Charles Bronson’s former Bel-Air home on market at $19.75 million

A Bel-Air residence formerly owned by actor Charles Bronson and his second wife, actress Jill Ireland, has been listed for sale at $19.75 million.

Set overlooking the Bel-Air Country Club, the Spanish-style home, designed by architect Roland E. Coate and built in 1929, opens to a vaulted foyer with a sweeping, wrought-iron staircase. The floor plan, designed for entertaining, includes a game room, a music room, wine room, seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

Beneath Roman coffered ceilings, a formal dining room can accommodate as many as 40 guests. A living room lined in columns features a wet bar and a fireplace.

Outdoors, the park-like grounds contain tiered gardens, mature trees and an enclosed patio with a saltwater pool and spa. An outdoor pavilion enjoys views of the golf course.

During an inspection of the home, Ireland became separated from her 4-year-old son, Valentine, according to a 1968 story in The Times. Fearing that the boy had become locked in a ceiling-high safe, police and the fire department were called to the scene. Upon opening, however, the vault was found empty; Valentine had gone to visit his new elementary school, Bellagio Road School, just down the street.

Bronson and Ireland, who met on the set of “The Great Escape” in 1962 (her then-husband, David McCallum, was in the film with Bronson), purchased the Bel-Air estate in November 1968, The Times reported. Mike Silverman & Associates, Beverly Hills realtors, handled the listing.

The home last sold in June 1995 for $3.573 million, property records show. The home is currently co-listed by Linda May and Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker.

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