Design and Art news, reviews, comments and original features

The Star Of The Oscars No One Is Talking About: Houston

There are a number of stars from Houston that have made important contributions to the film industry — the real estate stars.

An Oscar-winning Best Picture was filmed in Houston as well a 1970s blockbuster and as a result, their prices are rising, according to ABC affiliate KTRK.

A Palacial mansion in the River Oaks neighborhood of Houston "would be at home in Beverly Hills," according to Deborah Wrigley at KTRK.

It has nearly 12,000 square feet of living space, a marble entryway and halls, wood floors and stone fireplaces. The home quite luxurious but the break-out role that propelled it to stardom was the setting for "The Thief Who Came to Dinner."

The 1973 comedy about a computer programmer turned jewel thief who preyed on Houston's wealthy was a hit. A young Ryan O'Neal and Jacqueline Bisset starred in the film and the home mentioned above, as well as others, were important components to its success.

The current owners added two more pools to the backyard, one that is believed to be one of the largest in the country.

Its current asking price, fame included, is listed at $14.8 million.

NBA all-star Bob Lanier and his River Oaks Blvd home at the time were also included in the film.

Another Houston residence with a Hollywood connection is the Waldo Mansion in Montrose.

The home was built in 1885 by a Confederate war veteran who became a railroad tycoon. It has since been moved from its original location and every brick and piece was numbered to ensure it was kept in tact as well as possible. Much of the Victorian architecture was removed and it now resembles a vila.

It was already famous it its own right but some undoubtedly recognize it at Garret Breedlove's home in "Terms of Endearment."

Jack Nicholson, who played Breedlove, won an Oscar for Best Actor In A Supporting Role and the film won Best Picture in 1984.

The home now as a Texas Historical marker and if you pay the $3.5 million asking price for it, the owners will restore the pool Nicholson swims in in the film. They turned it into a koi pond.

Agent Richard Ray is handing the Westmoreland mansion. Agent Claire Wilkins has the Inverness Mansion. Both are top producers for John Daugherty, Realtors. Ther are photos of the homes on their company's website.

"Hollywood has nothing on us," Wilkins said.

You can watch KTRK's coverage of the two homes below.