Beverly Hills estate of actor Kirk Douglas was sold by Dr. Stephen Liu, an orthopedic surgeon, for $9.015 Million, or $1.52million more than what the seller asked.
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.
Maize said that they typically get between four and five offers at the price points. “Usually, this kind of activity is reserved to a property worth $1million.
The iconic home of Kirk Douglas, the late actor, has been sold to Dr. Stephen Liu, an orthopedic surgeon, for $9.015million, or $1.52 million more than the asking price.
Built in 1920s, the property is situated in one of the most exclusive, and pricey neighborhoods.
It also has a Backyard Walk of Fame with 22 stone autographs by Hollywood royalty, including Frank Sinatra (Luisa Tran, Elizabeth Taylor), Roger Moore, Roger Moore and Jane Fonda.
Maize stated that celebrities properties are always in the news, but she felt that Walk of Fame stones would be a great addition to any property.
Liu, the founder of Forme, said in an email to the outlet that Forme’s ‘biggest surprise’ was the garden Walk of Fame.
Kirk Douglas (left) and Anne Douglas (right), pictured in the home in 2008. Douglas and Anne, their wife, purchased the house for $400,000 in 1976. Anne passed away at the age 101 in April. This was just 15 months after Douglas’s death.
Kirk celebrated his 100th birthday in Los Angeles in May 2017. The famous Hollywood couple were photographed together.
The home was purchased by Dr. Stephen Liu an orthopedic surgeon. He said that it’s ‘warm and’, ‘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 Anne, their wife, purchased the property in 1976 for $400,000, and they lived in it until Anne’s death in April 2021. Anne was 102 at that time, only 15 months after her husband died at the age 103.
Maize told Fox Business that the couple ‘entertained a lot’ and she was informed ‘that Kirk would have people autograph cement pavers at dinner parties. They have 22 stones, some of which are from their former property. This is Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame steered by steroids.
A striking home in 1920s. The property is located in one the most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods of the country. It has four bedrooms and six bathrooms. There’s also a single-story, 4,648 square-foot main residence and a 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 is like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame steroids.
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.
After documenting signatures from Milton Berle and Dean Martin as well as Barbra Streisand, she stated that “I didn’t count all of them,” Some stones may have more than one name.
Maize shared with Dirt the story of the Douglas family’s home as a’sanctuary’. They loved its’manicured plants, timeless design’ and indoor-outdoor living areas.
Ideal home: Maize described the estate as ‘iconic’ and special and said that it took her over an hour just to take photos and record the signatures of some of the most sought-after actors, talents, and celebrities in the world.
“I didn’t count all of the signatures”: After documenting autographs from Milton Berle and Dean Martin, Barbra Strreisand, as well as many others, the realtor admitted that he had not counted them all. You may find three or more names on some stones.
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
The property was described as having “Fond memories” and that the owners hoped the story would continue for future generations.
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.
Unique: The Backyard Walk of Fame is unique with 40 autographs of Hollywood royalty such as Frank Sinatra (Lucille Ball), Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor.
Making memories
Famous friends: George Burns, Gracie Allen and Gracie Allen were late comedians who signed a stone along with Barbra Strreisand.
Incredible location: James Mason & Ronald Reagan can be seen in the stone paving of this property located just minutes from Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Hills Hotel.
In high esteem: Late actor James Mason (left) and former president Ronald Reagan had also signed the paving slabs
Later, they revealed in their book ‘Kirk & Anne 2017: Letters Of Love, Laughter, And a Lifetime In Hollywood’, that Anne had initially encouraged him to pursue his affairs.
He was then engaged to Pier Angeli, an Italian actress.
Kirk approached her to offer her a position as an assistant. She declined, and then she finally agreed to join him in the business of assisting.
They quickly fell in love.
Impressive: The 22 signed stone, with the 40 original autographs, include several famous names including Warren Beatty and Burt Lancaster
These are the men: Warren Beatty (left), and Burt Lancaster, (right). They had both signed 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)
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), placed his signature at the bottom left corner. George Segal, however, penned it in the top right
Anne wrote that they had talked for hours about their feelings and she felt strangely in love with him.
‘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 families.
They married one year later in Las Vegas, having two children, Eric and Peter.
Every star: Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda and Jack Nicholson were other notable signatures
Star studded: Jack Nicholson and Jane Fonda shared a slab of paving for autographs
Wow: The 4,648-square-foot property own personal Hollywood Walk of Fame also features Lucille Ball and Cyd Charisse
Glamorous gal pals: Actresses Lucille Ball (left) and Cyd Charisse (right) were among the big names written out
Eric became an actor and comedian, but tragically overdosed on accidental drugs in 2004, at the age 46.
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.
Next year she was the head of protocol at Cannes Film Festival for three years.
She went on to become the President of her husband’s film production company, Bryna Co.
Wow, Mary Livingstone and Jack Benny are autographed above
Stars: Jack Benny, a comedian signed with Mary Livingstone as his co-star
Perfect pair: Rosalind Russell and Edward G. Robinson signed the slabs
Two’s company: Rosalind Russell (left) left her mark as did Edward G. Robinson
Perfect pair: Tony and Janet-Leigh Curtis’ autographs are seen above
Superstars: Tony Curtis (actor) and Janet Leigh Curtis (spouse), were invited by the company to put their signatures
There she worked as a producer on Peg Leg, Musket & Sabre and Posse which Kirk starred in.
He said that his wife was a major contributor to the success of his career.
“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 her business acumen or her well-honed instincts.
The slabs feature old friends Polly Burgess (Frank Sinatra), Natalie Wood and 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 friend Louis Jourdan, a French film actor, signed one of the slabs
Anne and Michael Todd also shared how Anne stopped her husband from flying on an airplane with Michael Todd, a director of Palm Springs, to New York in 1958. The plane crashed into the ground killing everyone onboard.
She wrote that she had an odd feeling and didn’t know why. ‘Absolutely not, Kirk. You are not welcome on this plane. Fly commercial to meet him.
Kirk shared with her the words he said to Darling when they found out that the plane had crashed into New Mexico. From now on, I trust your instincts completely.
Anne gave up her career in philanthropy to devote much of her attention to this work later.
More space: There were still plenty of paving stones left for future friends to sign their names
Amazing deal: This house, which underwent extensive renovations in recent years, was originally purchased back in 1970 for $400,000
Families home: Kirk and Anne have been married over 65 years after they met on the Act of Love set in Paris in 1953. They then moved into their small home.
Love story: The pair lived together in Beverly Hills happily married for more than three decades before their deaths
It was where they had their children: Eric and Peter were born in 1958. Kirk, a father to Michael (born 1944) and Joel (born 1947 with Diana Dill), was his first wife.
The power team: Kirk and Anne started The Douglas Foundation while at home. 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
For decades, she was a campaigner for the Los Angeles County Music Center.
Her advocacy for women’s rights led to the founding of the Cedars-Sinai Research for Women’s Cancers (Cedars-Sinai Research for Women’s Cancers) and the creation of the Anne Douglas Center for Women, Los Angeles Mission.
The Douglas Foundation, which is focused on improving education and health as well as providing opportunities for kids was founded together by The Douglas Foundation.
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