What do Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra, Denzel Washington, Bob Iger, Cary Grant and Michelle Pfeiffer have in common? They all lived in homes designed by a man who, some 40 years after his death, is finally having his moment.
Hollywoods Architect, a new documentary directed and produced by Royal Kennedy Rodgers and Kathy McCampbell Vance which will air on PBS SoCal as part of Black History Month chronicles the life and work of Paul R. Williams, the African American architect behind more than 3000 famous homes and sites, particularly in Los Angeles. One Holmby Hills home formerly owned by Reagan and Jane Wyman recently went on the market for $7 million. (It cost Williams a little over $12,000 to build in 1938.) Williams was known for mastering the Spanish Colonial, modernist California look, with grand entryways and spiral staircases that made just about everyone feel like a star. Sinatra proudly gave Edward R. Murrow a tour of his Williams home on an episode of Person to Person.
In addition to all the homes, parts of the Los Angeles Airport, the Hollywood hangout Chasens and the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel were designed by the formerly underappreciated architect. (That is his handwritten Beverly Hills Hotel on the iconic sign.) Jimmy Fallon and Russell Crowe are among others who still love particular Williams-designed public rooms there. Danny Thomas became a close friend of Williams and, as his daughter Marlo says in the doc, hired him to do the St. Judes Hospital in Memphis. Williams did not ask for or accept money for the work.
Also Read: '2020 Oscar Shorts: Documentary' Film Review: Traditionally Intense Category Wields a Slightly Lighter Touch This Year
His life story (1894-1980) is the stuff of which movies are made. He was orphaned at the age of four, raised in a foster family, and eventually got himself into the USC engineering department. Even after finding success, he could not always get into the very places he helped design because of his skin color. When he expressed interest in the field, he was told by more than one professional, there is no such thing as a Negro architect. He even learned to draw upside down in order to sketch for clients while sitting across the table from them for the benefit of those who might have been uneasy alongside a man of color. He was trailblazing and game-changing, says Quincy Jones, who is interviewed in the doc and attended a standing room only viewing at the Raleigh Studios this week.
Helene Pollock, now 101 and living in Montecito, has lived in three Williams-designed houses: the first in Beverly Hills, in the 1930s, when her parents hired the then-unknown architect to build. Im so proud of them when I think about that now, says Pollock, especially because my dad was a Republican and all that meant. When she had three kids of her own, (Including future and former Universal chairman Tom Pollock) she bought a Williams house on Mapleton Drive in Beverly Hills from Joseph Mankiewicz. By that time, I was aware of who Paul Williams was, she says. And yes, it meant something. Mankiewiczs grand-nephew, NBC reporter Josh, says Joe was a big liberal, pro-integration, so it makes sense he would have befriended Williams.
Royal Kennedy Rodgers, a former ABC News reporter, has been tenaciously working on this project for more than a decade. There was money to raise, Williams fans and supporters to interview, as well as current and former homeowners such as producer Steve Tisch, Denzel Washingtons wife, Pauletta, (Washington had years before played basketball at the Williams-designed YMCA) Willow Bay and her husband Disney chief, Bob Iger. And there was a host to find. (Courtney B. Vance does the honors) I became convinced that this story could only have happened in the early days of Hollywood, says Kennedy, because it was a no-rules anything goes, constantly reinventing type of place. As Williams granddaughter, Karen Hudson, said to me, Paul Williams and L.A. grew up together.'
Even many in the field admit they were late to understanding the heft, quantity, and beauty of Williams work. The current Dean of USCs School of Architecture says, I was not that familiar with him before coming to USC, admits Milton S.F. Curry. But I have since learned of his incredible legacy. He was so eclectic, doing everything from homes of all models, to churches, civic buildings, and public housing. He cared about community, culture and craft. So far, the campus has no wings, rooms, or plaques carrying Williams name.
Nationally, Williams was the posthumous recipient of the 2017 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal. William Bates, the former president of that organization, is incredibly grateful for the belated acknowledgment of Williams, and believes the documentary will continue the momentum. My hope is that it provides inspiration to a new and more diverse generation of future architects, says Bates. Our representation within the profession is less than 2%. Obviously, it must represent the society that it serves if it is to be relevant. Williams story is one of creative persistence, professional talent and personal determination.
Better late than never.
Hollywoods Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story airs on PBS SoCal Thursday night at 8 p.m.
The acting legend (and father of Michael Douglas) died Wednesday at age 103. Here's a look back at his biggest roles in Hollywood.
Champion (1949)
Douglas earned his first Oscar nomination for playing the dogged boxer Midge Kelly in a black-and-white drama written by Carl Foreman ("High Noon").
Ace in the Hole (1950)
In one of Billy Wilder's most cynical dramas, Douglas plays a ruthless journalist who exploits a mining disaster -- even sabotaging rescue efforts -- to prolong the media frenzy.
