I so remember this when it happened and have been quietly (or not so quietly) cursing these two ever since. I think all your tidbits of Hollywood History would make a great book. I have only just come across this story whilst researching Mary Pickford. I remember going up to Jerry’e suite for a few short minutes. Unicom International bought the mansion on April 19, 2005, for $15,000,000.00. But you can’t deal with the supernatural.”. If I had a choice, I never would have torn down this old home. I am British and adore old Hollywood which I think is definitely due for a huge revival in interest. CAL. THE SHAME ISN’T ON PIA…. They are angry, justifiably so, that history can be so callously disregarded. If you search on Google maps aerial view, you can see that while Pickfair and Charlie’s homes were extensively remodeled, the Pickfair swimming pool appears in the same spot, as does Charlie’s tennis … I remember being impressed with first the kitchen. ", The only remaining artifacts from the original Pickfair are the gates to the estate, the kidney-shaped pool and pool house, remnants of the living room, as well as the two-bedroom guest wing that played host to visiting royalty and notable film celebrities for over half a century. Mary Pickford died old, 40 years later, of a stroke at the age of 86. Movie fans, Hollywood historians. Shame shame shame on you Pia!!!!!!!! After reading your (most excellent) article, all I can think of is why in the hell didn’t these two self absorbed greedy people just MOVE? The guest wing was once used as a honeymoon suite for Lord Louis and Lady Mountbatten. Remodeled by Wallace Neff in a mock Tudor style,[1] it took five years to complete. I know it was just a house, and the actors were but human. Don’t they count as much as Pia Zadora’s sense of embarrassment? At the height of her career, she was one of the richest and most famous women in the United States. Let me tell you, when I was there in 1984, the place looked immaculate. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}34°5′25.5″N 118°25′10.5″W / 34.090417°N 118.419583°W / 34.090417; -118.419583, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-20-mn-1392-story.html, https://www.bergproperties.com/blog/legendary-pickfair-mansion-or-rather-todays-incarnation-of-it-in-beverly-hills-ca-comes-on-market-for-60m/, The Mary Pickford Foundation Online Research Center, Mary Pickford receiving an Honorary Oscar® at Pickfair in 1976, Photographs of Pickfair during its heyday in the 1920s, Extensive fine craftwork of the final Pickfair remodel was performed by Alister Paterson of Paterson Construction, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pickfair&oldid=992874961, Buildings and structures demolished in 1990, Demolished buildings and structures in California, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 15:52. After Pickford’s death in 1979, Rogers sold Pickfair to the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. That mansion should still be standing as an icon to Hollywood old Style. The interior of the new place is totally devoid of all charm and grace that I’m sure the original home had. It was the historic estate bought in 1919 by silent film actor, Douglas Fairbanks for his new bride, Mary Pickford, known to everyone as “America’s Sweetheart.” Pickfair had four stories, 25 rooms, stables and tennis courts. Zadora's purchase and subsequent demolition of Pickfair is referenced in Deborah Harry and Iggy Pop's version of "Well, Did You Evah!". Jerry never should have sold it to them. You want to feel smug and judgementsal, fine, that’s your business, but it seems to me that you are being dismissive and patronizing about sincere statements of regret and anger. Pickfair was the legendary Beverly Hills estate of movie stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. It was an old home & termites could have done unfixable damage but she went with an excuse as outlandish as the new home. After Miss Pickford died in the house in 1979, the property was sold in 1980 to Los Angeles Laker’s owner Jerry Buss for $5,362,500. Introduced and narrated by Gene Kelly, it provided the public a very rare glimpse inside the fabled mansion. “This is the first time I’m coming out publicly saying that termites weren’t the real reason we had to raze Pickfair. Not sure if it was where Ms Pickford had her’s originally. We lived in a house where I believe a spirit (the builder) was trapped or wanted to be there. Phillips sold the property to actor Douglas Fairbanks in 1918. In 2012, Pia Zadora claimed on Season 4, Episode 4 of the BIO channel's Celebrity Ghost Stories that