Elon Musk has moved to foreclose on actor Gene Wilder’s former home. Pictures: Getty
Billionaire Elon Musk has moved to foreclose on actor Gene Wilder‘s former home — after loaning the Willa Wonka star’s nephew millions of dollars to help him buy the iconic property.
The 53-year-old Telsa founder, who was hailed for his generosity after he not only agreed to sell the home to Wilder’s relative, filmmaker Jordan Walker-Pearlman, for $7m (A$10.3m), but that he had also agreed to loan him $6.7m A$9.9m) in order to make the purchase possible.
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However, that fairy-tale has now turned into a nightmare after Walker-Pearlman and his wife, Elizabeth Hunter, fell behind on their loan payments, which prompted Musk to file a notice of default.
The notice serves as the first step in foreclosure and allows Musk to force a sale of the property 90 days after it has been filed, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Musk loaned millions to Wilders’ nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman to help him buy the home. Picture: Realtor.com
The cool kitchen and bar area. Picture: Realtor.com
Walker-Pearlman and Hunter have, at the same time, listed the property for $12.95m (A$19m), with listing describing it as “a piece of Hollywood history.”
“Nestled in the exclusive Bel Air neighbourhood, this timeless property, designed by celebrated architect Robert Byrd, offers unparalleled views of the Bel Air Country Club,” the Realtor listing says.
Historically the home has had its fair share of celebrity involvement.
Wilder sold the colourful property nine years before his death. Picture: Realtor.com
It was the long-time home of Wilder, who lived there with his third wife, Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner, until her death in 1989.
The Journal reports that a trust linked to Musk bought the home for $6.75m (A$9.9m) in 2013.
In 2020, the billionaire made the surprising decision to sell almost all of his physical possessions, including Wilder’s former home.
The home has four bedrooms. Picture: Realtor.com / Getty
Picture: Realtor.com / Getty
In a series of tweets at the time, Musk shared that he planned to “own no house,” before noting that his one “stipulation” in the mass fire sale was that, “Gene Wilder’s old house … cannot be knocked down or lose any [of] its soul.”
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In 2022, Walker-Pearlman spoke warmly of Musk’s kindness in agreeing to loan him the money, explaining that he had long dreamt of purchasing the property after spending a great deal of time there as a child.
“He could have sold it for so much more,” he told the Journal. “His sensitivity to me can’t be overstated.”
The backyard area. Picture: Realtor.com / Getty
Despite Musk now taking legal action against Walker-Pearlman and his wife, the filmmaker appears to have no ill will toward the billionaire businessman.
“There’s no tragedy here,” he said, noting that the 2023 Hollywood strikes took a grave toll on their ability to keep up with payments on their loan.
“Elon gave us a magical opportunity. I have no complaints,” he said. “This is likely the closing of a very unicorn and beautiful chapter of our lives. I’m not disgruntled at all.”
Gene Wilder is best known for his role as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Picture: Supplied
Now, another homebuyer will have the chance to take on this “unicorn” property, with four bedrooms, living space that includes a media room, dining room, library, breakfast nook, and sauna.
Outside, there is a garden and a classic kidney bean – shaped pool where guests can take in the views of the lavish Bel-Air neighbourhood.
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