Author: Natalie

February is a short month, so in honor of the 28 days that count as a month, let’s take a look at some celebrities that haven’t let their short stature keep them from reaching great heights!

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s leading actors, and has even been People magazine’s sexiest man! He’s lived all over the world, and had properties from London to Aspen, but as he’s become more committed to his religion, Scientology, he has chosen to live closer to an important Scientology center.

The Clearwater, Florida, residence is a penthouse in a gorgeous, luxury building. It’s reported that Tom’s unit has a nine-car garage, vaulted ceilings, an infinity pool, and more. Before he moved in mid-2021, he had it customized to meet his specifications for privacy, including 100 security camera, film covering every window, and more.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars might be pint-sized, but he can belt out big tunes, and he’s one of the biggest successes in all of music. The 5’5″ musician, producer, and dancer has even performed on some of the world’s biggest entertainment venues, including the Super Bowl!

Bruno lives with his longtime girlfriend Jessica Caban in a Los Angeles mansion that he bought in 2014 for $6.5 million. George Clooney lives in the neighborhood. The house has a wine cellar, an entire wing for kids, and massive family room. The two-acre estate has an infinity pool, sauna, steam baths, pool house, and a landscaped playground.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe played a larger than life character who grew up on the big screen. And even though the Harry Potter star topped out at 5’5″, his career has been larger than life. With a net worth of more than $110 million, he could probably care less about how tall he he.

Daniel, who was born in Great Britain, spends much of his time in New York City. He loves starring in roles on Broadway, so it’s a perfect place for the international actor. He bought an upscale townhouse for $6.4 million. The red brick home has more than 3,000 square feet, five bedrooms, a garden, and more. He bought the house when he was 20 years old, but has kept the home as one of his primary residences ever since.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande’s name may mean big, but it sure doesn’t refer to her size. Barely topping out at 5’1″, her short stature hasn’t held her back, as she’s one of the most successful music artists right now.  She’s not even 30, and she’s worth more than $200 million!

Since rising to fame, she’s rented and owned a dozen high-end properties. In 2021, she sold a mega-mansion for $14 million and bought a smaller home in the same neighborhood for a meager $9 million. Rumors were that she was going to tear down the house, but she and her husband have instead renovated it and made it home. The smaller home offers more privacy and opportunity for the couple to relax away from the media and prying eyes.

Lil Kim

Lil Kim has one of the biggest celebrity personalities, and that’s what made the petite rapper a star. Rising from the streets of Brooklyn, Lil Kim was one of the first female rappers, assisted by the Notorious B.I.G. in the 1990s. Throughout her career, she’s earned media attention both for her talent, and her knack for getting involved in feuds and disputes among the rap scene’s different groups.

Lil Kim has also had a lot of ups and downs in her personal life. She owns a gorgeous mansion in Alpine, New Jersey, but almost lost the home in bankruptcy in 2018. After working things out with the court and with creditors, she was able to keep the $3 million home. The gorgeous white home has a modern design, and a landscaped property, complete with a tennis court.

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick has become a Hollywood celebrity portraying the “girl next door”, and likes to keep her personal life low-key and casual in the same way. The tiny actress and singer has a big voice, which rocketed her to fame in her early teens, earning a Tony nomination when she was just 12!

She keeps her private life private, but we do know that the 5’2″ actress lives in Los Angeles, in a home she bought way back in 2012. She paid just over $1 million for the three bedroom cottage, which while on the smaller side for a Hollywood celeb, is just right for the petite star.

It’s nice to know that while celebrities may “have it all” they are still “just like us” and come in all shapes and sizes. Or at least short and tall.

Howard Stern came to fame as a “shock jock”, a radio host who pushes the limits of decency and convention while entertaining, and shocking, their listeners. Once one of the most polarizing figures in American culture, Howard has aged like a fine wine, growing new audience bases, reaching out to more Americans, and increasing his reputation and popularity across many demographics.

So, on his 67th birthday, let’s take a look at the man who made pushing the envelope a career, and wish Howard Stern a happy *bleeping* birthday.

Childhood Home, Roosevelt, NY

Howard Stern was born on January 12, 1954, in Queens, NYC. When he was young, the family moved to Roosevelt, on Long Island. While there, he got his first taste of entertaining, playing with marionettes and puppets, as well as joining a band, where he sang and played on the keyboard. His dad worked in radio, perhaps giving Howard the initial exposure and interest in the career that would make him famous.