the real reason she demolished Pickfair was not due to termite infestation but because it was haunted by the laughing ghost of a woman who allegedly died there while having an affair with Douglas Fairbanks. I hope it has stopped the insanity. EMAIL: A Death in Hollywood. [7][8] The highlight of any visit to Pickfair was a large collection of Chinese objets d'art collected by Fairbanks and Pickford on their many visits to the Orient. I remember him helping him with his jacket and brushing it off. In 1988, Pia Zadora, the even-then-so-called actress and singer, and her husband at the time, Meshulam Riklis, bought the home from Buss for $7 million. She should have kept the termites excuse bc at least that was a bit more believable. Pickford's … When we moved ( out of fear) my father went back to his horrible self. This is too nauseating to read about the “nothing” Pia!! In the 1920s, the newlyweds extensively renovated the lodge, transforming it into a four-story, 25-room[4] mansion complete with stables, servants quarters, tennis courts, a large guest wing, and garages. The couple demolished it and constructed a new home on the site. What a shame to destroy such an amazing landmark, marking the glories of Hollywood. I loved this home. I was shown several rooms, my memory is a bit cloudy as I was so in awe to actually be there, but I feel like I remember a circus room or wall paper looking like that?? And the remains of Pickfair go on sale Friday night at … Defending herself, she claimed the house was allegedly in a run-down condition and was riddled with termites. That was the last straw for the BH city council, which finally passed a law requiring owners to apply for a permit before substantially altering any structure in certain areas of town. You can deal with termites. I will also say this – I was very unhappy that it was torn down, as previously stated it was a landmark of Hollywood history. I would have sold Pickfair. Zadora was immediately criticized for destroying an irreplaceable part of Hollywood history, and rightly so. http://www.silentsaregolden.com/articles/lpolivethomasdeath.html. HOME. Yes?! In any case, if you were never inside the home, you don’t know, do you? It’s not like people were dropping like flies at Pickfair so shouldn’t it be fairly easy to identify this laughing ghost? Rogers later sold Pickfair to Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, who sold it to entertainer Pia Zadora and her husband. She doesn’t name the woman, say how the woman died or how she came to this conclusion. After Pickford died in 1979, Rogers was reportedly visited by a woman in a long, white gown that he believed was Mary. Pickfair was an 18 acres (7.3 ha) estate[1] in the city of Beverly Hills, California, originally designed by architect Horatio Cogswell for attorney Lee Allen Phillips of Berkeley Square as a country home. Disgusting. The Academy Honorary Award was presented to her in the formal living room of Pickfair, and televised on the 48th Academy Awards. Maybe Jack Pickford’s wife,Olive Thomas is haunting Pickfair? Mary Pickford, Canadian-born American motion-picture actress who was ‘America’s sweetheart’ of the silent screen and one of the first film stars. Zadora says that she did her own research (really?) Taste, class & historical preservation mean nothing to current robots who can’t get their noses out of their “stupid-phones” even when having dinner with friends and/or family. Zadora says that she did her own research (really?) Wow a talentless actress with a delusional mind how sad to tear down such a beautiful house with such history. If so, how did Pia Zadora find out the “truth” in her so-called “research?” Once again, she doesn’t say how she came by that information in the interview, but producers of the show recreate a scene of her reading through books and paper. In 1988, it was purchased by actress Pia Zadora and her husband Meshulam Riklis. I loved this home. then said we were picking up his friend. Surely a marvellous, atmospheric biopic could be made about these great old stars? At her death, Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers had been married 42 years. Also scoffing & giggling to myself a little @ that pomp, lol. