The Beverly Hills home of late Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne, who passed away in April at 102 just 15 months after her spouse’s death at the age 103, was listed for $7.495 million earlier this month.
Built in 1920s, the property is situated in one of the most exclusive, and pricey neighborhoods.
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.
Famous home: In Beverly Hills, the home of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas (who died at 102 in April) and Anne Douglas (who died at 103 in April), was sold for $7.495million earlier this month
Los Angeles’ real estate maven Rochelle Altas Maize of Nourmand & Associates told Fox 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,’ she revealed. “It’s an abridged Grauman’s Chinese Theatres Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
In addition to calling the estate ‘iconic and special,’ Maize said 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.
Kirk Douglas and Anne, a long-term couple, are pictured in the house in 2008.
A sprawling house: This 1920s home, which is located in one the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods of America, features four bedrooms, six baths, a single-story, 4,648-square foot main residence and a guesthouse.
Unique: The Backyard Walk of Fame is unique with 40 original autographs of Hollywood royalty such as Frank Sinatra (Lucille Ball), Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor.
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 stone had Kirk’s and Joel’s sons Peter, Joel and Eric’s names written on the top.
After documenting signatures from Milton Berle and Dean Martin as well as Barbra Streisand, she admitted that “I didn’t count all of them,” Some stones may have more than one name.
Dirt was also informed by Maize that the Douglas family found it a sanctuary. They enjoyed the’manicured plants, timeless design’, and the indoor/outdoor living spaces.
‘There are 22 stones—some were from their previous property,’ she revealed. It’s almost like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Perfect home
After documenting signatures from Milton Berle and Dean Martin as well as Barbra Streisand, she admitted that “I didn’t count all of them,” “Some stones are named three to four times.”
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
She continued, “Fond memories were created here, and we hope that the same story continues for the next owner,”
This home has undergone extensive renovations. It was originally purchased for $400,000 in 1970.
Kirk and Anne were married for over 65 years, after meeting on 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.
She continued, “Fond memories were created here and we hope that the same story continues for the next owner.”
Amazing deal: This house, which underwent extensive renovations in recent years, was originally purchased back in 1970s for $400,000
Family home: Kirk & Anne are married since 1965. They met while filming Act of Love in Paris in 1953.
Love story: 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
Where they raised their sons: One year later, they married in Las Vegas and they had two sons Peter, born in 1955, and Eric, born in 1958
In their 2017 joint book ‘Kirk & Anne: Letters to Love, Laughter and a Lifetime at Hollywood’, the couple revealed that Anne was his first target.
She was married to Buydens at the time and was engaged to Pier Angeli, an Italian actress.
Kirk offered her the job of his assistant, but she declined. Finally, she agreed to be with him and made it clear that it was’strictly business.
The Douglas Foundation is a power team. The couple created it together. It focuses on education, health, and 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
Make memories. When hosting dinner parties they asked friends to sign their names on concrete steppingstones (as shown above).
Beautiful location: Property is at 805 N. Rexford Drive. This is just minutes away from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
They quickly fell in love.
Anne shared their story in the book: “We spoke for hours and I felt a strange sensation in my heart that this man could be my husband,”
‘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.
“The film ended and the men returned home to their spouses and loved ones.
They married one year later in Las Vegas, having two children, Eric and Peter.
Eric was an actor, comedian and writer. He tragically lost his life to accidental overdose at 46.
Impressive: These 22 stones, together with 40 original autographs include famous names such as Milton Berle, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.
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
Time capsule: Rochelle Atlas Maize of Nourmand & Associates, who holds the listing, said: Kirk and Ann Douglas loved to entertain
Peter, a TV and Film Producer won the Emmy in 1988 for Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special with Inherit the Wind.
Anne’s film career continued to grow throughout the 50s when she served as an assistant and location scout on Moulin rouge in 1952.
She was appointed head of protocol for the Cannes Film Festival in 1999.
Later she became president of the independent film production company, Bryna Co.
There she worked as a producer on Peg Leg, Musket & Sabre and Posse which Kirk starred in.
She was the reason her husband’s career went so well, he said.
“I sometimes wonder what might have happened to Anne if I had not married her.” Kirk once stated that I wouldn’t have survived without Anne’s business acumen or her well-honed instincts.
Anne also spoke out about how she felt that Anne had to prevent her husband, Michael Todd from taking a private flight in 1958 to New York. It crashed and killed all aboard.
Additional signatures include: Warren Beatty and Charlton Heston; Natalie Wood; Barbra Streisand and Polly Bergen; Henry Fonda and Henry Curtis.
Wow! The property, measuring 4,648 feet in area comes equipped with its personal Hollywood Walk of Fame
A perfect pair: Kirk attributes much of the success and longevity of his own career to his spouse
She wrote that she had an odd feeling and didn’t know why.
‘Absolutely not, Kirk. Kirk, I do not want to see you aboard that plane. He can meet you there if you fly commercially.
Kirk told Darling that he saved her life when he learned of the crash in New Mexico. From now on, I trust your instincts completely.
Anne dedicated much of her later time to her work in philanthropy.
For decades, she was a campaigner for the Los Angeles County Music Center.
“I wonder often what I would do if Anne hadn’t been my wife.” Kirk said that without Anne’s business acumen, and finely-honed intuitions, I may not have made it.
Tragic: Anne also spoke out about how she felt that her husband was not allowed to board a private plane to New York from Palm Springs with Michael Todd, a director in 1958. It crashed and killed all aboard.
Cofounding Cedars-Sinai Research for Women’s Cancers, she championed women’s career opportunities and created the Anne Douglas Center for Women in the Los Angeles Mission.
The Douglas Foundation was also founded by the couple. It focuses on education, health and 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.
She wrote, “I don’t understand what happened to me. But I felt a strange sensation.”
Admiration mutual: Kirk and Darling were both touched by the news that the plane crashed in New Mexico. From now on, I trust your instincts.