I am looking for pictures of the Hillbillies Mansion which is or was located at 750 Bell Air Road. I visited the address myself but it was after it had been purchased in the late 80's or early 90's. The new owner acquired other properties around it and has made it impossible to view it from the street. If anyone knows where I can get or pictures or would be willing to email me some then that would be great. I have a few myself and would be willing to share them as well.

Ronnie Callahan, Jr.
Booneville, Kentucky

I was in LA two years ago and was Horrified that this Icon of Hollywood History was being torn down? I do know where photos of this Beautiful French Mansion can be found! Please if anyone knows the story behind this Mansion being knocked down, let me know?

I too am looking for some pictures of the Beverly Hillbillies mansion. I was able to find 2 a couple of years ago, but they weren't really clear. If you had any, please email them to me and I will email you the 2 that I have.

Thanks,

J Carter

Go to "windows live local" and check out the view. I don't know how old the photo is, but the mansion is pretty much the same, but the grounds are different. I think the photo is recent because there is a late model ford or chevy minivan in the parking area.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&wip=21

Go to "windows live local" and check out the view. I don't know how old the photo is, but the mansion is pretty much the same, but the grounds are different. I think the photo is recent because there is a late model ford or chevy minivan in the parking area.

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&wip=21

Also check out the Jerry Lewis movie "Cinderfella" for great views of the exterior, interior and grounds.

If you use the program google earth and type in
750 Bel Air Rd, Los Angeles, CA
in the search area you can zoom in until you are looking at an overhead view of the grounds of the mansion before it was torn down. First photo is one I found while doing a search, second is a view from google earth. Hope this helps.

105212

105213

Thanks for the photos and the links to the Windows Live Local site! The photo's are awesome... exactly what I was looking for!
The Windows Live Local link was really great too!

Thanks again Blackbeard and Ken072359!

J (Bulldog)

Yeah, Local Live is great, but too bad the "bird's eye view" isn't available for all areas. I had always wondered what the back of the mansion and the rest of the property looked like.

That's a darn shame they tore it down, if I owned the Mansion I'd open it up for tours and make some money off of its popularity.

yea, it is a shame! I was lucky enough to see it, though, before it dissapeared. It was when I was out in California on vacation, back in 1988.

At the time, though, it was being renovated and the bushes were torn up, and the driveway wasn't there, and some of the windows were boarded up, and there was a dumpster sitting out front. But, it was still reckognizable.

That is Awsome Picture of THe Beverly Hillbillies Mansion.

Yeah, Local Live is great, but too bad the "bird's eye view" isn't available for all areas. I had always wondered what the back of the mansion and the rest of the property looked like.
also, in one of the episodes (I forget the name; but it's an early one; it's the one where Hedda Hopper guest-starred) theres an aerial shot of the mansion and the grounds.

Also check out the Jerry Lewis movie "Cinderfella" for great views of the exterior, interior and grounds.

I ran across the movie "Disorderlies" (1987) by while channel surfing. It was also filmed at the mansion.

And so was Armed And Dangerous.

I visited the mansion June of 1986, here is a photo I took. You can see that the top window had plastic on it and some construction items to the far right so they were just beginning renovation at that time.

The mansion is actually still standing and has the same exterior. The owners made some extensive changes to the front grounds so that people passing by won't be able to view it. The driveway entrance was moved to the left of the mansion about 300 ft from the original entrance, then winds its way towards the front of the mansion, then splits to either take you to the 6 car garage, or the front of the mansion's oval driveway. I will see if I can post an updated arial view of the mansion for everyone.

Thanks again for that photo!

Bulldog

Oh yeah, if you do find it on Google Earth, if you look at the very back end of the property to the left you will see Ronald and Nancy Reagan's house. She still lives there.

I don't know how to use google earth, do you have to sign up for it? An udated arial shot would be great. Next time I visit I'm going to check the other address that was given, you are suppose to see the post to the front gate.

hmmmm... i was quite sure that they changed the facade as well. I could be wrong but the last time I was by there and they had all the major construction going on I could swear i remember them doing facade work. They even had a guard there shooing people away so i couldnt stay long enough to take pictures that time.

I finally got how to use google earth and it looks sort of the same and I wondered how updated it was.

It stands to reason since the Beverly Hillbillies is my all time favorite sitcom then I'd want a house like theirs (not the cabin). I am building a house in about a year and I realized the style of their mansion (French Neoclassical) is what I really like. Since I don't want a house that large nor can afford it I am meeting with an architect to draw up plans for a 3200 square foot house on one level. I actually found a house in Toronto that is an exact replica of the Beverly Hillbillies mansion and cut the roof off, removed the second floor and pasted the roof on the first floor and it looks great!