Fred Norris Homes

Early in his career, Howard came across fellow radio host Fred Norris, and the two became friends. When Howard became popular enough, he was able to bring Fred onto his show, an opportunity of a lifetime. Since that first gig in 1981, Fred has worked with Stern in several cities and on several stations, and has an estimated net worth of at least $16 million!

Apartment in NYC

Fred bought an apartment in New York City in 2011, which is smart since the radio show is usually recorded in the city, and his main residence is about two hours outside the city. He paid $1.4 million for the 1,370 square foot unit.

Home in the East Hamptons, NY

Fred’s wife, Allison, is a real estate agent in the East Hamptons. The family owns a home there, with great landscaping, lots of privacy, and, of course, a pool.

Robin Quivers Mansion in Beach Haven, NJ

Robin Quivers is the long-running co-host to Howard Stern on his radio show. The “Voice of Reason” plays such an integral role in the show that Howard has said, without her the show would be cancelled. But Robin is more than a sidekick, she’s become Howard’s best friend over the 40 years they’ve worked together.

Robin has earned a lot of money working with Howard, making at least $10 million a year. In 2013, she sold off much of her real estate and bought a seven bedroom mansion in New Jersey.

She paid about $3.4 million for the mansion in the small and exclusive town of Beach Haven, about 70 miles from Manhattan. It’s a lot of money to most people, but since her net worth is at least $75 million, she could easily pay cash!

Mansion in Southampton, NY

Howard and his wife own a gorgeous mansion in elite Southampton on Long Island. He bought 4.5 acres in 2005 and built a custom mansion in 2012. It has eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a master suite as big as many homes, bowling alley and wine cellar.

It also has a studio, which was great during the Covid lockdowns, as Howard recorded his show from here.

Howard likes to maintain and upgrade his property, which is easy enough to do since he is worth abut half a billion dollars, and makes about $100 million more every year.

Penthouse, Manhattan, NY

Howard has long worked in downtown NYC, so it only makes sense that he has a place nearby. And what a place it is! Over two decades, he acquired two entire floors of the Millennium Tower in downtown Manhattan, giving him 8,000 of living space, all for a cool $21 million. This building is home to some of the richest and most famous New York residents, so it’s perfect for Howard.

Mansion, Palm Beach, FL

In 2013, Howard dropped $52 million on an estate in Palm Beach, Florida. He’s since spent more than $13 million renovating the home, including adding a studio nearly identical to the one he has in New York. He’s recorded some shows here in 2021, stating he prefers the lifestyle, weather, and tax structure in Florida.

The house has a custom 1,000 foot closet just for his wife alone, five bedrooms, 12.5 bathrooms, and a guest house. The home has 19,000 square feet of living space on 3.25 acres, has a pool, and direct beach access. What a life!

Howard has come a long way, from rough neighborhood in New York City to one of the richest entertainers in the world! He has amazing real estate, a great job, and most importantly, friends and family who love and support him as he continues to evolve in his career. On his birthday, no matter where he is, he’s sure to have a wonderful birthday

Happy birthday, Howard!

 

 

 

 

The first Monday in January is known as “Divorce Monday” because so many people file for divorce as soon as they can after the holidays.

In honor of this macabre milestone, let’s take a look at some of the couples who didn’t make it to the end of 2021.

Kim and Kanye

Perhaps the biggest breakup of the year is the separation of Kim and Kanye West. After six years of marriage, the celebrity powerhouse couple filed for divorce. While both parties have moved on, Kanye still seems interested in making it work.

Since she filed for divorce in February, Kim has continued to live in the family’s massive Hidden Hills mansion that was finally completed in 2020. The renovations took six years, and now the house is valued at up to $60 million!

The home is unique, to say the least, with sinks that don’t have basins, closets the size of living rooms, and massive spaces for entertaining. The multi-billion dollar couple will have a lot for their attorneys to sort out in the next little while, but at least they’ll be living in comfort while they work things out.

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid were one of Hollywood’s prettiest couples. The former One Direction supersinger and the gorgeous high fashion model dated for four years, and even had a baby together in 2020. However, after family disputes, the couple broke up in November 2021.

During most of the pandemic, the couple were living at a ranch in New Hope, Pennsylvania, next to property owned by Gigi’s mom, Yolanda Hadid.