The Bad and the Beautiful (1951)
He earned his second Oscar nomination playing another cad -- this time a power-obsessed Hollywood producer said to be modeled on David O. Selznick.
Lust for Life (1956)
In a departure from his cynical big-screen roles, Douglas brought real sympathy to his portrayal of tortured artist Vincent Van Gogh in Vincente Minnelli's biopic -- and the actor earned his third Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)
Douglas plays outlaw Doc Holliday to Burt Lancaster's lawman Wyatt Earp in John Sturges' classic Western about the famed shootout in Tombstone, Arizona.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Again playing against type in Stanley Kubrick's antiwar movie, Douglas brims with decency as a French colonel in World War I who fights against an unfair court-martial of his men.
Spartacus (1960)
Douglas hit a career high as a rebellious Roman slave in this historical drama whose onscreen revolt had a real-life parallel. The actor also produced the blockbuster film and his very public hiring of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo helped to break Hollywood's blacklist of Communists.
Lonely Are the Brave (1962)
Douglas counted this Dalton Trumbo-penned Western as his personal favorite, and he gave a memorable performance as a New Mexico cowboy who was more of a drifter than a guy rooted in the land.
Seven Days in May (1964)
In John Frankenheimer's political thriller, Douglas plays a longtime military officer who begins to suspect that his nuke-obsessed general boss (Burt Lancaster) may be plotting to overthrow the president.
The Man From Snowy River (1982)
Douglas plays twin brothers -- a one-legged gold prospector and a wealthy cattle rancher -- in George Miller's coming-of-age drama about a ranch hand in 1880s Australia.
The acting legend (and father of Michael Douglas) died Wednesday at 103
The acting legend (and father of Michael Douglas) died Wednesday at age 103. Here's a look back at his biggest roles in Hollywood.
See the article here:
Hollywoods Architect Paul R. Williams Finally Gets to Shine in the Spotlight (Guest Blog) - TheWrap
- Gensler architects will lead design of Baltimore Harborplace redevelopment - Baltimore Sun - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Watch How Zaha Hadid Revolutionized The Way Architects Design | The Blueprint Show - Architectural Digest - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Trash or Treasure: Rare painting may be work of noted architect - The Detroit News - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- In London, Leopold Banchini Architects uplifts arts and crafts for wine bar Goodbye Horses - The Architects Newspaper - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Architects Schedule a Show at the Wiltern - The Scenestar - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- A lab supply glut has pushed architects to get creative to find work - The Architects Newspaper - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Jon Batiste to Receive Inaugural Ray Charles "Architect of Sound" Award at Grammy Hall of Fame Gala - Jambands - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Stargaze (STARS) - AMA with The Architects - 03 Apr 2025 - TradingView - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Sequel Architects the Next Era of Entertainment with Transformative Streaming Experiences - Bluefield Daily Telegraph - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Open Call for UIA World Congress of Architects UIA2026BCN - - World-Architects - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Solutions Architects and AI Tools: What You Need to Know - dice.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Sequel Architects the Next Era of Entertainment with Transformative Streaming Experiences - ACCESS Newswire - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Horton Harper Architects thoughtfully designed this multigenerational home overlooking the Cuyahoga River and the city's industrial areas - Global... - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- AN launches AN BETS, the worlds first architecture gambling app - The Architects Newspaper - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- ARCHITECTS announce North American tour with ERRA - Revolver Magazine - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- ARCHITECTS to headline summer North American tour with ERRA and HOLYWATR - Lambgoat - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 2 Syracuse alumni elevated to The American Institute of Architects - The Daily Orange - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Architects to embark on North American headline tour this summer - Kerrang! - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Vibe coding isnt here to take developer jobs. Its here to transform them into AI architects - TechRadar - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- AD100 architects Talati and Partners craft a Mumbai home with stunning views of the sea - Architectural Digest India - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Richard Brown helped Rice blaze new trail as one of original architects of Shepherd School of Music - Rice University - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 10 loathed architectures, that architects love - Domus Web - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- barcelona's 'three chimneys' reborn as media hub in winning proposal by GdSB and marvel - Designboom - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Women as architects of intergenerational change - ET Edge Insights - ET Edge Insights - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- "This certainly won't be the tech bro biennale" says Venice Architecture Biennale curator Carlo Ratti - Dezeen - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Northern New York Community Foundation partners with BCA Architects - nny360.com - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- Lawyer investigating $1.9 million additional architects fee in Crown Event Center review - CityView NC - April 4th, 2025 [April 4th, 2025]