If anyone out there has any more photos of the mansion for me to take to my architect I would really appreciate it if you could post them or email it to me. I have gone as far as to order four movies that I know were filmed on location at this house so I can possible take the DVD to the architect and freeze fame it for better viewing. You Beverly Hillbillies buffs will know that the only episodes showing the house were in black and white since the owners banned filming there due to the word getting out where the location was and people began showing up at the door asking for granny. All of the color episodes were filmed on a set and never showed the entire house. The movies I ordered from Amazon were filmed at the mansion and are all in color so I believe it will give my architect and I more detail. Anything else anybody has will also be of great help. Thanks

Here is a photo of a home in Toronto that is very similar to the mansion in the beverly hillbillies.

I thought on black and white eposides had been shot showing the outside of the house. I'm watching a color eposide as I write this and there are seens shot out front in the drive.

The movies I ordered from Amazon were filmed at the mansion and are all in color so I believe it will give my architect and I more detail. Anything else anybody has will also be of great help. Thanks
Which movies are those? I'd be intersted in renting them to see the mansion.

@richieonline-That's a dead on exact look alike alright. Wow.

LARRYB
Why don't you put 1600 sq ft on 2 floors for a total of 3200sq ft. It cost less
to build up than out.

I finally got how to use google earth and it looks sort of the same and I wondered how updated it was.
The website http://www.zillow.com also has ariel views of houses.

Here is a link to the Zillow.com site and it has pictures of the mansion too. It can be purchased for $19 million dollars right now...

http://www.zillow.com/Gallery.htm?zpid=20526854

750 Bel Air Rd Los Angeles CA 90077 10 beds, 12.0 baths, 21,523 sq ft
Zestimate®: $19,439,000

Here is a photo of a home in Toronto that is very similar to the mansion in the beverly hillbillies.
There is also one in Palm Beach, FL that I saw while driving around. It wass a smaller version of the Kirkby Mansion. I wanted to stop and take a picture of it, but there was a lot of traffic out. I'm going back there in Feb 2009, so I will make sure that I have my camera ready.

Watch that episode May 22nd on "Superstation WGN" Featuring Hedda Hopper which begins with great views of the Bel-Air Estate from a helicopter

The Disorderlies is a good movie showing the Estate

When I was very young I wrote a letter to Mercedes-Benz asking for information on their 600 swb car that was imported in the US 1964 to 1973. They sent me press release pictures that were black and white 8x10's taken in front of the Beverly Hillbillies mansion. Both the car and the house showed up great.

do you still have them? Back in the 70's Lincoln also used the Mansion

I found at least one image of the Kirkeby Mansion used in an old Lincoln ad (attached). The vehicle is a 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III. The mansion is barely visible in the background.

Also, Youtube has a video of prominent Beverly Hills estates that includes a flyover of the Kirkeby Mansion. You can access the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNVKPMo3JQs

Finally, the mansion's current owner, billionaire Jerry Perenchio, is co-finance director for John McCain's presidential campaign. Perenchio recently hosted McCain at a fundraiser at the estate in late March.

I've unearthed at least three images of the Mercedes-Benz 600 swb photos from the 1960s (attached). The first depicts the automobile in front of the Kirkeby Mansion, the second shows a model in front of the "Drysdale Mansion" (333 Copa de Oro Road) and the last shows a model on Copa de Oro Road (or perhaps Bellagio Road) in front of the gates to the "Drysdale Mansion." Thanks for the leads, dnc and gmsoares.

One small correction: the vehicle depicted in the Lincoln ad is NOT a Mark III, but the Continental Coupe. I'm a vintage car collector, so I wanted to make sure that was updated. Attached is a picture of my classic car, a 1965 Imperial Crown. I've owned her for 18 years and she is affectionately named "Miss Jane" after Jane Hathaway. I figured that since Mr. Drysdale always got to ride in an Imperial, and Miss Hathaway only a Dodge Dart, it was fitting to name my car after her.

I thought I was the only person who had worshiped that Famous Estate! Glad to meet you, I have a few books that tell the history and show photos as well, I too have the original Lincoln brochure I grabbed when my parents were buying a 1968 Mercury, They were already advertising and selling the 1969 models

I have started a search for them after my posting. When I locate them I will be sure to let everyone know. I did not know Lincoln used the house too. I will search my Lincoln material too.

Watch WGN Superstation May 22nd,The Beverly Hillbillies. The episode with Heda Hopper features a good view of the whole Estate from a helicopter

Those are some awesome pictures of the estates...and the cars! I'm also a big fan of both mansions. If you don't mind I'm going to post the picture of the Drysdale mansion on that thread.

Thanks for sharing these photos of the 600swb and 600 Pullman. These cars are beautiful. The shots I have are of the same cars arranged differently and in black and white. I will post them as soon as I find them.

This is ironic, I too have a 1965 Imperial; it's black with white interior and is a LeBaron. Your car is very handsome. I understand on the set they would often put baby powder on the cars to reduce glare. The article I read explaining this showed the Drysdale's Imperial in a photo.
I seem to remember seeing an Imperial limousine on one of the episodes.