In 2018, Zayn closed on a New York penthouse for $10.7 million. The pad has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a 1,000 square foot terrace, and a generous 4,000 square feet of living space. That’s a lot of space for any house, but in NYC, it’s crazy! But this guy is worth more than $75 million, so he can afford it.

Elon Musk and Grimes

Elon seems to be at the peak of his game. His electric car company Tesla has a reputation for being one of the coolest cars on the market. SpaceX has been making headlines for successfully making trips into space. He’s the richest man in the world!

But in September 2021, it was announced that his relationship of three years with Grimes, a creative and unique singer, producer and all-around musician, had reached its final conclusion. The couple had a baby boy in 2020, and have announced they at least “semi-separated.” But they’re still living together, for now.

Elon has also recently sold most of his real estate, and his personal property, and moved into a tiny 400 square foot box house set on the property of SpaceX in Texas.

Bill and Melinda Gates

In May 2021, it was announced that Bill and Melinda Gates were getting divorced. To many, the news was a shock, as the couple had been together for nearly 35 years. It turns out, the couple had been quietly divorcing for two years before the news was made public.

The news drew quite a bit of unwelcome attention to Bill’s personal life and decisions in the past. The divorce took two years to finalize because of the massive assets the couple had. Together, they were worth about $152 billion in 2021!

Their primary home outside Seattle, Washington is estimated to be worth $130 million! In the 66,000 square feet of living space are a trampoline room, seven bedrooms (only?) and 18.75 bathrooms. Outside it has a 60 foot pool complete with an underwater music system. No word yet on who will keep the house. Good thing they’re both loaded because it’ll cost a fortune to clean it!

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez

Engaged and close to tying the knot, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were a power couple until the abruptly split in April 2021. Both Jennifer and Alex love to date high-profile people, and it seemed like a match made in heaven for the four years they were together.

The couple bought a pad in Malibu in 2019 for $6.6 million. The beachfront property once belonged to Jeremy Piven. The three-story home has about 4,400 square feet, and is hidden behind a private entrance and gorgeous landscaping designed to increase privacy. The couple sold the home before they broke up, which makes separating assets a little easier.

Both Jennifer and Alex have ties to Miami, so it was a no-brainer that they bought a $33 million mansion. It has a gorgeous pool for when the direct boat access to the ocean doesn’t cut it. The interior decor is opulent, with deep wood walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and high-end finishing. No word yet on who will keep the house.

While celebrities may be just like us in the break up department, they’re definitely not like us when it comes to finding a new pad post break up. If you’re going through a rough patch, just remember at least you’re not arguing over who has to keep up a $60 million LA mansion without proper sinks!

 

 

 

In a complete shock to the entertainment world, Betty White passed away in her sleep on December 31, 2021. She was just shy of her 100th birthday, but seemed as healthy, happy, and lovable as ever.

As we mourn the loss of America’s sweetest comedian, let’s look back on her long life and career.

Carmel, California Home

Betty White began her career in radio, before television entertainment was even a thing! She had already been acting for more than 30 years when she appeared on a game show hosted by Allen Ludden. The two fell in love and were married in 1963.

The happy couple bought land in Carmel, California, and built their dream home. It was about 3,000 square feet, with two bedrooms and five bathrooms. However, fate was cruel, and Allen passed away from cancer just days after the home was completed.

Nonetheless, Betty moved in and lived there for decades, until she had to move to Los Angeles, in order to receive better personal care during the Covid-19 pandemic. Betty was devastated at the move, as she had hoped to live there until she died.

Los Angeles, California Home

Betty White passed away in her sleep in her new home, on December 31, 2021. While it wasn’t where she wanted to be, the 3,600 square foot house was a good home for the actress, and she found ways to be happy there. The house had a gorgeous kitchen, swimming pool, and rooms dedicated to stuffed animals, which brought the animal lover great joy. She always told people that whenever she went in or out of these rooms, she said hello and goodbye to her beloved stuffed pets.

Golden Girls Home, Los Angeles, California

Betty White had been acting for 45 years when she starred in Golden Girls in the 1980s, cementing her celebrity status for another generation. Working alongside Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and others, Betty stood out for her portrayal of the naive and sweet Rose.

The home featured in the show is a real house, in Los Angeles. Exterior shots of the home were used originally, but eventually a replica was built on a studio back lot for more convenient filming.

