Luxury Living: Homes graced by stars of the silver screen

This dream beachfront retreat in Malibu, California, was custom-designed for Frank Sinatra and his fourth wife, Barbara. The elegant seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom home was styled for grand entertaining and hosted many of the Sinatras’ friends, including actors Dick Van Dyke, Gregory Peck and Jack Lemmon. Among the lavish appointments are an indoor-outdoor bar, gourmet kitchen, beachside patio, landscaped gardens, interior courtyard with swimming pool, and a vast master suite with vaulted ceilings, dual bathrooms, steam room, hair salon, and a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

This elegant colonial-style residence, set within nearly an acre of walled gardens in the Parisian suburb of Marnes-la-Coquette, was built in the 1950s for French film and stage actor Jean Marais, best known as the star of Jean Cocteau’s 1946 adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. The 3,659-square-foot main residence features a living/reception room, formal dining room, and kitchen. Five of the home’s six bedrooms open to the garden, a haven of tranquility which also features a herb garden, swimming pool and a caretaker’s lodge.

Irish acting legend Richard Harris’s former Paradise Island estate, Kilkee House, is set on 2.5 acres with a private beach and a deepwater harbour. Over the years, the property has hosted a who’s who of celebrities, including actors Peter O’Toole, Pierce Brosnan, and Nicolas Cage. The stately colonial-style beach house and its elegant grounds have been beautifully restored by the current owners. The luxurious amenities include a lagoon-style pool and a poolside guest cottage with a private terrace that served as Harris’s rehearsal stage.

Owlwood, a historic 10-acre estate in the exclusive Los Angeles enclave of Holmby Hills, has an impressive Hollywood pedigree. Designed in 1936 by renowned architect Robert D. Farquhar, the magnificent Italian Revival-style mansion was once owned by actor Tony Curtis and, later, musical duo Sonny and Cher. The 12,000-square-foot residence is appointed with grand reception rooms including a baronial living room, oval sun room, library, and formal dining room. Composed of three lots, the verdant grounds are graced with rolling lawns, a tennis court, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool with poolhouse.

Chelston, a private, 14-acre beachfront compound overlooking Grape Bay, has hosted the likes of Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas and celebrated actress Brooke Shields. An integral part of Bermuda’s heritage, the estate served as the official Bermuda residence of the United States Consul General for more than 30 years, during which time it also hosted presidents and heads of state.

The property has been fully updated and includes a 10,000-square-foot Colonial-style main house, four cottages, a beach pavilion, pool complex, and croquet lawn.