Groucho Marx's House Hits the Market for $6.99 Million

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A former home of comic Groucho Marx is on the market in Beverly Hills at $6,995,000.

The Spanish-style estate has been maintained by the same family for the last half-century. Marx's initials are carved into the concrete in two spots -- the driveway and near the pool. A copper storage unit that the actor made in the upstairs office for his signature cigars is intact. Fruit trees that he planted remain on the property. Marx was interviewed by Edward R. Murrow in the house in the '50s.

The two-story house, with about 6,000 square feet of living space, sits on more than an acre of grounds with mature trees, an expansive lawn and a swimming pool. It was built in 1927 and has eight bedrooms and 61/2 bathrooms. Marx made more than a dozen movies as part of the Marx Brothers, as well as others on his own. He was also a host of radio and television game shows. Marx died in 1977 at age 86.

Sally Forster Jones and Daniel M. Weiser of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills East office have the listing.

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Case Closed

David Boreanaz, who stars on "Bones" as an FBI agent, has sold his Hollywood Hills compound for $2.6 million, the Multiple Listing Service shows.

The traditional two-story house and detached guesthouse sit on about a quarter of an acre in the hills above the Sunset Strip. The main house has a vaulted living room ceiling, a combined eat-in kitchen and family room, and an upstairs master bedroom suite with city views. The guesthouse, which could serve as an art studio or media room, has a bar and upstairs bedroom and office. In total, there are three bedrooms, 31/2 bathrooms and 3,152 square feet of living space. The property has sitting areas with fire pits, a swimming pool with spa, an outdoor kitchen and a fireplace.

Boreanaz, 41, has played agent Seeley Booth on "Bones" since 2005 and has served as a producer and director on the Fox crime drama, which has been renewed for a sixth season. He played the title role in "Angel" (1999-2004), a character he spun off "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003).

Benjamin Shapiro of Coldwell Banker Hancock Park South had the listing, according to the MLS, and Victor Kaminoff of Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, represented the buyer.

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Actress Ready for a Scene Change

British actress Alex Kingston and her husband, German writer Florian Haertel, have listed their Hollywood Hills home for $3,995,000.

The original 1964 bungalow was redesigned by Paul Hinckley into a modern house of glass, wood and concrete with 4,257 square feet of living space. The entry opens to a living room with a high Douglas fir ceiling and a two-sided fireplace. There are six bedrooms and 6 1/2 bathrooms. A swimming pool hugs the back of the house, which sits on nearly half an acre, with city and reservoir views.

Kingston, 47, gained the attention of American television audiences with her portrayal of Dr. Elizabeth Corday on "ER" (1997-2009). She has also appeared on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2009-10), "Doctor Who" (2008-10) and "FlashForward" (2009-10).

Steve Frankel of Hilton & Hyland, Beverly Hills, and Barbara Tenenbaum of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills East office have the listing.

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New 'Gossip' in Hancock Park

"Gossip Girl" writer and co-executive producer Josh Safran and his husband, producer Ted Alexandre, have bought a Hancock Park area property for $2.75 million.

The English country-style house, built in 1929, includes a formal dining room, a den with a fireplace, a breakfast room, an updated kitchen, four bedrooms and 31/2 bathrooms in about 4,200 square feet.

Safran's show, the CW's "Gossip Girl" (2007-present), will return in the fall for its fourth season.

Alexandre was a consulting producer on "Valentino: The Last Emperor" (2008) and has worked on visual effects for films.

Jeff Yarbrough of Keller Williams Realty, Beverly Hills, represented Safran and Alexandre. W. James Simpson of Teles Properties, Beverly Hills, had the listing.

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Venice Housing Fit for a King

Legendary goalie Rogie Vachon, whose number was retired by the Los Angeles Kings, is hoping to retire his street number next. He has listed his Venice-area home at $1,488,000.

The Mediterranean-style house is six blocks from the beach. Built in 2001, the 3,005-square-foot tri-level includes a den, a loft, three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Vachon, 64, is selling because he has purchased another house in the area. He was goalie for the Kings from 1971 to '78 and general manager from 1984 to '92. His number, 30, was the first to be retired by the Kings.

During his time in the National Hockey League, he also played for the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Redwings and the Boston Bruins.

Vachon bought the house that's for sale in 2004 for $1.1 million, according to public records.

His daughter-in-law, Renee Vachon of Nourmand & Associates, Beverly Hills, has the listing.

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