Considered one of the greatest actors working today, Meryl Streep has been in the limelight since the 1970s, when she starred in an array of high-profile movies, including The Deer Hunter, before rising to superstardom in the 80s. Her husband of 45 years, sculptor Don Gummer, has been by her side for the whole ride – or so we thought.
On 21 October, news broke that the pair split up in 2017, but kept it out of the public eye. "Don Gummer and Meryl Streep have been separated for more than 6 years, and while they will always care for each other, they have chosen lives apart,” a rep for Streep told People. Let's find out more about the former couple and take a look around the homes they've shared...
The three-time Oscar winner met Gummer in 1978, shortly after the death of her boyfriend, Godfather star John Cazale. They were introduced by Meryl's brother and she began subletting Gummer's New York apartment after moving out of the home she'd shared with Cazale. The pair – pictured here at the 1980 BAFTA Awards in London – began writing to each other and romance quickly blossomed. They were married in her parents' garden just six months later.
Streep's success continued to grow and she landed her first Oscar just two years later, for divorce drama Kramer vs. Kramer. She won again in 1983 for Sophie's Choice and was nominated for a total of seven Academy Awards in the 1980s alone. Since then, the star has chalked up another 13 nominations, including one win, and has built up an estimated net worth of $100 million (£81.7m).
She specifically thanked Gummer during her acceptance speech for her most recent Oscar in 2012. "First, I'm going to thank Don... I want him to know that everything I value most in our lives, you've given me," she said, presumably referring to their four children.
Meanwhile, the sculptor has enjoyed a successful career of his own, earning an MFA from Yale and showing his work in numerous exhibitions around the world.
With their combined fortune, the couple snapped up numerous homes, including a stunning penthouse apartment in the heart of Manhattan's trendy Tribeca neighbourhood offering sweeping views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Streep and Gummer bought the home in 2006 for $10.1 million (£8.2m), according to Business Insider, and moved back to New York City from Connecticut after all four of their children had left the family home.
The former couple first tried to off-load it in 2018 for $24.6 million (£20m), which would have been the year after their private split in 2017. The penthouse sat on the market for two more years, finally selling for $15.8 million (£12.9m) in 2020.
The near 4,000-square-foot penthouse apartment is accessed via private elevator. The doors open to a stunning, light-filled interior with floor-to-ceiling windows, Brazilian walnut hardwood floors, custom door screens, luxurious lighting, wood-burning fireplaces and an integrated central audio system.
The four-bedroom property comes complete with an open-plan living room, a chic dining area, an Italian-designed luxury kitchen, a study and four bathrooms.
Pretty much all the rooms, including the master bedroom, open up to the apartment's 10-foot-wide terrace, where the actor and her estranged husband no doubt spent plenty of time enjoying the view during happier times and they both could have made use of the building's fitness centre, private garden, on-site garage and 24-hour doorman.
Both Streep and Gummer studied at Yale University in Connecticut and they must have fallen for the beautiful state, because they spent $1.8 million (about $5.1m / £4.2m today) on a family home there in 1985, according to Architectural Digest.
Perched on the shore of a secluded lake, halfway between Salisbury and Canaan, the estate is said to include a small sheep farm, a pair of barns, a caretaker's cottage and an art studio for Gummer, as well as the large main house.
The former couple raised their four children at the gorgeous homestead and are thought to still own the property today.
Streep and Gummer have lived apart since 2017, which is when the Mamma Mia! star bought this mid-century marvel in Pasadena, California. Originally listed for $4.8 million (£3.9m) in 2016, Meryl managed to snap it up for a significantly reduced $3.6 million (£2.9m). Built in 1959 by architects Whitney Smith and Wayne Williams, the home last changed hands in 1968.
The home expertly blends the inside and outside, with high ceilings, whole walls of glass, original terrazzo floors and incredible views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Described in the original listing as a "one-of-a-kind vintage property," it still has many of its original Japanese-inspired architectural features.
It's easy to imagine Streep appreciating the air of calm this home exudes as she embraced life as a newly single woman in her late sixties.
