Away From the Cameras Old Hollywood Stars at Home

The Hollywood of this era is characterized by massive mansions in Beverly Hills, flashy cars, and wannabe content creators snapping photos for social media on Rodeo Drive. Hollywood wasn’t always like this though. Back in the 1950s, when the big studios existed, and young actors and actresses made their way to Los Angeles, Hollywood had a very different feel to it. The classic stars of old Hollywood, like James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor all had lives in the spotlight, but their time spent behind closed doors was even more important.

All of the classic film stars of the time had glamorous apartments in New York City, and homes in the Hollywood Hills tucked away from the flashing bulbs of the paparazzi. Take a walk down memory lane, and see some of the hottest stars of classic Hollywood’s homes away from the film industry. The aesthetic of each home was tied to the style of the star that had chosen it. Some stars like a more subdued aesthetic, while others enjoyed the vibrant patterns of the 1960s and 1970s. Start scrolling to see the lavish homes of old Hollywood, and the stars who lived in them back in the day.

Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti

Sophia Loren was known for being a siren on the big screen, and while filming she managed to meet a producer by the name of Carlo Ponti. Ponti may have been 22 years older than her, but that didn’t matter.

Their marriage lasted until Ponti eventually passed away in 2007. During their marriage, the pair lived in a palatial Roman home built in the 1500s. It was right in the center of Rome, and the couple were able to walk over to the Colosseum.

James Dean

As soon as James Dean starred in a film called Rebel Without A Cause, he became a household name. Dean did not let his newfound fame get to his head though. He had begun his career in a one room apartment in New York City, which didn’t even have a bathroom.

To keep himself centered throughout his career, he would return to this tiny room and get back to basics. Even the glitz and glamor of Hollywood can be a bit much for some stars.

Jayne Mansfield

Actress Jayne Mansfied was known for her platinum blonde hair and her love of the color pink. Her home was dubbed the ‘pink palace’ as she made sure to include pink in almost every room.

She was particularly proud of her career, and adorned the wall of her stairway with framed magazine covers of herself. Kim Kardashian has done the same in her closet, and this might be where she got the inspiration for that.

Shirley Temple

There are a few child actors that go down in history for this era, and Shirley Temple is one of them. Her angelic face and blonde curls immediately caught the attention of studios in 1935, which is when she had her first starring role.

As a young woman, Temple continued acting, and here she is spotted grasping some fan mail by her grand piano. Back in the day, starlets would often respond to fans with handwritten notes.