking price, to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Liu
The stunning 1920s property, located in one of the country's most expensive and exclusive neighborhoods, has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a single-story 4,648-square-foot main house and a two-story guest house.
Among its most unique features is a backyard Walk of Fame complete with autographs on 22 stones by Hollywood royalty including Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan, Jane Fonda and Douglas' sons, actors Michael Douglas and the late Eric Douglas; and producers Joel and Peter Douglas.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next
- 'They've become my family': The Repair Shop's Suzie Fletcher... Catherine Zeta-Jones, 52, gives fans a glimpse at peaceful... Thanksgiving cheer from Hollywood! Gisele Bündchen,...
- Catherine Zeta-Jones, 52, and Michael Douglas, 77, tuck into...
Share this article
Share
'Celebrity properties always get a lot of eyes on them, but I think the Walk of Fame stones were such a valuable addition that so many people wanted,' Maize said.
Liu, who founded the company Forme, told the outlet in an email that the 'biggest surprise was the priceless garden Walk of Fame.'
Longtime couple: Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne pictured at the home in 2008. Douglas and his wife Anne purchased the property for $400,000 back in 1976 and lived out their final days in the modest mansion, with Anne passing away in April at 102, just 15 months after her husband's death at the age 103
The famed Hollywood couple was seen in May of 2017 during Kirk's 100th birthday bash in LA
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Liu, who purchased the home, said it is 'warm,' 'charming' and 'full of thriving vibes'
Liu, who was represented by Mica Rabineau of Nourmand & Associates in the transaction, said the home is 'warm,' 'charming' and 'full of thriving vibes.'
Douglas and his wife Anne purchased the property for $400,000 back in 1976 and lived out their final days in the modest mansion, with Anne passing away in April of 2021 at 102, just 15 months after her husband's death at the age of 103.
Maize toldFox Business that the couple 'entertained a lot' and she was informed 'that Kirk would have people autograph cement pavers at dinner parties. There are 22 stones - some were from their previous property. It's like Grauman's Chinese Theatre's Hollywood Walk of Fame on steroids.'
Striking home: The stunning 1920s property, located in one of the country's most expensive and exclusive neighborhoods, has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, single-story 4,648-square-foot main house and a two-story guest house
Incredible: Los Angeles' real estate maven Rochelle Altas Maize of Nourmand & Associates told Fox Business that the couple 'entertained a lot' and she was 'told that Kirk would have people autograph cement pavers at dinner parties'
The real estate maven said: 'There are 22 stones—some were from their previous property. It's like Grauman's Chinese Theatre's Hollywood Walk of Fame on steroids'
In addition to calling the estate 'iconic and special,'Maizesaid it took over an hour to photograph and write down the names on the stones from some of the world's most in-demand actors, talent and A-list celebrities.
'I didn't count all the signatures,' she said after documenting autographs from Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand and countless others. 'Some of the stones have three or four names.'
Maize told Dirt that the home 'was a sanctuary' for the Douglas family, who enjoyed its 'manicured gardens, timeless design,' and the indoor-outdoor living spaces.
Perfect home: In addition to calling the estate 'iconic and special,' Maize said it took over an hour to photograph and write down the names of the signatures from some of the world's most in-demand actors, talent and A-list celebrities
'I didn't count all the signatures': The realtor confessed after documenting autographs from Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand and countless others. Some of the stones have three or four names'
An oasis:Maize also told Dirt that 'it was a sanctuary' for the Douglas family, who enjoyed its 'manicured gardens, timeless design,' and the indoor-outdoor living spaces
It was said of the property: 'Fond memories were made here and we hope the same narrative continues for the next owners'
'Fond memories were made here and we hope the same narrative continues for the next owners,' she continued.
The home, which has been underwent considerable renovations, was previously bought for $400,000 back in the 1970s.
Kirk and Anne weremarried for over 65 years, after meetingon the set of Act of Love in Paris back in 1953 when he was starring in the film and she was doing publicity for it.
One-of-a-kind: Among its most unique features is a backyard Walk of Fame complete with 40 original autographs by Hollywood royalty including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda and more
Making memories: When they would host dinner parties, they would ask their friends to sign their names in the concrete stepping stones (as seen above with George Burns, Gracie Allen and Barbra Streisand) to create their mini walk of fame
Famous friends: Late comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen (left) signed a stone alongside Barbra Streisand
Amazing location: James Mason and Ronald Reagan are seen on the paving stones of the property, which is located minutes away from the Beverly Hills Hotel and Rodeo Drive
In high esteem: Late actorJames Mason (left) and former presidentRonald Reagan had also signed the paving slabs
The couple later revealed in their joint 2017 book 'Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love, Laughter, and a Lifetime in Hollywood' that she spurred his advances at first.
At the time, he was engaged to Italian actress Pier Angeli.
Kirk offered her a job as his assistant but she turned it down, before finally agreeing to work with him making clear it would be 'strictly business'.
Their relationship soon blossomed.
