Throughout the steep hills, wooded glens and serpentine streets of L.A.’s renowned Laurel Canyon are innumerable homes that have passed from one showbiz heavy hitter to another. Case in point, a 1920s Spanish villa that was long ago owned by “The Maltese Falcon” star Mary Astor, later owned by Denny Doherty of the Mamas and the Papas and rented by David Bowie.
Tax records show that about 18 years ago, the impressively pedigreed pad was purchased for about $2.1 million by another star, “The Sopranos” alum Drea de Matteo, who is now looking to sell the distinctively appointed ridge-line oasis at a smidgen under $4 million. Listing agents are Craig Strong and Kristin Neithercut of Compass.
Enveloped in trees and foliage that ensure celeb-style privacy, painted with a variety of rich colors, and emblazoned with vibrant tile work, both inside and out, the vintage home offers four bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a couple of powder rooms. The 3,400-square-foot character-filled abode is chockablock with an eclectic and deeply personal array of antiques and collectibles enhanced by lots of original detailing, including hand-carved wooden ceiling beams, decorative wrought iron work and lustrously polished wood floors.
Beyond the turreted entrance are a vast living room with soaring ceilings, a fireplace and French doors, a dining room that easily accommodates dozen, and a homey kitchen complemented by a window-lined breakfast nook. Other spaces of note include a blood-red library/den, and a vermillion-walled family/games room funked up with royal-blue trim and sassy cheetah-print carpeting.
Three guest bedrooms share a single bathroom sheathed in minty-green antique tiles, while the primary suite offers a small balcony, a sunroom/sitting room, a walk-in closet with more cheetah-print carpeting, and a boldly tiled butter-yellow bathroom housed in the turret. (Denny was photographed leaning out of one of the windows that lines the turret.)
Surrounding the…