Standing on almost two acres at the end of the long gated driveway, the sprawling grounds have plenty of mature trees to shield the A-lister from any unwanted attention.
Surrounded by boulders, this pool overlooks a large area of the plot that was once used as a horse corral. While the Only Murders in the Building actress has probably given it a spruce up since this 2016 listing picture was taken, we're sure it retains the same tranquil spirit that must have attracted Streep in the first place.
Read on to peek inside the incredible homes of more 80s stars...
When they're not on-set in far flung locations, attending glitzy award ceremonies, or posing on the red carpet, our favourite 80s movie stars are relaxing at home. Far from buying ordinary houses, these A-listers have used their wealth to bag themselves some seriously envy-inducing properties.
From Tom Hanks' two-home compound, to Michelle Pfeiffer's dreamy mansion and Eddie Murphy's opulent LA pad, let's step inside the real estate of some of the world's most iconic film stars...
Comedy fans will no doubt adore Steve Martin's back catalogue of movies. From Planes, Trains & Automobiles to Father of the Bride and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the actor has been making us laugh for decades.
Today, the writer, director and musician has a reported net worth of $140 million (£114.3m) and with this tidy sum, he bought himself a rather unexpected property...
The funny man's home might not be what you were expecting. Cool and contemporary, the brutally beautiful bunker-style home is seriously stylish. Located high in the mountains of celebrity hot spot Montecito, California, the house dates back to the 1970s and has to be one of the area's most unique buildings.
Let's head inside...
Martin reportedly bought the home and its two parcels of land, which sprawl almost six acres, in early 1995 for an unknown sum. Partially subterranean, the underground residence is made light and inviting via extensive floor-to-ceiling windows. The property was built entirely from concrete, including the floors, walls and ceilings, resulting in stark-but-stylish living spaces with plenty of industrial appeal.
The unforgettable concrete crib offers a chic, open-plan layout spanning 7,377 square feet. From structural columns to concrete-coloured carpets and expansive sheets of glass, the home's interior is far from cosy – but there's no denying that it's seriously cool.
There's a large living room, a smart kitchen, a formal dining room, four bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as numerous patios and balconies connected to the living areas by steel-framed doors.
Akin to a bedroom inside a billionaire bunker, the master suite boasts a snug sitting area where inspiring sunset vistas and Pacific Ocean views can be enjoyed. Outside, you'll also find a bullet-shaped swimming pool, a shaded lounging terrace and a bunker-like guest house.
In 2015, Martin decided to wave goodbye to the house, placing it on the market with a cool $10.9 million (£8.9m) price tag.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Eddie Murphy starred in an incredible run of blockbuster movies, including Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor, cementing his place as one of America's greatest comedic actors.
Today, the star is thought to be worth in the region of $200 million (£163m), making him one of the most successful actors in history. So, it's really no surprise that the comedian has used his fortune to buy himself some truly lavish homes. Let's take a look...
Murphy's home can be found in Granite Bay, California, an affluent suburb close to Sacramento. Nestled on 2.5-acres of land overlooking Folsom Lake, the contemporary compound is home to a 12,600-square-foot mansion, a 5,200-square-foot guest house and a 1,200-square-foot gym, where Murphy no doubt spent plenty of time.
In total, there are 10 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, while the luxurious main house boasts a truly mesmerising interior, with sweeping Cinderella staircases, soaring ceilings, marble surfaces, gilded fixtures and velvet furnishings. Every bit as unique as the man himself, the outrageously opulent property boasts a rotunda-topped great room, a formal dining room, a breakfast nook, a billiards room and a plush movie theatre.
Elsewhere, you'll find a Shrek-themed bedroom, a circular kitchen with panoramic views, numerous bars and plenty of retro design touches, including shag pile carpets and raised bed platforms. There's also an incredible arcade, filled with vintage games and Anime memorabilia.
Head outside and you'll find a stunning backyard, complete with an entertaining patio, an infinity-edge pool, spa and tennis court. The home's numerous balconies overlook the garden's palm trees and lawns, making them the perfect spots for enjoying morning coffees.
