The house at 4701 Sancola Avenue has had a prestigious pedigree since it was first built for comedian and actor Leon Errol in 1940. It was designed by trailblazing architect Paul Revere Williams, who helped shape the Los Angeles landscape with more than 2,500 buildings, including homes for stars like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball as well as public buildings such as the L.A. County Courthouse and Hall of Administration.
From 1947 to 1959, the house belonged to Oscar-winning actor William Holden, who was frequently captured in publicity photos and home movies relaxing there with his wife, Ardis (an actress known professionally as Brenda Marshall), and their three children. It was the site of a modest but momentous event on March 4, 1952, when the Holdens served as best man and matron of honor (and sole guests) at the wedding of their good friend, actor and future president Ronald Reagan, to Nancy Davis. After the ceremony at Studio City’s Little Brown Church in the Valley, the foursome celebrated at the Holden home with a small reception dinner and cake before the Reagans left on their honeymoon. The house was also home to Denzel Washington from 1988 to 2000, continuing its Hollywood legacy to the next generation.
Now, this local architectural gem is passing to its next owner. Represented by Craig Strong and in escrow as of press time, the four-bedroom, five-bath, 6,334-square-foot residence still retains a number of original vintage details such as built-ins and oak hardwood floors, plus plenty of modern updates, including a gourmet-level kitchen. It’s situated on a double lot of more than half an acre that includes gardens, patios, a pool and spa, a koi pond and two guesthouses. Plus, in a quirky nod to its long history of entertainment connections, the finished basement is adorned with dinosaur-themed murals painted by a professional set designer.