Impressive: The 22 signed stone, with the 40 original autographs, include several famous names includingWarren Beatty and Burt Lancaster
Here come the guys: Warren Beatty (left) and Burt Lancaster (right) had signed on the stones
Lots of amenities:The 15,503-square-foot lot also includes a two-storey detached guesthouse, pool and spa, and mature trees offering full privacy in the garden (Barbara Rush, Raf Vallone and Luella Parsons' names are seen above)
Co-stars: Kirk's former co-star in Strangers When We Met, Barbara Rush, was one of the stars to sign along with The Italian Job star Raf Vallone andHollywood newspaper gossip writer Luella Parsons
Time capsule: Rochelle Atlas Maize of Nourmand & Associates, who holds the listing, said: Kirk and Ann Douglas loved to entertain as seen by their slew of famous guests (Michael Caine and George Segal's signatures are seen above)
A-list: Michael Caine (left) planted his signature in the bottom left corner while George Segal penned his in top left
'We talked for hours, and I had a strange feeling in my heart that I could fall in love with this man,' Anne wrote in their book.
'I didn't want to, because I had seen too many young women enter into intense affairs with visiting movie stars — Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant among them. Then the film wrapped and the men returned to their wives and families.'
One year later, they married in Las Vegas and they had two sons Peter, born in 1955, and Eric, born in 1958.
All of the stars: Other signatures included the likes of Jane Fonda and Jack Nicholson
Star-studded: Jane Fonda and Jack Nicholson shared a paving slab for their autographs
Wow: The 4,648-square-foot property own personal Hollywood Walk of Fame also features Lucille Ball andCyd Charisse
Glamorous gal pals: ActressesLucille Ball (left) andCyd Charisse (right) were among the big names written out
Eric went on to become an actor and stand-up comedian but tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004 at the age of 46.
Peter is an TV and film producer who won an Emmy for Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special for Inherit the Wind in 1988.
Anne's movie career continued to take off throughout the 50s as she worked for director John Huston as a location scout and assistant on Moulin Rouge in 1952.
The next year, she did a three-year stint as head of protocol at the Cannes Film Festival.
Later, she went on to work as president of her husband's independent film production company the Bryna Co.
Wow: Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone's autographs are seen above
Stars: Comedian Jack Benny signed with his wife and co-star Mary Livingstone
Perfect pair:Rosalind Russell and Edward G. Robinson signed the slabs
Two's company:Rosalind Russell (left) left her mark as didEdward G. Robinson
Perfect pair:Tony and Janet-Leigh Curtis' autographs are seen above
Superstars: Actors and spouses Tony and Janet-Leigh Curtis were invited to place their signatures
There she worked as a producer on Peg Leg, Musket & Sabre and Posse which Kirk starred in.
Her husband said much of the success of his own career was down to his wife.
'I often wonder what would have happened to me if I hadn't married Anne. I might not have survived without her business acumen and her finely-honed instincts,' Kirk once said.
Old friends: Polly Burgess, Frank Sinatra and Natalie Wood are seen on the slabs
Old friends: Actress Polly Burgess, Kirk's longtime pal Frank Sinatra and Natalie Wood were among the A-list stars signing their name as was West Side Story star Natalie Wood
Singings:Joanna and Sidney Poitier and Hope Lange were among the stars signing their names
Famous friends:Joanna and Sidney Poitier and Hope Lange scrawled their names in
Friends: Kirk's friendLouis Jourdan, a French film actor, signed one of the slabs
The couple also revealed how a bad feeling caused Anne to stop her husband getting on a private plane from Palm Springs to New York with director Michael Todd in 1958, which later crashed killing all on board.
'I don't know what came over me, but I had a strange feeling,' she wrote in their book. 'Absolutely not, Kirk. I don't want you on that plane. You can fly commercial and meet him there.'
When they learned the plane had crashed in New Mexico, Kirk said he told her: 'Darling, you saved my life. I will always trust your intuition from now on.'
Anne later went on to focus much of her time to her philanthropy work.
More space: There were still plenty of paving stones left for future friends to sign their names
A steal: The home, which has been underwent considerable renovations, was previously bought for $400,000 back in the 1970s
Family home: Kirk and Anne were married for over 65 years, after meeting on the set of Act of Love in Paris back in 1953 before moving into their modest abode
Love story:The pair lived together in Beverly Hills happily married for more than three decades before their deaths
Where they raised their sons: The couple had two sons Peter, born in 1955, and Eric, born in 1958. While Kirk was also father to Michael, born in 1944, and Joel, born in 1947, with his first wife Diana Dill
Power team: While at their home, Kirk and Anne set up The Douglas Foundation which focuses on improving the education and health and providing opportunities for children
Charitable: Over the years, the foundation has donated millions to a wide range of institutions, from Children's Hospital Los Angeles to the Motion Picture & Television Fund
She campaigned to build the Los Angeles County Music Center and served on the boards of the Mark Taper Forum and the Center Theater Group for decades.
She championed women's careers cofounding the Cedars-Sinai Research for Women's Cancers and launched the Anne Douglas Center for Women at the Los Angeles Mission.
Together, the couple also set up The Douglas Foundation which focuses on improving the education and health and providing opportunities for children.
Over the years, the foundation has donated millions to a wide range of institutions, from Children's Hospital Los Angeles to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Family: The Douglas brood would often get together and back in 2019 four generations piled around the table in the garden of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones' home, alongside their children, Dylan and Carys Kirk, enjoyed the catch-up alongside his wife Anne and the youngest member of the family, Lua Izzy
