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
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
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
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
William ‘Will’ Rogers
Vintage postcard featuring the mansion owned by famed vaudeville performer Will Rogers.
Published: 1921
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Alice Faye
The gorgeous home owned by Alice Faye, one of Twentieth Century Fox’s biggest stars during the 1920s and ’30s.
Published: 1938
Location: Los Angeles, California
Barbara Stanwyck
Vintage postcard featuring the home of actor Barbara Stanwyck.
Published: 1977
Location: Los Angeles, California
Groucho Marx
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We’re closing out our list of vintage postcards with the one and only Groucho Marx, who owned this modern-style home.
Published: 1958
Location: Beverly Hills, California