Gallery

Pop artist Andy Warhol postulated in the catalog for an early exhibition of his photographs (Moderna Museet, Stockholm 1968), "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." While Warhol's original meaning has been debated by social scientists and philosophers, in the 21st century's environment of rapidly changing media, anyone can become a phenomenon, internet star, or personality without discernable talent. Warhol's caution about fame's downside remains the same: as quickly as your star rises, it can fall—by his reckoning fame lasts about 15 minutes.

At the height of his career Paul Revere Williams was known as the Architect to the Stars. His design ideas were broadcast through contemporary newspaper articles, photographic spreads in popular design magazines and by word-of-mouth. For almost 40 years his home designs were commissioned by Hollywood stars, movie industry powerful and wealthy Californians who aspired to live like Hollywood royalty.

During Williams' professional life time, the names, faces and life-stories of his celebrity clients were well-known to most Americans. Because their marriages, divorces, multiple homes, hobbies and pets were chronicled in local newspapers, fan magazines and newsreels, the American public felt a personal connection. Though not as well known, his wealthy California clientele appeared in society columns and their estates and weekend homes were featured in House Beautiful, Architectural Digest or California Arts and Architecture. Magazine editor Elizabeth Gordon used these homes as visual "instruction manuals" for her subscribers, the American middle-class woman. Gordon advised the readers to study and emulate the elite's architectural designs and interior furnishings. Williams' designs were an element of this moment in American cultural and aesthetic history. 

But who were Williams' clients and would we know them today? Just as Warhol predicted, public fame is fleeting. Do Americans remember cinema star Richard Arlen or his role in the Academy Award winning Wings? Do today's movie goers realize that film is the inspiration for some of the most exciting air combat sequences in the Star Wars series? Comedian Jack Oakie lived in a Williams' home built in Northridge, California. Oakie starred in Chaplin's satiric The Great Dictator. His original performance as the dictator of the nation of Bacteria is the comedic model used by many of today's actors, including Mel Brooks. Williams designed a home for actress Luise Rainer. Did you know that Luise was the first woman to win two Academy Awards? For these stars only their films and their Williams' designed homes survive.

The Paul Revere Williams Project would like to hear from owners or admirers of homes of these forgotten icons. Can you provide personal photographs? CONTACT US.