Best Celebrity Homes

Under renovation for nearly two years, this $20 million compound owned by Will Smith is located in the Santa Monica mountain range just above Malibu, California. The estate will feature full-size basketball and tennis courts as well as a sand volleyball court, batting cages, horse facilities, a gym and a private lake. Until the house is finished, Smith, his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and their three children are living in a nearby house that they also own.

Oscar Note: Nominated for 2007 Best Actor Award for playing struggling dad Chris Gardner in Pursuit of Happyness. Also nominated Best Actor in 2002 for Ali.

Star Trivia: Smith nearly went bankrupt in his early twenties after his swift rise to popularity as part of the musical group, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. (In fact, Smith turned down admission to MIT to pursue his singing career.)

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

The 5,000-square-foot house that Halle Berry bought for $8 million has 60 feet of beach footage and was designed to have coastline views from almost every room. The 1990 Malibu Cove, California, home was recently renovated using a mix of glass, stainless steel, granite, limestone and maple to update its four bedrooms and five baths.

Oscar Note: Won 2002 Best Actress Award for playing down and out Leticia Musgrove in Monster's Ball.

Star Trivia: Berry was named afer the grand old Halle Building in CLeveland, Ohio, which originally housed the Halle Brothers department store.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

The four-bedroom shingle-style farmhouse in East Hampton, New York, was picked up by Renee Zellweger for $2 million several years ago. Unlike other actors of her stature, Zellweger didn't opt for glitz, but went for authentic, traditional style. The understated home is only 2,000 square feet and sits street-side on about two acres.

Oscar Note: Won 2004 Best Supporting Actress for playing Ruby Thewes, a tough mountain girl in Cold Mountain. Zellweger has been nominated two other times.

Star Trivia: The day after the sudden end of her four-month marriage to singer Kenny Chesney became public, Zellweger turned up at a steakhouse in East Hampton. She asked for a table for one, kicked off her sandals and quietly dined on salmon and steamed spinach before leaving a $100 tip.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

"Villa Oleandra," George Clooney's $6 million Lake Como hideaway since 2001, boasts 15 bedrooms and a room reserved especially for homemade pizza night (Thursdays). The 18th century lake-side Italian villa has hosted pals Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas.

Oscar Note: Nominated this year for Best Actor for playing lawyer Michael Clayton in Michael Clayton. Won Best Actor Award in 2006 for playing CIA field operative Bob Barnes in Syriana, which he also produced, and was nominated for Best Director in 2006 for Good Night and Good Luck.

Star Trivia: Clooney always wanted to be a pro baseball player and only turned to acting when he was rejected from a Cincinnati Reds tryout.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and husband, Coldplay singer Chris Martin, live in this Belsize Park townhouse, which they bought for about $6 million from British actress Kate Winslet. The couple, who now live here full time, sunk nearly $2 million into renovating the five-bedroom mansion, which included construction of a five-foot fence around the property to prevent paparazzi from photographing daughter, Apple, and son, Moses.

Oscar Note: Won 1999 Best Actress for playing love interest Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love.

Star Trivia: Before her marriage, Paltrow spent every Thanksgiving with Steven Spielberg, who is her godfather, and his wife Kate Capshaw at their East Hampton estate.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

Dame Helen Mirren and husband, producer and director Taylor Hackford, live in this stunning 19th century Georgian townhouse in London near the Thames river. The four-story home, which overlooks a communal garden, even has its own flagpole. Alas, no flag was flying on the morning these pictures were taken, so we can only assume the Oscar-winning actress was not at home!

Oscar Note: Won 2007 Best Actress Award for playing Queen Elizabeth in The Queen. Also nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2002 for Gosford Park and for Best Supporting Actress in 1995 for The Madness of King George.

Star Trivia: Of Russian descent, Mirren's real name is Ilyena Lydia Mironoff and her nickname is Popper.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

Hilary Swank's 6,722-square-foot estate is located in Pacific Palisades, California, and is valued at about $4.8 million. Built in 1928, the five-bedroom, seven-bath Mediterranean-style home has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and was completely remodeled in 1990.

Oscar Note: Won 2005 Best Actress Award for playing wannabe boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Million Dollar Baby, and also won 2000 Best Actress Award for playing transgendered teen Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry.

Star Trivia: Earned $75 a day for Boys Don't Cry and about a month before fiilming started, Swank went around in public dressed as a boy, fooling most people who met her.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

John Travolta and wife, actress Kelly Preston, live in this $20 million gated estate with their two children, Jett and Ella Bleu. Located in the exclusive Brentwood Hills section of Los Angeles, the 8,000-square-foot home has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and features five bedrooms, eight baths, a media room, a ten-car garage, a tennis court, a pool, and an outdoor kitchen.

Oscar Note: Nominated for 1995 Best Actor Award for playing mob hitman Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction. Also nominated for Best Actor in 1978 for playing Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever.

Star Trivia: As a child, Travolta attended dance classes and his teacher was Fred Kelly, brother of actor/dancer Gene Kelly.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

Finally nearing completion is Julia Roberts' Malibu estate where she has spent millions on building an eco-friendly home. The Pretty Woman star (whose fortune is estimated at $140 million) demolished two adjacent homes on two lots and is currently building a super-sized "green" estate on this cliff-top site with commanding views of the Pacific Ocean. The house, which will be home to husband, cameraman Danny Moder, and their three children, reportedly has solar power, was built with wood from "sustainably managed forests," and has recycled tiles in the bathrooms.

Oscar Note: Won 2001 Best Actress Award for playing struggling legal assistant Erin Brokovitch in Erin Brokovich. Also nominated in 1991 for Best Actress for Pretty Woman and in 1990 for Best Supporting Actress for Steel Magnolias.

Star Trivia: During filming, Roberts (who is 5'9") lies on her back when getting makeup applied because she feels it gives her a relaxed look.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News

Kate Hudson and her now ex-husband, rocker Chris Robinson, bought this 1935 Pacific Palisades, California, home for $5.5 million in 2003. Currently valued at more than $6 million, the house has been remodeled and features seven bedrooms, five baths and a swimming pool.

Oscar Note: Nominated for 2001 Best Supporting Actress Award for playing Penny Lane, an avid rock-n-roll fan in Almost Famous. (She lost out to Marcia Gay Harden in Pollock.)

Star Trivia: Hudson and Robinson's four-year-old son, Ryder, won't let them cut his long hair unless he can have a mohawk.

Celebrities: PRPHOTOS.com/Homes: Pacific Coast News