In 2007, Murphy sold the house with his now ex-wife Nicole Mitchell Murphy, for $6.1 million (£5m).
Michelle Pfeiffer rose to fame in the 80s and has enjoyed an impressive career, starring in iconic movies such as Scarface and Batman Returns. The mega-star is now worth a reported $250 million (£204m) and is married to another big hitter, award-winning producer David E Kelley, the man behind such shows as Ally McBeal and Big Little Lies. Together, the pair have snapped up a range of homes across the United States, including a beautiful mansion in Pacific Palisades.
Pfeiffer and Kelley bought the dreamy mansion in January 2020, a year after it was built, paying just shy of $22.3 million (£18.2m) for the privilege.
Known as Napoli House, the custom-designed house spans an impressive 10,329 square feet and, despite its recent construction, boasts plenty of characterful features that add to its charm, such as rustic beams, vaulted ceilings and antique carved stone fireplaces.
The stunning property was designed by architect Steve Giannetti and offers a huge open-plan lounge, a luxurious kitchen, a library, a formal dining room, seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. There's even a lavish basement with a climate-controlled wine cellar, a tasting room and a state-of-the-art movie theatre, not to mention an art studio with its own outside entrance.
As for interior design, the home is flawless. Traditional elements blend with modern fixtures, resulting in wow-factor living spaces that are effortlessly cool. Many of the interior rooms flow gently out into the garden, where alfresco living spaces, sunbathing decks and a swimming pool can be found. Others, including the master suite, spill out onto glass-railed patios offering unobstructed golf course views.
As seasoned property flippers, the VIP couple decided to part ways with the home 18 months after buying it. They sold it for $25 million (£20.4m), after it spent less than a month on the market. How's that for property appreciation?
In the 70s and 80s, Sylvester Stallone appeared in endless smash-hit movies, including Rocky and the first film in the iconic Rambo franchise, First Blood. Now a global superstar, the actor has a bulked out bank account worth a reported $400 million (£327m).
No stranger to luxurious properties, the veteran actor has purchased and off-loaded a dazzling range of homes over the years, but one in particular really stands out from the crowd.
Stallone purchased this stunning hilltop lot in Beverly Hills back in 1998 and set about building a custom mansion that would meet all of his needs. The one-of-a-kind home can be found inside an exclusive enclave behind a gated driveway, allowing for complete privacy. Offering no end of luxurious features, the 21,000-square-foot property benefits from unobstructed city views and a truly mind-blowing interior.
Step through the front door and you'll find yourself in a colourful and eclectic interior, with meticulously designed rooms, high-end fixtures and statement furnishings. The custom-built mansion comes complete with eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a formal lounge, two powder rooms and a chef's kitchen. But that's not all: there's even a state-of-the-art gym, a screening room and a stunning cigar room with its very own air-filtration system.
Elsewhere, you'll find a study overflowing with movie memorabilia, while Stallone's master suite boasts a sauna, steam room and a barrel-vaulted office. Outside, there are endless sunbathing patios, an air-conditioned eight-car garage, a putting green and an infinity pool that affords views of Los Angeles. Among the most expensive American homes for sale, Stallone struggled to off-load the property.
The actor first placed the pad on the market in January 2021, for a staggering $110 million (£90m), before lowering the price to a slightly more reasonable $85 million (£69.4m).
Only really affordable for billionaire business tycoons and wealthy celebrities, the home found a new owner in pop star Adele. The 'Easy on Me' singer put down a reported $58 million (£47.4m), which seems to us to be somewhat of a bargain! Yet, the singer must have big plans for the place as she is rebuilding it apart from the pool and Rocky statue!
From An Officer and a Gentleman to Pretty Woman, Richard Gere has starred in some of the most iconic movies of the era. His career began back in 1973 and he became the go-to choice for romantic leads for around two decades.
With a fortune in the region of $120 million (£98m), the veteran actor has plenty of spare cash for snapping up dreamy homes across America. His finest? A stunning country estate in Pound Ridge, New York.
