James Cagney’s Former 5-Acre Beverly Hills Compound Lists for $38.5M

When it comes to Hollywood legends, James Cagney has to be toward the top. Any old-school movie fan will remember classics like White Heat and Angels with Dirty Faces. Interestingly, this former Hollywood icon’s former property is up for sale, with an asking price of $38.5 million.

The estate has a massive footprint, considering its Beverly Hills location, spanning five acres behind gates. Within the compound is a stone villa originally built in 1939, and much more.

Amazingly, the property has only changed hands once since Cagney’s ownership. This was back in 1987, when Steven Dunn, the founder of Munchkin, purchased it from Cagney’s widow. The sale took place one year after James Cagney’s death.

In the 1990s, Dunn bought an adjacent parcel of land and added it to the estate. This is why the property offers so much space. A report by The Real Deal highlighted that Dunn added various courts and guest space.

According to Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California, the home was extensively expanded over the years. The main villa is now roughly 6,000 square feet, including three bedrooms. According to Kanebridge News, the broader estate totals six bedrooms overall.

Finally, TMZ highlighted its original architects as Welton Becket & Associates.

For many, the $38.5 million price point is eye-watering, but in Beverly Hills, with this much space, it’s nowhere near being the most expensive estate available.

What’s inside the gates?

Beyond the gates, the estate is quite spectacular. Hand-laid stone paths connect the buildings through tiered citrus gardens and lawns. The YouTube video makes it look like a private paradise.

TMZ notes its restored main villa, a boathouse-style guest residence, and a standalone creative studio, all arranged like a small village.

The guest residence is roughly 2,500 square feet and was renovated with a nautical theme. Nearby, there’s a pool, a cabana with an outdoor kitchen, plus tennis and pickleball courts.

In the Kanebridge News coverage, Aaron Kirman says Steven Dunn is “ready for a change,” and he’s marketing the property alongside Timothy Di Prizito.

In the same report, it’s highlighted that Dunn owns another adjacent property that is not part of this sale. So, this is a specific piece of the compound hitting the market, not an entire estate sale.