Originally built in 1925 by architect Lester G. Scherer for silent film star Rudolph Valentino and his wife, Natacha Rambova. Its stucco walls, tiled roof, and lush landscaping—complete with palm trees, rose gardens, and a stone fountain—evoked Old Hollywood glamour. Valentino lived there briefly before his sudden death in 1926 at age 31, after which the property hit the market.
Tom Lyle Williams, flush with Maybelline’s growing success, bought Villa Valentino in late 1926 or early 1927 for $57,500—about $1 million in today’s dollars. For Tom Lyle, a discreet gay man who avoided the spotlight, the secluded estate offered both privacy and prestige. He moved in with his partner, Emery Shaver, and turned the villa into a personal sanctuary and occasional business hub. The garage housed his prized custom Packards, including a 1939 Packard 120 Convertible Victoria, while the interior—featuring hardwood floors, arched windows, and a grand staircase—hosted family gatherings and quiet retreats. His nephew, Bill Williams, spent significant time there, soaking in the opulence and car culture.
A hidden room, possibly Valentino’s old love nest, doubled as a safe for Maybelline’s secrets. The estate’s commanding views of Los Angeles, from downtown to the ocean, made it a coveted spot, yet Tom Lyle kept it low-key, avoiding the lavish parties typical of Hollywood elite.
The Villa Valentino stands as a testament to Tom Lyle’s quiet empire-building and the Maybelline dynasty’s Hollywood roots.