Gere purchased the estate in a series of transactions over the course of a decade, according to Variety. Surrounded by 4,300 acres of protected land, the idyll is perfect for a VIP seeking solitude, but it's also just an hour’s drive from Manhattan.
Gere owned the idyllic mansion for more than 20 years, but after separating from former wife, Carey Lowell, in 2016 and starting a family with new wife Alejandra Silva in 2018, he listed the estate in 2021 for a cool $28 million (£22.9m).
The charming rural home is not only stunning, but huge. Sprawling over some 49 acres, the property is made up of five separate buildings, including a 11,600-square-foot manor, barns and guest houses. With a modern New England aesthetic, the main residence is entirely inviting. Luxurious and yet low-key, the three-storey house boasts eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a large kitchen and numerous living rooms for relaxing and entertaining.
Despite dating back to 2000, the country pile features plenty of eye-catching historic touches, such as panelled walls, rustic stone fireplaces, beamed barrel ceilings and large window seats. Many of the rooms open up to the home's numerous exterior balconies too, all of which offer scenic views across the garden.
Outside, things get even better. From fenced paddocks, to formal gardens, rolling hills, ancient trees and secluded walking trails, the estate is large and beautiful in equal parts. There's also an idyllic pond, a shoreline pavilion, a sandy beach, a swimming pool, horse stables and a full-size soccer pitch.
Gere sold the beautiful estate for $24.2 million (£19.8m) in 2022. However, he didn't move far. The Chicago actor scooped up a Georgian-style mansion in the near-by town of North Salem, for $9.8 million (£8m), according to the LA Times.
From Bull Durham to Thelma & Louise and Stepmom, Susan Sarandon has starred in her fair share of popular cult movies. More recently, the Oscar-winning star has gained new fans, by taking on roles in the likes of Friends and Rick And Morty.
Today, the star is said to be worth in the region of $60 million (£49m). So, unsurprisingly, the actor has bagged herself some stylish houses over the years, including a luxurious apartment she owned for some 30 years.
Sarandon bought the New York City apartment in 1991, with her then-partner, fellow actor Tim Robbins. Located in the neighbourhood of Chelsea, the property can be found inside a nine-storey co-op that was once an industrial building built in the 1920s.
According to House Beautiful, Sarandon hired New York-based interior designer, Yael Weiss, to transform the apartment into the glorious space you see today.
Encompassing 6,061 square feet, the stylish pad features six bedrooms, five bathrooms, light-filled living areas and an outdoor terrace, spread across its two floors. The home's enormous lounge comes complete with a grand curved staircase, as well as a semi-private reading snug positioned around a fireplace.
Other spaces include the chef-worthy kitchen, dining area and media lounge, where the family no doubt curled up to watch movies.
The actor's master bedroom is truly enticing and comes complete with an in-room soaking tub, an ensuite windowed bathroom, a dressing room, a balcony and views of the Empire State Building. There's also a bright blue guest bathroom, where Sarandon displayed movie memorabilia and awards, including her Oscar for Dead Man Walking.
In 2020, the star opted to let the property go, selling it for the listed $7.9 million (£6.5m) price tag. We're sure the views alone justify the price!
Tom Cruise discovered his talent for acting in high school and landed his first major acting role in 1983, playing Joel in Risky Business. He was propelled into the limelight and landed role after role in the likes of Top Gun, Cocktail and A Few Good Men. Still one of the world's most iconic stars, Cruise is now worth a purported $600 million (£490m), making him one of the wealthiest celebrities of all time. With his money, he's collected his fair share of homes...
Yet the veteran actor's best asset might just be this secluded chalet in Telluride, Colorado. Cruise bought the rural plot in the early 1990s and spent several years building a star-worthy estate on the envy-inducing patch of land. Spanning an amazing 320 acres, the luxury rural ranch offered the actor privacy, seclusion and spectacular landscape views.