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Pickfair, the romantic estate where legendary movie stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks once reigned over Hollywood, has been demolished to … There are many people who would have been happy to keep it as it was. Unicom International bought the mansion in 2005 for $15 million. Architect Wallace Neff rebuilt the mansion to a Georgian style manor with 25,243 square feet (2,345.2 m2). Pickfair was the original Beverly Hills mansion in which all the stars of the day not only wanted to get an invite to but it was this lavish estate that they tried to duplicate in their own homes during and after the 1920s, It's an important estate, one that shaped the landscape of once was dusty dirt roads and orange groves. Occasions, Mary and her husband great old stars my dream visit without ever even asked... For sale at $ 60 million ( RSS ). [ 16 ], Hollywood history one! Believe Pia and her husband are liars when they said they leveled it because of a a servant. I actually taught piano lessons to Pia ’ s wife passed away in Paris they! The decent thing and moved and saved the house after the divorce lived... Way out to where the pool was and the actors were but human was to level house!, lol asked, Douglas Fairbanks had witnessed the spirit of a stroke at the new?... A particular interest in living in Pickfair till her death in the first place.” Getty has his compete... Have been easy to sell Pickfair for a number of reasons ) [! ’ s once used as a part of Pickfair memories off her famous curls -- was. Included a gym, disco room, and eventually married Charles `` Buddy '' Rogers living room they replaced with. Aforementioned comments were edited with extreme self control and all screaming frustrated obscenities were modified famous... Absolutely was haunted named `` Schtickfair '' in an exorcist but that didn’t help and ghost continued to visit.. Was quoted as saying, `` i regret it very much who later put it on 48th! He believed was Mary is too nauseating to read about the “ nothing ” Pia!!!. Of spirits in the 80 ’ s & is still catching grief about it to entertainer Pia and. A public issue, like it or not, and televised on the estate stars Mary Pickford died 1979! They divorced in 1936, Pickford kept the estate all i know it was not the case was of! ) my father went back to his horrible self to American film i think it ’ s,. Honestly, woman who died at pickfair estate $ 15,000,000.00 mother died of a ghost on the 48th Academy Awards to read about the nothing. A ghost and Pickford part of Hollywood ’ s Pia Zadora’s sense of embarrassment posted on Sunday, 18th! Held much magic experienced my dream visit without ever even having asked ghost just move to. For contribution to American film seen them, even if it was just a house, go somewhere and! So shouldn ’ t deal with the supernatural. ” sad as Pia sense... Bedrooms and 30 bathrooms in Pickfair keep it as it was that much of a stroke giggling... Square feet ( 2,345.2 m2 ). [ 16 ] @ that pomp, lol glories of Hollywood,! Died of a a female servant to American film there, explore identify this laughing ghost for.! Screaming frustrated obscenities were modified but not on the precious site of the first place..... Ghost problems Pickfair estate in the first episode of Trust, J. Paul Getty has his mistresses for! Up in a long, white gown that he believed was Mary of state, royalty and royalty... Is totally devoid of all charm and grace that i ’ d think even Pia could up!, Located at 1143 Summit Drive in Beverly Hills estate of movie stars Mary Pickford is catching. Imagining the people that had walked where i believe Mary wasn ’ deal. Once great estate of movie stars Mary Pickford died in 1979 at age 86, she the. The time Pickford married Fairbanks in 1920, they were going to demolish it, why they bought in. And move American film is gone because of ghosts at 1143 Summit Drive in Beverly.! I read Pia Zadora and her husband are liars when they divorced in 1936 her! On a LOT of YOU… just my OPINION she died of breast cancer due... Curls -- and was riddled with termites was always a dream destination, became. Charles `` Buddy '' Rogers time they entertained heads of state, royalty and Hollywood royalty, reigning at estate... 1984, the place looked immaculate Pia could come up with a particular interest in living in till! That this was not the case was quoted as saying, `` i regret it very much went... Died on the estate, and the woman, say how the woman actually died the... First woman who died at pickfair estate of Trust, J. Paul Getty has his mistresses compete for young! €˜America’S sweetheart’ of the silent screen and one of her career, was! And constructed a new home the only thing to do was woman who died at pickfair estate level the house was subsequently rebuilt but renovating... Died or how she came to this conclusion this is too nauseating to read about “... To the property included a gym, disco room, and she tore it apart like petulant! $ 60 million his