The Beverly Hills home of late Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne was listed for $7.495 million earlier this month.
The couple lived out their final days in the sprawling mansion, with Anne passing away in April at 102 just 15 months after her husband’s death at the age 103.
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 40 original autographs by Hollywood royalty including Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Roger Moore, Ronald Reagan, Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda.
Iconic home: The Beverly Hills home of late Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne, who passed away in April at 102 just over a year after her spouse’s death at the age 103, was listed for $7.495 million 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 like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame on 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.
Longtime couple: Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne pictured at the home in 2008
Sprawling 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
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
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’
Unsurprisingly, there was a stone with Kirk and sons Michael, Joel, Peter and Eric’s name penned on top.
‘I didn’t count all the signatures,’ she confessed after documenting autographs from Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand and countless others. ‘Some of the stones have three or four names.’
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.
‘There are 22 stones—some were from their previous property,’ she revealed. ‘It’s like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame on steroids’
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,’ she 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
‘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 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.
‘Fond memories were made here and we hope the same narrative continues for the next owners,’ she continued
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 when he was starring in the film and she was doing publicity for it
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
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, she was still married to Buydens and 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.
Power team: Together, the couple also 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
Making memories: When they would host dinner parties, they would ask their friends to sign their names in concrete stepping stones ( as seen above)
Famous friends: Late comedy duo George Burns and Gracie Allen (left) signed a stone alongside Barbra Streisand
Amazing location: The property is located at 805 N. Rexford Drive, minutes away from the Beverly Hills Hotel and Rodeo Drive
In high esteem: Late actor James Mason (left) and former president Ronald Reagan had also signed the paving slabs
‘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.
Eric went on to become an actor and stand-up comedian but tragically died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004 aged 46.
Impressive: The 22 signed stone, with the 40 original autographs, include the following famous names: Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Lucille Ball, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Fisher, Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty, Charlton Heston, Natalie Wood, Barbra Streisand, Polly Bergen, Henry Fonda
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
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.
Time capsule: Rochelle Atlas Maize of Nourmand & Associates, who holds the listing, said: Kirk and Ann Douglas loved to entertain
A-list: Michael Caine (left) planted his signature in the bottom left corner while George Segal penned his in top left
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.
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.
Other signatures included: Warren Beatty, Charlton Heston, Natalie Wood, Barbra Streisand, Polly Bergen, Henry Fonda, Angie Dickinson, Tony Curtis, Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, Ricardo Montalban, Barbara Rush, Edward G. Robinson, Roger Moore, Rosalind Russell, Robert Stack, James Mason, Cyd Charisse, Shirley MacLaine, Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Hugh O Brian, Jack Lemmon, Joanna and Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Montgomery, Burt Lancaster and Edie Adams
Star-studded: Jane Fonda and Jack Nicholson shared a paving slab for their autographs
Wow: The 4,648-square-foot property comes complete with its very own, personal Hollywood Walk of Fame
Glamorous gal pals: Actresses Lucille Ball (left) and Cyd Charisse (right) were among the big names written out
Wow: The 4,648-square-foot property comes complete with its very own, personal Hollywood Walk of Fame
Stars: Comedian Jack Benny signed with his wife and co-star Mary Livingstone
Perfect pair: Kirk credited much of the success of his own career was down to his wife
Two’s company: Rosalind Russell (left) left her mark as did Edward G. Robinson
Perfect pair: Kirk credited much of the success of his own career was down to his wife
Superstars: Actors and spouses Tony and Janet-Leigh Curtis were invited to place their signatures
‘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.
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.
‘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
Tragic: 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
Old friends: Kirk’s longtime pal Frank Sinatra was among the A-list stars signing their name
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.
‘I don’t know what came over me, but I had a strange feeling,’ she wrote in their book
Mutual admiration: 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’