The Willy Wonka/Gene Wilder Byrd Home
Gene Wilder & Gilda Radner
The late Gene Wilder and his wife, actress/comedienne, Gilda Radner, once lived in a beloved Robert Byrd Home high in the hills of Bel-Air, CA. One of Gene Wilder’s most famous and celebrated roles was in the 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The home became known as the Willy Wonka House.
Robert Byrd Design & Build
The home was built in 1951. It was designed and built by Robert Byrd. It has three bedrooms and three baths and is 2,756 sq. ft. It sits on three-quarters of an acre in Bel-Air, CA. This beautiful home overlooks the Bel-Air Country Club Golf Course.
Current Owner
After Wilder’s passing in 2016, the house was purchased by Elon Musk. A few years ago, Musk wanted to sell the home and preserve its storied history. He would only sell to someone who would keep and maintain the property. He eventually sold it to Gene Wilder’s nephew, with a loan to make it happen.
Historic Home
In 2024, the loan went into default, and the home was once again for sale. Currently, the home is off the market. The nephew could still be living on the property. The story continues to unfold…