By Erika Riggs, Zillow
The movers and shakers of the movie-making industry have checked off most of the red-carpet events this awards' season: Critics' Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes. Next up? The granddaddy of 'em all: The Academy Awards. While the media is abuzz with predictions of who'll win and what they'll wear, we are more interested in the homes where this year's potential winners might stash their golden statues.
Steven Spielberg, picture, "War Horse"
As far as famous producers and directors go, Steven Spielberg tops the list. The Best Picture nomination for "War Horse," which he co-produced, is just another notch in the belt of the prolific director. He has won three Academy Awards and has been nominated for Best Picture and Best Director over 10 times.
When Spielberg isn't directing or producing his blockbusters, he splits time between his homes in Pacific Palisades, the Hamptons and Malibu. Unlike other celebrities, the director isn't one to buy and sell properties on a whim; most of his homes he's owned for over 20 years.
His Malibu home (above), in particular, is a spectacular ocean-side property he bought in 1989 for $3,375,033. The 7,000-plus-square-foot-home sits on nearly an acre of beachfront property and has seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and the must-have celebrity amenities like an in-ground pool.
George Clooney, leading actor, "The Descendants"
Although he's one of the most recognizable faces on the big screen, Clooney spent the early part of his career in bit roles on TV shows until he hit international stardom with his role of Dr. Ross on "ER" in 1994. He made the switch to movies in the late 1990s and added directing, producing and screenwriting to his repertoire. This Oscar season, he's not only nominated for Best Actor, but also Best Writing, Adapted Screen Play for "Ides of March."
Clooney purchased his this home (above) at the beginning of his success on "ER," in 1995. The sprawling Studio City home sits on over 3 acres below a nature preserve. The eight-bedroom, mock-Tudor house has a pool and tennis courts. Clooney also owns a home in Laglio, Italy on Lake Como -- and it's often there he meets up with fellow actor and good friend Brad Pitt.
Jonah Hill, supporting actor, "Moneyball"
Although Jonah Hill became famous for his roles in comedy films, this Oscar nomination is for his first dramatic performance in "Moneyball." The actor has had his hand in many projects that called on his many talents, ranging from directing, writing, and producing.
Hill's home is located in the Los Angeles suburb of Tarzana and was listed as a "natural entertainer's estate" featuring party-friendly amenities like a pool and spa, endless patios, and tennis and bocce ball court. This isn't Hill's first foray into real estate. He sold a Hollywood condo in 2008 for $835,000 and still owns a home on Mulholland Drive.
Glenn Close, leading actress, "Albert Nobbs"
Glenn Close began her acting career on Broadway and didn't break into the film industry until she was 35 with her role in "The World According to Garp" alongside Robin Williams. The Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe-award winning actress has yet to win an Oscar, but her nomination for "Albert Nobbs" is her sixth nomination.
Born and raised in Greenwich, Conn., Close spends her time on the East Coast in both Manhattan, and Bedford Hills, NY.
Her Bedford Hills estate (above) sits on 10 acres. Just north of Manhattan, the hills of Westchester County, and in particular, Bedford real estate, is appealing to many celebrities. Close can count Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren and celeb couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones among her neighbors.
Viola Davis, leading actress, "The Help"
Like Close, Viola Davis rose to prominence with roles on the stage and has two Tony awards to her name. Since her move to the big screen, she's been nominated for numerous awards, including best supporting actress for her role in "Doubt."
Davis purchased a suburban home in Granada Hills, Calif., pictured above, in 2005, with her husband Julius Tennon. The five-bedroom, five-bath home sits on a quarter-acre with 3,917 square feet of living space.
Michelle Williams, leading actress, "My Week with Marilyn"
Michelle Williams first swept audiences and critics off their feet with her performance in the 2005 film, "Brokeback Mountain," for which she earned her first Academy Award nomination. Her role opposite Ryan Gosling in the romantic drama "Blue Valentine" caught critics' eye, too, nabbing her both a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She earned both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for her role as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week with Marilyn," for which she already picked up the Golden Globe.
Williams spends her time off the big screen with her daughter, Matilda Rose, in their cozy, four-floor house in Brooklyn, NY (above). Williams' slice of Brooklyn real estate was purchased with late actor and ex-fiance, Heath Ledger, in 2005 for a reported $3.6 million. Ledger, Matilda's father, passed away from a reported drug overdose in January 2008.
Melissa McCarthy, supporting actress, "Bridesmaids"
After performing for 10 years as a stand-up comedienne, Melissa McCarthy made her big break into acting in a supporting role on TV's popular show" Gilmore Girls." She then took first billing in the TV show "Mike & Molly," for which she received an Emmy award. Her role in the comedy "Bridesmaids" is her first Oscar nomination.
McCarthy and husband fellow actor and writer Ben Falcone purchased a modest (by celebrity real estate standards) Toluca Lake home, above, for $780,000 in 2009. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is only minutes from network studios, making it an easy commute for both McCarthy and Falcone.










Interesting insight into the lives of the 1%, who made their wealth off the backs of gaffers, production assistants, make-up artists, caterers, etc.
Sour grapes or just jealousy?
Take a snapshot of yourself, send it to a talent agency, go to open casting calls, and maybe you too can act your way to stardom and riches. As for the crew of movie shoots, they choose their profession, and get paid for it. Their unions get them paid more than their duties call for. Must be tough pulling $75k to hold a microphone in the air.
Each one of them have busted their ass to get to where they are with no guarantee that they will ever reach here. Behind every one success story there are thousands that have reached nowhere. So be happy for the successful ones.
Yes indeed; it is called hard work and sometimes a little thing called "luck." Luck is something that we make for ourselves, it doesn't just happen.
There is nothing wrong with making money. It is how one chooses to do it that matters. I feel that there is an important consideration to be made in that too. When all is said and done, when we have had this one crack at this thing we call "life" we must or should ask ourselves will we be leaving this world a better place from when we entered?
A little "dude" once said to me, he calls himself the Dalai Lama, that in order to build a perfect world we must show a little mercy and compassion. The last time I ran into him was some years back in Washington, D.C. He was climbing out of a spanking new, pure white Rolls Royce. I had to tell him that I preferred the Bentley.
The castles that will burn...... Thanks for the intel!
I like Jonah Hills home.
I like George Clooney's home/estate - really beautiful with all the trees that surround it.
If I'm supposed to be impressed
I'm not...
Right? Is it a house or a home? That is the real question.....
Jonah's house is more down to earth. Nothing over the top from what I can see.
I was impressed with the modest homes that were there. Yeah.. they aren't the big stars like George Clooney, but still... 3 bedrooms, 2 baths? Sounds reasonable!
My home is nicer. Even without the Academy statues.