Sandra Bullock

One of her favorite fellow movie stars, Sandra Bullock loved Betty White. Long after they worked together in The Proposal, the two funny ladies were great friends. When Betty White received a lifetime achievement award, Sandra presented it to her.

Sandra is very private about her personal life, especially since adopting her son Louis. But she does maintain a residence in New Orleans, where he was born. The city is important to her, as she wants to maintain ties to his roots.

The 1876 Gothic-style home has 6,600 square feet, five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and set Sandra back about $2.25 million.

Ryan Reynolds

It seems that everyone who worked with Betty loved her, and she was especially fond of joking around with Ryan Reynolds about his “crush” on her. The two joked as recently as December 2021, right before her death. Ryan and his wife Blake Lively choose not to raise their family in Los Angeles, and have spent years in New York.

The couple lived in this home in Pound Ridge, NY for about a year before they decided to move down the street to a $5 million home that was better for their family. They are private about their kids, so we won’t link to that home here.

Betty White’s passing on December 31 seemed like a fitting, if not frustrating, end to 2021, a year that was full of ups and downs. Even so, we will be grateful for the long life Betty had, and be grateful that she shared so much of it with her fans. Thank you, Betty, for the decades of laughs and joy you brought us all. We will not soon forget you.

 

It’s the end of 2021, and as the year wraps up, it’s good to take time to reflect on the changes of the last year, and who will be joining us as we ring in the next year.

Let’s take a look back on some of the famous and influential people who passed away in 2021.

Larry King

A mainstay of nightly news for decades, Larry King died on January 21, 2021, of an infection and Covid-19. The 87 year old interviewer to the stars lived a life that often got as much coverage as the interviews he conducted. At the time of his death, he was in the midst of a messy divorce.

He was married eight times, to seven women (one twice), had five kids, and a fortune estimated at more than  $100 million. He owned a mansion in Beverly Hills, that he sold as part of the divorce with his last wife, Shawn Southwick. It sold in 2020 for about $15.5 million. One of the major features of the massive estate was a gorgeous foyer with double curved staircases. It also had marble floors, high-end swimming pool, and more.

Hank Aaron

Hank Aaron, nicknamed “Hammerin’ Hank” died in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 22, 2021. He was 86 years old, and a trail-blazing, record-setting baseball legend and American hero. Hank still holds several baseball records; many people consider him one of the all-time greats.

This feat is even more remarkable because baseball had just become integrated, and many places the teams played in were still segregated. Hank was often forced to stay and eat in locations separate from the rest of his team because he was Black.

After playing for the Braves for 21 years, he stayed in Atlanta and became a fixture in the community. His house was burglarized in 2014, and the crime was a local outrage. Hank was still involved in community outreach until the day he died peacefully in his sleep at his home.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer, most famous for his starring role in The Sound of Music, died on February 5, 2021. He was 91, and had been acting in films for more than 70 years. The Academy Award winner lived in Weston, Connecticut, with his wife of 51 years, Elaine Taylor.

In spite of his fame, Christopher lived in the home for more than 35 years, and was an active member of the community. His home is estimated to be worth more than $3 million, has nearly 6,000 square feet, has a guest house, bath house, pool, tennis court, and more spread out over nearly 10 acres.

Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh

Just short of his 100th birthday, Prince Phillip passed away on April 8, 2021. Married to Queen Elizabeth II, he was the longest-serving consort of England in history, serving since 1952.

Buckingham Palace

He and Queen Elizabeth owned several homes and estates, but they spent most of their time at Buckingham Palace, in downtown London. The palace serves as the administrative center for the royal family, and as the main royal residence since the time of Queen Victoria. After Prince Phillip’s death, well-wishers from around the world left mementos and notes outside the Palace for the Queen and her family.

Balmoral Castle

The Prince and his family loved to get away to Balmoral Castle in Scotland as often as they could, for holidays and other getaways. The property was bought by anther famous consort, Prince Albert. The family loves to hunt deer and other animals, and spend time away from the public eye.

Gregg Leakes

Gregg Leakes grew to fame and fortune largely as the husband of NeNe Leakes, a rapper, television celebrity and businesswoman. The couple were fan favorites on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and even had their own spinoff show featuring their second wedding to each other.

Gregg succumbed to colon cancer on September 1, 2021, after fighting it on and off for three years. He was 66 years old, and leaves behind six kids as well as NeNe, who has publicly expressed her grief.

