Old Hollywood Stars At Home: Vintage Photos Of Celebrities At Home During The Golden Age Of Hollywood

Sara Portnoy | November 12, 2024 1:00 am

Before 1970, Hollywood was an entirely different scene. There was a lot of glitz and glamour, but stars were also able to have much more privacy than they have today. During the Golden Age of Hollywood celebs such as Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe lived in some beautiful homes, but so many of their fans never got to see what their homes really looked like.

Until now...

Shirley Temple Owned Pigs

shirley temple feeding her pigs at home
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This photo was taken in 1934 of a six-year-old Shirley Temple at her Los Angeles home. The singing and dancing tot is pictured feeding some milk to her pigs.

Temple shot to stardom by starring in dozens of musical films such as Curly Top and Baby Take a Bow. She went on to become the U.S. ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

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Elvis Presley Enjoying Some Family Time

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Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley & Elvis Presley at home on a lounge chair
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One of the most iconic celebrity homes is Elvis Presley's 13.8-acre mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. This photo shows him, his wife Priscilla, and their daughter Lisa Marie at Graceland in 1968.

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Graceland became a public museum in 1982 and was the first rock and roll-related site to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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Lauren Bacall Kicks Back

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Lauren Bacall sitting in an armchair with one leg propped on a table, at her home
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Actress Lauren Bacall is seen in her living room during the early spring of 1969. She is pictured in her apartment in The Dakota, an Upper West Side building near Central Park, that's worth an estimated $26.6 million.

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Bacall started her career as a model and made her film debut at 19 opposite husband Humphrey Bogart in To Have and Have Not.

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Humphrey Bogart Relaxes By The Pool

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This rare photo shows a glimpse into the personal life of actor Humphrey Bogart in his backyard by the pool. He shared this home with actress Lauren Bacall.

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Bogart began his career on Broadway, but soon became one of the most popular screen actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

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Roy Rogers Takes His Sons On A Tractor Ride

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Roy Rogers and sons ride a tractor at home in 1958
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Roy Rogers is seen with two of his nine children riding a tractor in front of their home in 1958. This photo shows Rogers at his 168-acre hilltop ranch near Chatsworth, California, which was later expanded to 300 acres.

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He became of the most popular Western stars of his era after appearing on The Roy Rogers Show.

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Dean Martin Jets Off On His Motorcycle

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Here, legendary singer Dean Martin is seen in front of his Beverly Hills home in 1960 as he sets out to leave on his Honda motorcycle.

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Martin was one of the founding members of the Rat Pack alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Some of his most well-known songs included "That's Amore" and "Sway."

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Time For Tea With Julie Andrews

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julie andrews in her kitchen with tea in 1959
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Keeping true to her British roots, Julie Andrews is seen making some tea in her kitchen at the age of 23.

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Andrews began her career as a child actor appearing in the West End, but soon became a breakout star with roles in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music.

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Getting Musical With Marilyn Monroe

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marilyn monroe reading sheet music while sitting on a bedroom floor with a tape player on the side
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This vintage photo shows a 24-year-old Marilyn Monroe reading some sheet music and using a tape player in her bedroom.

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Monroe is a symbol of Old Hollywood and is known for classic films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. Some may not know that she is actually a natural brunette.

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Elizabeth Taylor Gives Her Dog A Bath

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Celebrities prove they are just like normal people every day. This photo shows a 17-year-old Elizabeth Taylor giving her golden cocker spaniel, Amy, a bath at her home in 1940.

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Taylor started her career as a child actor in There's One Born Every Minute, but went on to become a Hollywood leading lady in films such as Cleopatra and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

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Ingrid Bergman Prepares A Cake

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Actress Ingrid Bergman is seen in this 1953 photo cutting a cake and preparing a table for a birthday party for her one-year-old child at her home.

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The Swedish actress had a career that spanned five decades including roles in Casablanca, The Bells of St. Mary's, and Joan of Arc.

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Jane Fonda Dialing A Telephone

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This 1962 photo of actress Jane Fonda shows her dialing on a telephone in her home. During this time she was appearing on Broadway and studying with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

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Fonda is still one of the most beloved entertainers of the current age and can most recently be seen on Netflix's Grace and Frankie.

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Natalie Wood Lounging Around

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Here is a photo of a 17-year-old Natalie Wood hanging out near the backyard of her house. Wood started acting at the tender age of four and her big break came four years later in Miracle on 34th Street.

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As she aged, her roles became more mature with parts in West Side Story, Splendor in the Grass, and Inside Daisy Clover.

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Audrey Hepburn Watering The Plants

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Even celebrities have to do chores sometimes. This photo shows actress Audrey Hepburn watering her plants in her New York apartment in 1954.

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Not only did she lead classic movies such as Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's, but she was also a major style icon. She was added to the International Best Dressed List in 1961.

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Lucille Ball Washes Dishes With Desi Arnaz

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Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz washing dishes at home on their five acre ranch.
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Not only did Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz play husband and wife on I Love Lucy, but the two were actually married in real life.

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Here, they are pictured in late 1952 washing dishes in the kitchen of their five-acre Los Angeles ranch house. I Love Lucy went on to become one of the most successful sitcoms in television history.

