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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