Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Michael Jackson's (In)Famous Dermatologist Arnie Klein Lists L.A. Mansion

SELLER: Arnie Klein
LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
PRICE: $4,250,000
SIZE: 11,341 square feet, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Poor, poor Dr. Arnie Klein. Once upon a time he was the Beverly Hills-based dermatologist, the so-called "Father of Botox"whose image obsessed clientele included nipped, tucked and injected Showbiz luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor, Carrie Fisher, and Michael Jackson. Alas, in the chaotic and highly publicized wake of Michael Jackson's sordid 2009 death, Dr. Klein's lavish lifestyle quickly evaporated in a haze of salacious accusations, a flurry of scandalous lawsuits, and a debilitating bankruptcy.

In late 2011 Dr. Klein—who reportedly supplied Michael Jackson with all sorts of prescription drugs and occasionally hints that he might be the father of at least one of The Gloved One's three children—listed his ocean front residence in Laguna Beach for $12,000,000. The cliff hanging house was finally sold in February (2013) for $7.1 million and yesterday his stately Tudor style mansion in L.A.'s affluent Hancock Park/Windsor Square area popped up on the open market as a bankruptcy sale with a listing price of $4,250,000.

Property records are not entirely clear but it appears to Your Mama's boozy-woozy eyeballs that Mister Klein picked up his Hancock Park spread in March 1985 for just $255,000 and over the years secured several mortgages and personal loans against the value of the historic mini-estate.

Current listing information shows the three story, 11,341 square foot Tudor style pile was built in 1914 on a very busy .66 acre corner lot and has eight bedrooms, five bathrooms and at least three fireplaces. Additional living space for guests or staff sits atop the detached five car garage that sits at the tail end of a long gated drive.

Listing photographs show the house has seen better days and, indeed, listing details describe the house as a "rare yet tarnished treasure with remarkable potential" and "a treasure waiting to be set free." Inside, as per online marketing materials, there's a grand, paneled foyer with an all wood double staircase, elegant formal living and dining rooms, a library, a garden room, and—somewhat curiously—a dance studio. Outside the slightly unkempt grounds include a swirling array of knee height box woods, a slightly unkempt rose garden, fountains, and swimming pool and spa that looks to have been long ago drained.

As evidenced by the thick layer of dust and debris that coats the main staircase, the financially beleaguered Mister Klein moved from his Hancock Park mansion some time ago. In early 2011 he agreed to pay $60,000 per month to lease a seven bedroom and 10 bathroom mansion in the Beverly Park community in Beverly Hills but was subsequently evicted.

Your Mama has no current intel about where the doctor holes up nowadays but perhaps the disgraced dermatologist decamped to Palm Springs where property records show he still owns a mid-century modern house in the upscale Vista Las Palmas area that he acquired in mid-2008 for $1,462,500. As far as Your Mama's brief and unscientific research, Dr. Klein's Palm Springs property is not currently on the open market and there does not appear to be any foreclosure activity on the property.

*Just for shits and giggles, Dr. Klein's former rental, an 11,000 square foot Frenchified villa, is back up for lease at $45,000 per month.

listing photos: Coldwell Banker

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I certainly hope this place falls into the right hands and is restored. A nice gay couple or someone who has the sense to hire a great gay decorator.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the kitchen is all fire damage-y still

Anonymous said...

guess no one else beside MJ wanted a botched nose job!

Anonymous said...

That's a very beautiful home. I hope someone with care and love is able to restore it.

Peter said...

Dermatologist can't do a rhinoplasty, genius. Although, he is known for doing things he shouldn't.. Needs work but prefer over a cheaply made "mock med" anyday..

Anonymous said...

Shalom Mama and Kinderlach:

The Rabbi is adoring this early 20th century neo-Tudor home, along with its beautifully lush, mature gardens. She is positively worshipping the carefully laid brick, ersatz half-timbering, leaded window panes, and paneled entry with its magnificent double staircase. This mini-estate reminds the Rabbi of Trenton's grand homes from its golden age and does she spy...a carport? Unfortunately, the Rabbi is distressed by the egregious choice of roofing material; i.e., terra cotta tile, far more appropriate for Mediterranean homes. In Trenton this English house would be majestically crowned with a multi-colored slate roof. In a moment of nostalgia, the Rabbi is remembering her adolescence and very own Trenton dermatologist, who personified the American success story, as the doctor's father, may he rest in peace, was the humble immigrant kosher butcher for the Rabbi's family. Finally, is the hippopotamus idol by the pool Hancock Park's religiously misguided response to the golden calf?

Most perplexedly yours,
Rabbi Hedda LaCasa

Anonymous said...

Purchased for $255k? How is that possible?

Anonymous said...

You are right, he is hanging out in Palm Springs on Via Monte Vista. BK courts have inventoried the house in Palm Springs. He can't list Palm Springs house or contents for sale, title now in Trustees name.

Anonymous said...

I generally despise (mock) Tudor houses, but this one has a certain endearing charm that appeals to me. It really doesn't look like it needs too much done, and the slightly overgrown look of the garden suits it.

@Rabbi Hedda: while I agree that tile is not the expected medium for the roof on an English house, tile roofs aren't uncommon in the UK, even on Tudor-era structures.

It's hard to tell from the pictures, but as this is LA we're talking about, one possibility is that the house originally had a thatched roof which didn't stand up well in the climate, and which was replaced by a Spanish-style tile roof. I've seen more than one example of this happening.

Anonymous said...

Looks like straight out of a horror movie. Bland,dark, unpleasant looking. Just wrong in so many ways.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. Just right in so many ways.

lil' gay boy said...

Anon 2:21,

Hear, hear! Simply exquisite.

Anonymous said...

Confidential to Anonymous 11:08 p.m.:

You have enlightened the Rabbi: She assumed thatch was virtually used for roofing during Medieval and Tudor times in England, and would not have expected a prevalence of tile as well. Leaping ahead to Edwardian Trenton and contiguous lands, thatching was equated with working-class urban houses and suburban farm buildings. The Rabbi was delighted to learn that thatch was occasionally used for the grand homes of Los Angeles; in Trenton, a home of Dr. Klein's caliber would have been capped with slate, even if unauthentic.

R. Hedda

Anonymous said...

Eww Hancock park is yucky.

Anonymous said...

The house is located on a very noisy corner (6th St.) Buyers will need earplugs to sleep and very good Security.

Anonymous said...

1:45 I'm with you. And mock Tudor has no place anywhere in S. California.

Sandpiper said...



Bro Bentley,

You are singing to the choir. Mine anyway!

Anonymous said...

Is the hippo near the swimming pool included with the purchase??

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