About

“W. C. Fields House”

Potential City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

History:

Built for oilman Frank Wood, President of the Shell Oil Company in California, this home has been the residence of a long parade of celebrities over the years. Maurice Chevalier lived here in the early 1920s. W. C. Fields took residence in the 1930s, followed by band leader Ted Fio Rita, and Ann Richards lived here in the early 1990s. (Source: Donald Seligman)

“Late comedian’s home up for sale. A Los Feliz estate once owned by W. C. Fields has been offered for sale by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Angelo for $225,000.” Mrs. Angelo is Ann Richards, film actress, author and poet. Mr. Angelo was a film producer and Director during the 1940s when Fields resided in the house. The 5000 sq .ft. Italian villa on 3/4 acre is listed through Los Feliz Properties, Inc.. (Source: Los Angeles Times, 07/09/72, Pt K, p.9.)

Frank Wood, a resident in 1930, was President of Shell Oil Company in California.

Listed at $5,599,000 in September, 2003. Listed at $4,999,999 in November, 2003. (Source: real estate brochure)

1930 census:
2015 De Mille Drive: (Value: $100,000): 1) Frank L. Wood, owner and head of household; 56 year old white married male; married at age 20; born in New York; parents born in Canada; an executive in the oil industry. 2) Mary L. Wood, wife; 25 year old white married female; married at age 21; born in California; father born in Hawaii, mother in Nova Scotia; not working. 3) Francis L. Wood, daughter; 2 year 6 month old white female; born in California. 4) Sarah D. Ryskogel, grandmother; 83 year old white female widow; married at age 21; born in Nova Scotia; parents born in Nova Scotia; to U.S. in 1920, a naturalized citizen; not working. 5) Nels J. Greva, servant; 39 year old single white male; born in Sweden; parents born in Sweden; speaks German; to U.S. in 1910, a naturalized citizen; a servant in a private family.

1940 Census:
2015 De Mille Drive (rents for $250): 1) William C. Fields, head of household; white single male 60 years of age; born in Pennsylvania; actor in the motion picture industry; earns more than $5,000.