Diane Keaton once owned a striking Los Angeles hillside home; Decades earlier, a silent-film star acquired it after finding out embezzlement of funds by his manager

Diane Keaton once owned a Los Angeles house that had a history connected to Hollywood, architecture and a financial dispute. The Samuel-Novarro House is located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. Architect Lloyd Wright completed the house in 1928 for Louis Samuel, who worked as the business manager and personal assistant of silent-film actor Ramón Novarro. Years later, Novarro discovered that Samuel had been taking money from him. So, Samuel transferred the property to Novarro as part of a settlement. Decades later, Keaton bought the house and worked on its restoration.

How the Samuel-Novarro House was built?

The Samuel-Novarro House was completed in 1928 in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. The property was designed by Lloyd Wright, the son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house combines Mayan Revival and Art Deco elements. It was built into a hillside.


The original owner was Louis Samuel. He worked as the business manager and personal assistant of Ramón Novarro, a silent-film star who had become known for his film roles. Novarro was one of the actors associated with the silent-film era. He starred in the 1925 film Ben-Hur, which helped establish his place in Hollywood. Samuel was involved in both Novarro's business affairs and personal matters.

What happened between Ramón Novarro and Louis Samuel?

The financial dispute emerged after the stock market crash of 1929. In 1930, Novarro discovered that Samuel had been embezzling money from him. Samuel had lost a large part of Novarro's wealth in the stock market crash. The money taken from Novarro was also used in connection with the house. Samuel had been using Novarro's direct earnings to pay the mortgage on the property. Novarro didn't want to go public with the financial dispute to ensure that details of his private life don't let out in the open.

The 1931 settlement

Novarro and Samuel finally reached a discreet settlement in 1931. As part of the settlement, Samuel legally surrendered the property to Novarro. The house then became Novarro's home. Novarro moved into the property after obtaining ownership. He later decided to make changes to the house. He hired Lloyd Wright again to expand the property. Novarro also brought in Cedric Gibbons, the MGM art director, to work on the interiors. Gibbons became associated with the Art Deco interiors of the house.

Diane Keaton's connection to the house

Decades after Novarro's ownership, the property became connected to Diane Keaton. The Academy Award-winning actress bought the house for $1.5 million in 1988. Keaton was also known for her interest in historic Los Angeles architecture. Her work with older properties became part of her public profile beyond acting. The Samuel-Novarro House became one of the properties she worked on as part of that interest.

Diane Keaton restored the historic property

After buying the house, Keaton began a restoration project. She worked with architect Josh Schweitzer on the property where the Lloyd Wright's original design features like concrete surfaces and oxidized copper accents were kept intact. The restoration was carried out over several years. Keaton eventually sold the property in the mid-1990s.

Why the house is connected to several Hollywood figures?

The history of the Samuel-Novarro House brings together people from different parts of Hollywood and architecture.

• Lloyd Wright designed and completed the original house in 1928.
• Louis Samuel commissioned the property and later lost it to Novarro through the 1931 settlement.
• Cedric Gibbons designed the Art Deco interiors after Novarro moved into the property.
• Diane Keaton bought the house in 1988 and later worked on its restoration.
• Josh Schweitzer worked with Keaton during the restoration and modernization.

The property therefore has a history that extends from the silent-film era to later efforts to preserve Los Angeles architecture. Its Mayan Revival and Art Deco design reflects the architectural work of Lloyd Wright. Its hillside location also forms part of its design.