Actress Jodie Foster Sells Gated Beverly Hills Estate for $8.3 Million

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Climbing roses and red brick accents give Jodie Foster's seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom compound an East Coast vibe. The listing described the style as Cape Cod and Connecticut. On nearly an acre, the compound contains the 1949 main house, a two-bedroom guesthouse, a tennis court and a swimming pool. No panic room, however -- to borrow the title of her 2002 film.

Foster, 49, stars in the recently released film "Carnage." She also starred in and directed "The Beaver" last year. The actress won her Oscars for roles in "The Accused" (1988) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991). Other films for which she is known include "Contact" (1997) and "Taxi Driver" (1976).

The property came on the market in April at $9.975 million and closed quietly in the fall. The property previously sold in 2005. It was listed then for $10.5 million. The listing agents were Jeffrey Hyland and David Kramer of Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills, and Ginger Glass of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills North office represented the buyer, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

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Pop Star Takes a Hit in Beverly Hills

Pop star Rihanna has sold her Beverly Hills Post Office-area home for $5.03 million.

The house had been listed at $4.5 million in November, and closed for more than the asking price in less than two months. But it was substantially less than the $6.9 million she paid two years earlier.

The listing described the house as a "major fixer" with "extensive damage from moisture and water intrusion" at the roof, windows, doors and balconies. Despite the condition, there were four offers on the property.

The 8,520-square-foot, three-story contemporary contains a den, media room, breakfast area, three fireplaces, eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. The gated estate of more than three-quarters of an acre includes a swimming pool.

The four-time Grammy Award winner, 23, is one of the world's top-selling recording artists. She was named 2011's sexiest woman alive by Esquire magazine. Her sixth studio album, "Talk That Talk," was released in November.

John A. Woodward IV of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills north office and John Galich of Rodeo Realty had the listing. Woodward also represented the buyer.

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Chatsworth Estate Comes with Film Credits

A Chatsworth estate frequently used as a filming location, including as a set for "Mad Men," has come on the market at $12 million.

The midcentury home, set on 2 acres, features 16-foot ceilings, walls of glass opening to outdoor living spaces, three lower-level offices and a conference room, four bedrooms and 5 1/2 bathrooms in 6,661 square feet. A one-bedroom, 1 1/2-bathroom guesthouse contains 1,000 square feet of living space. A detached gym sits near the 50-foot-long pool. There is a large motor court and parking for 200 cars.

A 9.5-acre section of the property is covered with vineyards and horse trails. Sitting out of sight of the main residence, that part has a tentative tract map for division into 13 lots.

Known as Farralone, the estate was designed by Pereira & Luckman, which was part of the team that worked on the futurist Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport.

Among the property's film credits are "Dreamgirls" (2006), "Bewitched" (2005), "Swordfish" (2001) and "Ali" (2001).

Lynn Teschner of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills South office is the listing agent.

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Ex-Laker Finishes Moving On

NBA player and former Los Angeles Laker Kwame Brown has sold his house in Playa del Rey for $1.65 million.

The open-floor-plan house had been on and off the market since 2008 when it was listed for sale at $2.999 million or for lease at $12,000 a month. The current listing stated the home had sustained water damage on the main level and needed a new roof, windows, doors and elevator.

Described as a short sale in the listing, the ocean-view contemporary includes four bedrooms and five bathrooms in 6,329 square feet. The breakfast bar can seat up to 10. The basement media room has a built-in projector, screen and a wet bar.

Brown, 29, bought the property for $3.375 million in 2005, the same year he joined the Lakers. After moving on to several other teams, the first pick in the 2001 NBA draft plays center for the Golden State Warriors. He recently signed a one-year, $7-million deal with the team.

Alexander North of North Real Estate Services had the listing. Sherille Varela of Prudential California Realty represented the buyer.

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Psst! Gossip Columnist's Old Home Sells

The Northridge home originally built as a ranch and retreat by renowned Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons has sold for $719,000.

The two-story French Colonial, part of a 28-acre farm known as Marson Farms when it was constructed in 1937, sits on slightly more than half an acre. A sun porch-family room looks out on the backyard lawn, rose garden and swimming pool.

The four-bedroom, 31/2-bathroom main house features built-in cabinetry in the dining room, a wet bar opening to a den, a kitchen breakfast area and a butler's pantry. One of the two master suites includes a fireplace. The guest quarters have a separate entrance and another bathroom for a total of 4,465 square feet of living space.

Parsons, who died in 1972 at 91, started out writing social notes and then a film column. After a bout with tuberculosis in the mid-1920s, she moved to Los Angeles and became a syndicated columnist for William Randolph Hearst.

"She held an undisputed position of power in the motion picture industry for 40 years," according to Los Angeles Times archives, opening "the doors on the private lives of movie people. ..."

Public records show the property previously sold in 1981 for $280,000.

Stephanie Vitacco of Coldwell Banker, Woodland Hills, was the listing agent. Judy Stevens of Prudential California Realty represented the buyer.