NeNe decided to put the mansion they bought in 2015 on the market. The home, bought for $2 million, is on the market for $4 million. The 10,000 square foot mansion has a pool, five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and closets bigger than most bedrooms.

Colin Powell

Colin Powell passed away on October 18, 2021. He was 84. Born and raised in the Bronx and Harlem, the son of Jamaican immigrants went on to an exemplary career in the US Army, leaving the military as a four-star general. He continued his career in public service, serving as the first African American Secretary of State, as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more.

He was also considered as a candidate for President, but declined to run. He often spoke out on national issues of race, equality, and service.

Colin Powell lived with his wife Alma outside Washington, D.C. in the town of McLean, Virginia, in a gorgeous brick mansion.

These are just a few celebrities and famous people who passed away in 2021. While time waits for no one, it’s still important to look back and remember those we have loved and admired over the years, and pay them a fond farewell.

The fourth installment of The Matrix is out in theaters today, and it’s sure to be a hit, like the first three films in the franchise.

Hollywood loves to release the biggest blockbusters and best cinematic performances in December, for holiday audiences and to qualify for the annual awards season. Let’s take a look at some of the stars we can see on the big screen right now!

Keanu Reeves, Hollywood Hills, CA

Keanu Reeves has been in Hollywood for decades, covering comedy, drama, action, and horror. His various acting, directing, and bass-playing gigs have helped him amass a fortune north of $350 million!

The veteran actor’s most influential role was the 1999 role as Neo in The Matrix. The series has a fourth installment coming out today, and fans are already eager to see what Neo is fighting for, and against, this time.

When he’s not acting, Keanu likes to retreat to his gorgeous, 5,600 square foot Hollywood Hills mansion. The home, often surrounded by fans, has a long outdoor pool and outdoor lounge area, gorgeous landscaping around the nearly half-acre lot, and sleek, modern decor inside the home.

Zendaya, Encino, CA

Zendaya has been in show business for most of her 25 years, and has already earned an Emmy, produced a television series, and starred in several major motion pictures. This December, she’s back on the big screen opposite Tom Holland for the third time in the Spider-Man series.

Zendaya owns a home in Los Angeles, which set her back $4 million, a modest sum for someone who’s net worth is more than $20 million. Her four-acre lot has lemon trees and palm trees, giving her much-needed privacy. She has a gorgeous outdoor pool, a guest area, six bedrooms, a fully-renovated and updated kitchen, and more.

She’s come quite a long way from being a breakout Disney Channel star!

Matthew McConaughey, Austin, TX

For many years, Matthew McConaughey preferred to live in a trailer rather than a luxurious home like most of his Hollywood peers.  That outsider attitude contributes to what people love about the actor, who has Sing Two coming out this month.

Born and raised in Texas, he has always maintained a connection to the Lone Star state even though he’s often working in southern California. He and his wife Camila Alves own a large home in Austin, Texas.

The “Old Oaks” estate is the primary residence for the family of five, and with 10,000 square feet, there’s enough room for the three boys to run around, when they’re not outside enjoying the nearby Lake Austin, boating, biking, or whatever else they can do on the nine acre of wooded, wild land right next to their gorgeous grounds.

Reese Witherspoon, Brentwood, CA

Also contributing her vocal chops to Sing Two, and also having an outsider’s approach to Hollywood, Reese Witherspoon maintains a very private life outside her career as one of Hollywood’s most famous, and most productive, stars.

In 2019, Reese and her husband bought a very private three-acre estate in Brentwood, for $16 million. The English Tudor-style home has nearly 10,000 square feet, seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, formal living room and dining room, and chef’s kitchen.

Outside, it has a saltwater pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, dining area, and fire pit. It’s the perfect place to raise a family, relax, and enjoy the high life.

Denzel Washington, Beverly Hills, CA

Denzel Washington is a king in Hollywood, and on December 25, he’s on the screen as a king, this time as Lord Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth, a Joel Coen-led take on Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

Denzel has been in more than 50 movies and made numerous television and theater appearances. His long and successful career has allowed him to enjoy the high life, including a home most of us can only dream about.

His LA home sits on more than two acres, has eight bedrooms and 14 (!!!) bathrooms, as well as 28,000 square feet of space in the main house. It also has a pool, fountain, tennis court, and gorgeous landscaping. He bought the home in 1992, for about $2.7 million, and estimates place the value at $16 million or more! When you’re worth more than $250 million, you can really live like a king!