Clearly, the property holds a special place in the star's heart because it was here that Cruise filmed his famous 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey, and captured the very first images of his daughter, Suri. Inside, the 10,000-square-foot chalet boasts vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and unforgettable alpine vistas from every room. Built from bleached cedar timbers and native stone, the jaw-dropping mansion offers a total of seven bedrooms.
Unsurprisingly, the pad is jam-packed full of luxury home features, including a fitness centre, a state-of-the-art security system, a snowmelt system, a wet bar and underfloor heating. With wood pillars and exposed ceiling beams, the expansive lower level is home to a formal dining room, den and games room. Elsewhere, there's a separate three-bedroom lodge, where Cruise no doubt hosted VIP pals.
Of course, it's really all about what's going on outside. The ultra-private home is surrounded by national forest land and lies within easy reach of Telluride's sought-after ski slopes and golf courses. Plus, just look at that scenery!
In early 2021, Cruise decided to part ways with his longtime home. The property hit the market for a cool $39.5 million (£32.3m) and within a month, it had a new owner.
American actor, Molly Ringwald, hit our movie screens back in 1984 when she starred in the iconic coming-of-age comedy, Sixteen Candles. After that, she gained further roles in the likes of The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink.
After falling slightly off the radar, Ringwald has gained a whole new host of fans, thanks to her roles in Netlfix hits Riverdale and The Kissing Booth, gaining herself a reported $11 million (£9m) fortune. Let's find out where the star lives...
Despite being born in Roseville, California, Ringwald choose to live in New York, in the city's stylish East Village neighbourhood. Her duplex apartment can be found inside an impressive brownstone that was built in 1861, meaning the interior is overflowing with period features and characterful touches.
Ringwald reportedly bought the pad in around 2004, undertaking renovations while preserving the apartment's historic features, such as its chic exposed ceiling beams and marble fireplace mantels. Unlike some celebrity homes, this one is fairly modest. Inside, you'll find a lounge, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
The home's cosy and retro kitchen is certainly brimming with character and looks like it could have been plucked from one of Ringwald's early movies! Offering old-fashioned appliances, a snug dining area and plenty of storage, it's the perfect space for an 80s icon.
Elsewhere, the master suite boasts a cool exposed brick wall, built-in shelving and windows that overlook the Chrysler Building and One World Trade Center. In 2016, the property hit the real estate market for a fairly affordable $1.8 million (£1.5m).
Is there a bigger or more beloved actor than Tom Hanks? Arguably the world's greatest and most popular movie star, Hanks' career has spanned more than 40 years. He rose to fame in the 80s, before landing some classic roles including Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia and Forrest Gump.
Today, Hank is thought to be worth $400 million (£327m), and remains one of the world's most decorated movie stars. Let's take a look at where he once lived...
In 2016, Tom Hanks and his actor wife, Rita Wilson, decided to sell two neighbouring properties in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. The side-by-side abodes made the acting duo a cool $17.5 million (£14.3m). At the time, the couple was thought to own a third property on the same street, according to the LA Times.
The first residence, an English country-inspired manor, spans a staggering 7,260 square feet and comes equipped with seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, as well as small- and large-scale entertaining spaces. There are numerous formal living and dining rooms, a screening room and a pub. Outside, the property has a leafy yard, equipped with a pretty alfresco dining space. The house is also apparently just down the road from the homes of Steven Spielberg.
The second home in the lot might look familiar to some savvy property fans, and that's because it had another celebrity owner, former Friends star, Matt LeBlanc. The iconic TV actor purchased the property in late 2007 for $7.4 million (£6m), following his divorce from Missy McKnight. LeBlanc eventually sold the residence for just shy of $8.8 million (£7.2m), making a nice profit on his investment.
Spanning almost 4,000 square feet, the home benefits from a classic stucco façade with a red-tiled roof, while the interior is kitted out with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, luxe hardwood floors, original fireplaces and pretty tilework. There are four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a spacious half-acre garden.
According to Architectural Digest, Hanks owns other multimillion-dollar homes in Pacific Palisades, as well as a beautiful beach house in Malibu, which he bought in the early 1990s.
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