Basketball superstar legend LeBron James has picked up a piece of Hollywood history.
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Lebron James, 35, has purchased the Beverly Hills mansion once lived in by actress Katharine Hepburn. The $36.8 million home sits on 2.5 acres and has one of the longest driveways in Los Angeles. Fitting for its Hollywood roots, the home also has a theatrical screening room.
The mansion, built in the 1930s, was first owned by actor Charles Boyer, and later taken over by Howard Hughes. Although he never actually lived in the home, Hughes leased it to stars including Hepburn, his ex-girlfriend, during the prime of her career, Variety reports.
James, fresh off his successful get-out-the-vote campaign and the NBA finals, bought the home from the estate of late longtime owners Lee Phillip Bell and her husband, William J. Bell — of soap opera fame. It was listed for $39 million and James got a 6% discount on the lair.
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The home also includes a full theatrical screening room, fitting since James has a deal with Warner Bros. for several projects, that even comes equipped with one of seven fireplaces in the home.
Other amenities include ‘multiple al fresco dining and entertaining areas, and a lighted tennis court with viewing pavilion,’ according to Variety.
There is also an oval swimming pool and an adjoined pool house while is watched over by, ‘a giant gold Buddha.’
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After Hepburn moved out, the home was owned by non-celebrities for many years, until 1986 when it was purchased for $2.9 million in 1986 by The Young And The Restless creators William Brent Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.
The couple spent many years restoring the home to its Golden Age glory, spending a fortune landscaping the property with trees and gardens.
William Brent Bell passed away in 1995 with Lee Phillip Bell living in the home until she passed away in March.