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Debbie Reynolds Shows Off Her Home With Eddie Fisher

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Actress Debbie Reynolds and husband Eddie Fisher are seen at their Pacific Palisades home in the spring of 1956.

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Reynolds was a triple threat and starred in hits such as Singin' in the Rain and Tammy and the Bachelor. She was also the mother of actress Carrie Fisher and the grandmother of actress Billie Lourd.

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Judy Garland Snuggles With Her Husband

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judy garland with mickey deans in their home
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Actress Judy Garland tied the knot with her fifth husband Mickey Deans on March 15, 1969. This photo shows the two of them in their London home the morning of that day.

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Garland had an expansive entertainment career with leading roles in The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, and many more.

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Orson Welles Working On A Script

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This photo of Orson Welles at home has him smiling and carefree as he looks over a script in his bathrobe.

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Welles was an iconic actor, writer, producer, and director who worked on classics including Citizen Kane and The Third Man. His radio broadcast called The War of the Worlds caused some listeners to believe extraterrestrials were invading earth.

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Cary Grant Challenges His Wife To A Board Game

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After Cary Grant and wife Virginia Cherrill went on their honeymoon in 1934, the two settled into their home and had a nice evening playing a board game.

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Grant was one of Hollywood's top choices for leading men from the 1930s to the 1960s with roles in North by Northwest and To Catch a Thief.

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Clint Eastwood Dances With His Wife

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An ordinary night for Clint Eastwood and wife Maggie in 1965 included dancing in their living room with a multitude of records to play on their turntable.

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Eastwood is best known for his Western filmography with parts in Rawhide and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. He has eight children with many in the entertainment industry.

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Paul Newman Relaxes With Wife Joanne Woodward

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Feet up, Joanne and Paul Newman share a relaxing moment while reading movie scripts
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This 1958 photo shows actor Paul Newman with his wife Joanne relaxing in their living room while reading scripts. The two had recently finished filming Rally Round the Flag, Boys where they played husband and wife.

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Newman started acting at the age of 10 in local theatre productions but received critical acclaim after starring in Somebody Up There Likes Me and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

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Bette Davis Gets Some Playtime In With Her Dogs

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This rare photo of Bette Davis shows her playing with two of her dogs in the backyard of her Brentwood Heights, California home in 1933.

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Davis' career spanned over 50 years with over 100 acting credits in films such as All About Eve and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.

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Charlie Chaplin Sits Back And Ponders

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Here, is Charlie Chaplin as an 80-year-old sitting outside his home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

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Chaplin was one of the first actors to become a movie star and was known for his comedic silent films. He would often don his Tramp getup including a bowler hat and toothbrush mustache.

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Walt Disney Is Surrounded By Family On His Hammock

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walt disney relaxing on a hammock with his family and their pet dog
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Family was one of the most important things to Walt Disney and this photo shows just how close they were. They are gathered at their Los Angeles home with Walt lying on his hammock in 1955.

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Walt Disney created an empire with animated films, theme parks, and so much more.

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Rita Hayworth Takes A Bite

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This candid 1950 photo of actress and dancer Rita Hayworth shows her silly side as she grabs a snack that's fresh out of the oven.

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Hayworth appeared in 61 films over 37 years and was given the nickname "The Love Goddess" because she was seen as a glamorous screen idol.

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Joan Crawford Sits With Her Dog By The Fire

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joan crawford poses in front of her fireplace at home with her pet dachshund
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Joan Crawford was ready for the camera when this photo was taken in 1940. She is sitting next to her beloved pet dachshund and the two are keeping warm by the fireplace.

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Crawford started her career as a dancer in a traveling theater company and made her way to Broadway. After signing with MGM, she shot to superstardom during the Depression-era.

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John Lennon Tucks His Son Into Bed

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One of the most unique features of John Lennon's son Julian's bedroom is that his blanket matches the wallpaper. They are pictured in their Liverpool house in 1966.

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During this time, Lennon was in one of the world's most popular rock bands as a founding member of the Beatles. He went on to have a successful solo career as well.

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Fred Astaire Crouches By The Pool

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This vintage photo shows a 67-year-old Fred Astaire crouched by the pool at his Beverly Hills home. Astaire has been called the greatest dancer in film history.

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His career spanned a total of 76 years where he acted, sang, and danced on Broadway, musical films, and television specials. Some may remember his roles in Top Hat and Swing Time.

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Vivien Leigh Reads A Book

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Vivien Leigh is photographed elegantly lying in her bed while reading a book at her London home in early 1935.

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Leigh won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice for leading roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. She also acted alongside her husband Sir Laurence Olivier on many occasions.

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Doris Day Playing Checkers With Her Family

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Doris Day was always ready for some much-needed family time. This 1955 photo shows her playing a round of checkers with her son Terry Melcher and mother in their home.

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Day began her career as a singer for big bands but was able to find success going solo. Some of her famous hits include "Que Será, Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" and "Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps."

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Steve McQueen Shoots Pool

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steve mcqueen playing pool at his house
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Actor Steve McQueen is as focused as ever in this 1965 photo. He's getting ready to sink a ball while playing pool at his Los Angeles home.

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McQueen was given the nickname "The King of Cool" for his antihero persona seen in films such as The Sand Pebbles and The Cincinnati Kid.