December is a month when people spend time together, and going to a movie is a great group activity. This year, there are so many great choices, no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find a great movie to keep you entertained!

Brad Pitt is literally one of the most famous people in the world. He’s had an amazing career acting in and producing films, and most importantly is the dad to six wonderful kids.

Today, he’s celebrating his 58th birthday, so let’s take a look at some important places from the Oscar-winner’s life.

Current Home, Los Feliz, CA

Brad Pitt has been a celebrity for thirty years, and his love life has been front page gossip fodder for as long. For 15 years, he and Angelina Jolie were a globe-trotting power couple. They maintained a Los Angeles-area home, which they turned into a compound for their ever-growing family.

The compound includes multiple houses, including an entire house dedicated to the kids’ play area, a house for the nannies, a skate park, a playground, pool, and two guest houses! He paid $1.7 million for the main house in 1994, but it’s hard to put a real value on what the compound is worth these days.

Adjacent Home, Los Feliz, CA

In 2009, Brad Pitt bought a home next to his original Los Feliz home to be redesigned as a play area for the family’s six kids. He paid about $1.1 million for the home.

Whatever he paid, it’s worth the cost because the compound has been a haven the last 18 months, a place where his kids can gather and hunker down during quarantine and stay at home orders California has had over the last few years.

Chateau Miravel, France

During his time with Angelina, Brad was a world traveler. The family spent much of their time abroad, including in France. The family rented a gorgeous villa called Chateau Miravel. The couple rented it for several years, before deciding to buy the estate for $67 million in 2011.

The couple wed at the chateau in 2014, and spent years working out who would own the property upon their divorce. They ended up splitting ownership, and a few times it has been the focus of controversy in the media.

The chateau has 40 rooms, a gym, spa, massive wine cellar, indoor and outdoor pools, theater and game rooms, and more. It’s big enough for their large family, for whatever activities they want to do!

Fight Club Location, Los Angeles, CA

One of his early successes, Fight Club was both a box office success and immediate cult classic. Fans of the movie love to check out real-life places that were in the movie.

The store is blown up as an act of vandalism in the movie, but the real-life store is still intact, in downtown Los Angeles, California. It’s just one of many spots that helped grow one of the biggest careers in Hollywood.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith House, Pasadena, CA

Another big bump to Brad’s career was the fun spy story Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The house where the spy couple lived in the movie is a beautiful home in Pasadena, and has been used in at least one other movie.

The other reason the movie played a pivotal role in Brad Pitt’s career is that it’s here where Brad got to know Angelina Jolie, changing the trajectory of his personal life forever. While his marriage to Jennifer Anniston was quietly coming apart, became close to Angelina. Brad and Jennifer filed for divorce in early 2005, and then Brad and Angelina went public with their relationship shortly after.

Frank Gehry Duplex, New Orleans, LA

Brad Pitt knows his fame can be used to help others. After Hurricane Katrina leveled parts of New Orleans, Brad created the Make It Right Foundation, aimed to rebuild the city’s urban residences. The Foundation attracted both world-renowned and local architects to design sustainable and affordable housing.

One of the most famous homes built was by award-winning architect Frank Gehry, who designed a unique duplex with multiple covered porches, energy-efficient and low-polluting materials, within a budget many low-income residents of the Lower Ninth Ward can afford.

While only one Frank Gehry duplex has been built, the Foundation has supported the construction of dozens of affordable homes, helping many families recover and grow after Hurricane Katrina.

Former home in New Orleans, LA

When Brad and Angelina wanted to draw attention to New Orleans, they did more than talk; they moved their family there part-time. The family bought a home in the French Quarter in 2007. It was an upscale 7,500 square foot town house with Venetian plastered walls, marble, crown molding, and a guesthouse.

After the couple divorced, they sold the home for a tidy profit, for nearly $5 million. The divorce and sale of the property hasn’t stopped Brad’s involvement in New Orleans and other places in need, which shows that even when personal tragedy hits, he maintains his commitment to helping others.

Brad Pitt is 58 today, but he’s still got a lot of life left to live, and a wonderful family to spend it with. Hopefully they’re able to get together at his awesome LA area home, or somewhere else fun and fabulous enough for one of the world’s most famous, admired, and attractive celebrities.

Happy Birthday, Brad!