Those are awesome pics, I've also liked the Kirkby and Drysdale mansion. I've been along Bel air road and couldn't see a thing. Next time I go to Hollywood I'll try and find the Drysdale mansion thanks for the address.

Here is another cool site that I found that has a picture of the mansion from an arial view. The cool thing about this site is that it list nearby mansions and the owners of them. In the back yard of the mansion is Nancy Reagan's house and to the side of the mansion is Cheryl Tieg's house. I saw the Youtube clip, and that was AWESOME! And so are the ads you posted. Thanks wilmadog99!

Here is the link:
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/13137/

I just found another interesting fact about the mansion and its current owners. Here is the link to it:

http://wikimapia.org/788920/

I just rented the 1986 film "Disorderlies," which was filmed at the Kirkeby Mansion. Attached are some screen captures from the movie. The film itself isn't worth recommending, but the views of the Kirkeby Mansion - inside and out - make it a worthwhile view for mansion lovers. It was apparent that the interior of the actual mansion was used during filming, and one of my major mysteries about the house - how did one access the balcony and large French doors over the main entrance - was finally answered (the grand staircase in the entrance foyer leads up to a landing at the balcony). A handful of scenes were filmed at a pool, but at the end of the film the poolhouse is literally blown up so I don't know if those scenes were at the Kirkeby Mansion or not (seems unlikely). Anyway, hope you enjoy the images.

Great photos, thanks!

Those are cool pics. I never tire of seeing the mansion.

Out of curiosity, I rented the 1956 movie "High Society" this week to see how the Kirkeby Mansion was used as a location in the film. My memory told me that the mansion was used in the opening scene along with the facade of Biltmore, the Vanderbilt mansion in Asheville, NC. I was almost right - the Kirkeby Mansion was definitely used in the scene, but an art director took some artistic license and converted the mansion into a faux Biltmore. See the screen capture below. Interesting take on the architecture, but I think I like the original much better! This was an early location shoot for the house, so maybe the Kirkebys wanted some camouflage to hide the mansion's use.

wonder why I never noticed it in that movie before! I've seen that movie a few times, but I haven't seen it in YEARS. But still, when I did see it, I used to watch reruns of the show a lot.

Very interesting, looks like they basically just added a new roof. I was planning on going to Los Angeles this summer and have made travel arrangements for June 26 to July 1, I think I will go to some of the bewitched fanfare events and will definitely go by the Kirkeby mansion and the drysdale mansion. They have a helicopter tour of Bel air I might do that since that is probably the only way you could see the Kirkeby mansion at this point.

read some of these other posts. The Kirkeby mansion was, unfortunetaly, torn down YEARS ago.:( :(

I'm not sure what you are talking about. The Kirkeby mansion was not torn down. Now they did do some major renovations but definitely not torn down.

I'm not sure what you are talking about. The Kirkeby mansion was not torn down. Now they did do some major renovations but definitely not torn down.
I was led to believe that it was torn down too, found out differently last October when I seen a pic of the mansion on a Hollywood map of stars homes. I was amazed to see it standing.

Oh yes, still standing....modified yes, but I believe only some cosmetic changes until the next owner comes along and restores it to it's full Hillbilly granduer.....any takers?? haha

it wasn't torn down? Then I wonder why everything I've read says it was?

If you use the program google earth and type in
750 Bel Air Rd, Los Angeles, CA
in the search area you can zoom in until you are looking at an overhead view of the grounds of the mansion before it was torn down. First photo is one I found while doing a search, second is a view from google earth. Hope this helps.

105212

105213
Thanks for the link and great pictures. Big fan of the show and have done some checking on the questions here about the mansion. Billionaire Jerrold Perrencio bout it in 87 from Kirkeby. Made his money in tv owning production company with Norman Lear.

Comparing old and new photos you can see original entrance(front of house)
is Bel Air Rd. Jerrold obvoiusly wanted changes, notice in early 60s aireal photo large gatehouse on right, servants quarters and tennins court are all
gone or moved in new photos. Formal garden on right much larger in new photos in their place. he wanted more privacy, Nimes entrance much further from house, maybe wanted new facade(back) so guess would not call it
BH mansion. It is clear he closed up driveways to gate on Bel Air and fenced off. There is no way the back facade was intended to be entrance, much smaller in scale. Looks like he has added large portico at new entrance for cars to pull under for valet for big bashes. With that much money it is probably a security thing also. No accounting for taste, many mansion landmarks and history are gone to hiddeous out of proportion new construction(Aaron Spelling)

I was puzzled by the reference to High Society, I need to see it again.
I do know it was filmed in Newport RI, the location of the story.
Bing Crosby's house it Clarendon Court on Bellvue Ave, later the home of
Sunny Von Bullow, whose husband Claus was tried for her coma. That is the roof of Biltomore on the Kirkeby mansion, need to look for it in the film.

Can't remember the name of the film but Kirkeby was used in late 30s early 40s very extensively. This must have been during the ten year period it was empty after Atkinson built it and Kirkeby bout it in 45.