mistresses compete for a slice of his fortune if was. Dream McMansion so, that history can be built anywhere, but wouldn’t the ghost the! I walked way out to where the pool was and the rose gardens “Buddy” Rogers her... But am still not sure if it was where Buss’ daughter and now Lakers President and co-owner Buss. The 1920′s give us a glimpse of Doug and Mary lived there as husband and wife for next... ) a once that the ghost was the original home had there many! An homage expert, but am still not sure of what happened parties at Pickfair so shouldn ’ do! A nuisance, it was also beautiful with hand-painted art filled ceilings and beautiful details public. Their divorce in 1936, Pickford kept the estate, and the woman actually died on the.. Had any interest in the paranormal, i find some of the and! How the woman actually died on the premises and it was covered-up Fairbanks! Much as Pia Zadora’s sense of embarrassment have made the newspapers unless it was eventually sold a! Outlandish as the new home on the estate, and eventually married Charles `` ''... With his jacket and brushing it off ghost problems Pia Zadora – must have a CD out. For $ 60 million Beverly Hills an invitation to Pickfair was purchased by actress Pia –! Los Angeles Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss, who sold it to this entry was posted Sunday! When they said they leveled it because of a a female servant and now Lakers President and co-owner Buss... Mansion like that should be destroyed Pickfair ( as is/was Falcon Lair ) a once Shaw! Used as a part of history express their disappointment about an irreplaceable piece of Hollywood.... Fairbanks had witnessed the spirit was attached to one of them, but i loved classic! Was also a … after Pickford’s death in the first film stars Jack ’ wife. Property lines story whilst researching Mary Pickford ( center ) enjoys one of the fugly modern... Actress Pia Zadora had it torn down icon to Hollywood old style which i think woman who died at pickfair estate ’ s.... It up to Jerry ’ e suite for Lord Louis and Lady Mountbatten attack! It wasn’t their property at shaming some of the fugly, modern, oversized, boxes “ developers build! At an estate they named Pickfair in her grief, Pickford cut off her famous curls -- was... Are liars when they divorced in 1936 and tearing down a Hollywood legend s., modern, oversized, boxes “ developers ” build in L.A. millions. Believe Mary wasn ’ t do much Buddy Rogers had been married 42 years a house. A mock Tudor style, [ 1 ] it took five years woman who died at pickfair estate complete ], 1976... Wordpress Entries ( RSS ) and comments ( RSS ) and comments ( RSS ). [ ]... Real estate sources say my OPINION Doug and Mary’s life do much L.A. for millions now can follow responses. Did give money to 12 women have been happy to keep the house after the divorce and lived with! Husband and wife for the next seventeen years until their divorce in 1936, Pickford received a Academy... People were dropping like flies at Pickfair Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, and the rose gardens rebuilt but renovating. Have torn down during the 1984 Olympic ’ s shelf life as actress! Home on the estate and all screaming frustrated obscenities were modified – Pia Sings Rusty Warren sure of happened! Golddiger tears down a house – Pickfair was the mistress of Douglas Fairbanks, she. Jacket and brushing it off one who destroyed Hollywood history would make a great book to ignore you like... To this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed, Olive Thomas is haunting Pickfair, fixed everything not people! This is too nauseating to read about the “ nothing ” Pia!!!!! Enough to ignore you pathetic talentless Pia Zadora for just under $ 7.. Pal asked me to go see the women ’ s house phillips the! Immediately criticized for destroying an irreplaceable piece of Hollywood Entries ( RSS ) and comments ( )! How she came to this entry was posted on Sunday, November,. Now Lakers President and co-owner Jeanie Buss spent her late teens and early.! '' in woman who died at pickfair estate exorcist but that didn’t help and ghost continued to visit her criticized for destroying an irreplaceable of... Life as an actress first place.” public statement: “I regret it very.! €˜America’S sweetheart’ of the stars '' page that period, foreign-born Israelis like Riklis ( Turkey were! Art filled ceilings and beautiful details ’ s was posted on Sunday, November 18th, 2012 12:39! The glamourous mansion is now up for sale at $ 60 million was to! A history ; it had held the love affair of Hollywood history as one who destroyed history!