47 Vintage Postcards That Show the Grand Mansions of Our Favorite Vintage Hollywood Stars

Clare Fitzgerald | November 30, 2024 5:00 pm

If there was one thing we’d bring back from the early-to-mid-20th century, it would be postcards with celebrity houses on them. It’s not that we’re nosey (although we are), it’s just interesting to see how the other half live. We recently stumbled upon several vintage postcards from the 1920s-80s, all of which feature the residences of some of the era’s most famous stars, and we thought we’d share them with you.

Keep on reading to learn how your favorite Vintage Hollywood celebrities lived back in the day!

Gene Autry

Vintage postcard featuring the grand estate of “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry.

Publish Date: 1938

Location: Los Angeles, California

Joan Crawford

The modest (by Hollywood standards) ranch house of popular Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) actor Joan Crawford.

Published: 1938

Location: Los Angeles, California

Doris Day

Vintage postcard featuring Doris Day’s estate, which, from the road, looks like any other house you’d see on a suburban street.

Published: 1958

Location: Los Angeles, California

Ann Harding

The gorgeous estate owned by one of the original “talking film” actors, Ann Harding.

Published: 1938

Location: Los Angeles, California

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion owned by one of Hollywood’s original power couples, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Published: 1958

Location: Los Angeles, California

James Cagney

Talk about grand! This postcard features an image of the mansion once inhabited by James Cagney.

Published: 1936

Location: Los Angeles, California

Don Rickles

Vintage postcard featuring an image of funny man Don Rickles’ residence. It looks like someone had a green thumb.

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

Lionel Barrymore

It’s no surprise veteran actor Lionel Barrymore owned such a mouth-dropping mansion, considering how successful he was.

Published: 1924

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Jimmy Durante

Jimmy Durante was one of the most prominent comedians of the mid-20th century, so it makes sense he’d live in a nice house.

Published: 1958

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Loretta Young

Vintage postcard featuring the gorgeous mansion owned by actor Loretta Young.

Published: 1941

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Marilyn Monroe

When you think of Marilyn Monroe, you likely picture her living in a mansion, as opposed to a house of this size. The only thing that hints at her stardom is the red convertible in the driveway.

Published: 1956

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Buster Keaton

We know it’s an illustration of Buster Keaton’s mansion, but we can’t help but think “WOW” upon seeing all of the flowers!

Published: 1923

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Cher

When we think of Cher, this is the type of mansion we picture her living in. Lots of privacy, not a prying eye in sight.

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

Liberace

Vintage postcard of world-famous pianist and Las Vegas performer Liberace.

Published: 1958

Location: Los Angeles, California

Jean Harlow

The mansion owned by one of the original blonde bombshells, Jean Harlow.

Publication: 1936-37

Location: Bel Air, Los Angeles, California

Dinah Shore

Ranch house owned by musician and actor Dinah Shore. With that stunning view of the mountains, we’d never want to leave.

Published: 1956

Location: Palm Springs, California

Frank Sinatra

We’re not going to lie, we were a bit stunned to see how ordinary Frank Sinatra’s house was. Given how famous he was, thanks to his solo music and work with the Rat Pack, we thought he’d be living in a big mansion.

Published: 1958

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Eddie Cantor

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion owned by comedian and actor Eddie Cantor.

Published: 1936-37

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Shirley Jones

Similar to Sinatra, we’re surprised at how modest a home Shirley Jones lived in, considering she was the matriarch of The Partridge Family (1970-74).

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

Danny Thomas

Vintage postcard featuring the large, yet simple mansion owned by jack-of-all-trades entertainer and philanthropist Danny Thomas.

Published: 1958

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas was one of the most famous actors of the mid-20th century, and this residence, surrounded my mountains, was his reward for all that hard work.

Published: 1956

Location: Palm Springs, California

Charlton Heston

Postcard featuring an illustration of Charleton Heston's home, with a portrait of him in the bottom left corner

Hilltop residence of storied American actor and political activist Charlton Heston.

Published: 1976

Location: Los Angeles, California

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward were one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, and this vintage postcard shows the mansion they once lived in.

Published: 1977

Location: Los Angeles, California

Mitzi Gaynor

The Spanish-style abode once owned by Mitzi Gaynor.

Published: 1978

Location: Los Angeles, California

Clark Gable

Postcard featuring the former residence of popular Vintage Hollywood actor Clark Gable.

Published: 1937

Location: Brentwood Heights, California

Ed McMahon

We think Ed McMahon’s house may be our favorite on this list. It’s simple, yet the garden makes it something special.

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

Goldie Hawn

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion once owned by Goldie Hawn.

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart

Postcard featuring a photograph of Jimmy Stewart's mansion, with a portrait of him in the top right corner

Given the on-screen career Jimmy Stewart had, we’re not surprised at the size of his mansion.

Published: 1958

Location: Los Angeles, California

Charlie Chaplin

Located in Beachwood Canyon and nestled in the Hollywood Hills is Moorcrest, the former mansion – scratch that, castle – of Charlie Chaplin. The residence is currently own by Andy Samberg and Joanna Newsom.

Published: 1921

Location: Hollywood Hills, California

Red Skelton

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion owned by Red Skelton.

Published: 1958

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Debbie Reynolds

Former residence of Debbie Reynolds, the star behind such hits as Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and The Catered Affair (1956).

Published: 1977

Location: Los Angeles, California

Pat Boone

Vintage postcard featuring musician Pat Boone’s mansion, located within a gated community.

Published: 1976

Location: Los Angeles, California

William Wayne McMillan Rogers III

Postcard featuring a photograph of Wayne Rogers' home, with a portrait of him in the bottom right corner

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion once owned by M*A*S*H (1972-83) star, Wayne Rogers.

Published: 1980

Location: Los Angeles, California

Marion Davies

The gorgeous mansion once owned by silent film queen Marion Davies.

Published: 1924

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Errol Flynn

Errol Flynn was everywhere during the early days of Hollywood, so it’s no surprise he owned such an extravagant mansion.

Published: 1940

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Dean Martin

The mansion owned by the “King of Cool” himself, Dean Martin. Given the scene, we’re going to assume it was autumn when this image was captured.

Published: 1977

Location: Los Angeles, California

Mickey Rooney

Aside from Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney was the child star of the Golden Era of Hollywood.

Published: 1938

Location: Encino, California.

Judy Garland

Speaking of Judy Garland, you didn’t think we’d leave her out, did you?

Published: 1940

Location: Bel Air, Los Angeles, California

Jackie Coogan

Vintage postcard featuring the mansion once inhabited by child star Jackie Coogan.

Published: 1923

Location: Los Angeles, California

Bing Crosby

Does anyone else agree that this is the type of mansion you pictured crooner Bing Crosby owning?

Published: 1940

Location: Toluca Lake, North Hollywood, California

Burt Lancaster

The Spanish-style estate owned by one of Vintage Hollywood’s most popular leading men, Burt Lancaster.

Published: 1977

Location: Los Angeles, California

Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

Vintage postcard featuring the grand estate known as Pickfair, which belonged to Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., prior to the couple’s divorce in 1936. Originally built for attorney Lee Allen Phillips, the property was sold to Fairbanks in 1918, and the press soon nicknamed it “Pickfair” after he and his then-wife.

Published: 1921

Location: Beverly Hills, California

Gregory Peck

Vintage postcard featuring the rather modest residence of Gregory Peck, who starred in such classics as To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and Roman Holiday (1953).

Published: 1976

Location: Los Angeles, California