- 3D scanned tree trunks become translucent table legs for aki hamada architects' collection - Designboom - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- terraced cityzen tower by zaha hadid architects set to rise in tbilisi, georgia - Designboom - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Zaha Hadid Architect designs skyscraper with cascading terraces in Tbilisi - Dezeen - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Elevating the Voice of Landscape Architects, Creating Vibrant and Resilient Communities - American Society of Landscape Architects - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Only 6% of architects are using AI regularly - Fast Company - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Insights from tomorrows architects: Appreciating women in architecture and driving change - Building Design - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art shares designs by shortlisted firms for expansion - The Architect's Newspaper - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- AN talks to the curators of Cooper Unions Thank you, Herman Jessor - The Architect's Newspaper - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Tbilisi's rolling hills inform new Cityzen Tower designed by Zaha Hadid Architects - World Architecture Community - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- How two architects turned a higgledy-piggledy hillside cottage into a quirky family home - Country Living UK - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Overconsumption a global challenge that can be addressed by architects - Architecture AU - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Marlon Blackwell Architects completes Heartland Whole Health Institute at Crystal Bridges - The Architect's Newspaper - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Subnautica 2: The Case For The Architect Race to Appear In The Sequel - GameRant - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Restore Oregon tour will open doors to these storied architects' bucket list modern homes - OregonLive - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Architects of the month | 'Sustainability isn't a fad' - India Today - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Throwing Architecture a Curve: Rediscovering Flix Candelas Years in Chicago - Newcity Design - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Whither the genius architect? The Brutalist reminds us of lost legacy - The Times of India - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- Top Tickets This Week: Volbeat, Architects - Stereoboard - March 17th, 2025 [March 17th, 2025]
- This week Patrik Schumacher claimed architecture "has ceased to exist" - Dezeen - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- First global study of the extraordinary role of animals as architects of Earth - Anthropocene Magazine - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Album review: Architects The Sky, The Earth & All Between - Kerrang! - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The American Hardwood Information Center Offers Free Tool for Architects and Designers - PR Newswire - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- mork-ulnes architects rounds up its greatest works with monograph 'the craft of place' - Designboom - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The Unsung Architects of Innovation: Women in the Tech Industry - RiverBender.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Architects The Sky, the Earth & All Between Review - Myglobalmind - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Architects Unleash 'The Sky, The Earth & All Between' - antiMusic.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- ALBUM REVIEW: Architects The Sky, The Earth & All Between - Boolin Tunes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Architects The Sky, The Earth & All Between - Clash Magazine - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Architects are bringing nature home by making trees part of the plan - The Salem News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Zaha Hadid Architects Begins Construction of the Center of Mediterranean Culture in Italy - ArchDaily - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Reviews - The Sky, The Earth & All Between - BLABBERMOUTH.NET - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The design of Pittsburghs future will be about trust, say two local architects - NEXTpittsburgh - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Zaha Hadid Architects' Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center in Beijing provides a world-class venue designed to meet the growing... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Beijing Unveils the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center by Zaha Hadid Architects - stupidDOPE.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Construction begins on Zaha Hadid Architects' Centre of Mediterranean Culture in Italy - World Architecture Community - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- ARCHITECTS Team Up With HOUSE OF PROTECTION On New Single 'Brain Dead' - BLABBERMOUTH.NET - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- What is Brutalism and What do Architects Think About The Brutalist - Prestige Online Hong Kong - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Architects and designers respond to Trumps first month in office - The Architect's Newspaper - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- AIs Dark Architects: Palantir, USAID and the Alt-Right Pipeline - Mintpress News - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Album Review: Architects The Sky, The Earth & All Between - RockSins - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- How a forgotten Minnesota monastery inspired The Brutalist - The Straits Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- 7 albums you need to hear this week - Rolling Stone UK - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- What is Brutalism? And why do architects hate 'The Brutalist'? - The Star Online - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Gallery of Zaha Hadid Architects Begins Construction of the Center of Mediterranean Culture in Italy - 1 - ArchDaily - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Why architects slammed The Brutalist, and more about the Oscar nominee - South China Morning Post - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Study reveals impact of animals as architects of Earth - Kalinga TV - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- JKMM Architects combines football stadium with housing in Finland - Dezeen - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Gavin Newsom Announces He's Starting a Podcast And Will Interview MAGA's 'Biggest Leaders and Architects' - LatinTimes - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Life on Earth gallery opens at UK, highlights architects and designers - Kykernel.com - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Backlash builds: why the architecture world hates The Brutalist - The Guardian - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Trump Call for Traditional Buildings Could Stifle Innovation, Architects Say - Hyperallergic - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- Architects Announce Intimate "The Sky, The Earth & All Between" UK Release Shows - Theprp.com - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]
- fan-shaped bus stop by ginga architects welcomes schoolchildren in rural japan - Designboom - January 31st, 2025 [January 31st, 2025]