Russell owned the 1.36-acre property from 1985 to 2000, sharing the home with her third husband, builder and real estate agent John Peoples.
While Russell was best known for her screen presence – starring opposite Marilyn Monroe Men prefer blondes and featured in almost twenty films – the house reflected a very different side of her life: private, faith-driven, creative and deeply rooted in family.
A 1.36-acre estate in Montecito with a rich history
During the time Russell lived here, the Montecito estate served as both a refuge and a gathering place.
She hosted lavish pool parties for friends and neighbors, held Bible study meetings, painted in vibrant colors inspired by her years in Sedona, and swam almost every day in the pool her husband built.
Now, decades later, the property has been renovated into a sleek, modern 1950s retreat that still lives like a small estate, just without the leopard print wallpaper.
A complex from the 1960s with an estate-like scale
Originally built in 1964, the main house spans 3,678 square feet with six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
The home sits quietly on a generous lot surrounded by mature trees and lush landscaping, creating the sense of seclusion that Montecito buyers often appreciate.
Classic midcentury lines with sun-drenched interiors
The architecture leans toward classic 1950s features: clean lines, large glass and open living spaces designed to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.
Contemporary interiors are sun-drenched and streamlined, with white-beamed ceilings, warm wooden floors and glass walls that open directly onto terraces, patios and garden paths.
The floor plan has been adapted for comfortable living
While Russell and Peoples significantly expanded the original one-bedroom structure during their ownership — most notably adding a primary suite on the second floor — the current iteration takes things back to a more timeless, design-focused aesthetic.
Living spaces designed for light, flow and entertainment
The living room anchors the home with high ceilings and large windows that frame the greenery outside.
A hanging black fireplace adds a subtle sculptural element, while the layout promotes easy movement between the living room, dining area and kitchen.
With an outdoor terrace that increases the space outside
Sliding glass doors open to a generous terrace equipped for outdoor lounging and dining, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor rhythm of the home.
It’s easy to imagine why Russell favored this house as both a retreat and a social center, even though the furnishings today are much more subdued than the brightly colored interiors she once designed herself.
A kitchen that keeps everything clean and contemporary
The kitchen continues the home’s understated modern approach, with sleek cabinetry, integrated appliances and a layout that remains visually connected to the surrounding living spaces.
Rather than seeming garish, the design feels practical and intentional – suitable for everyday life as well as larger gatherings.
In Russell’s day, entertaining here often meant feeding crowds at large pool parties or after-Bible study gatherings. The current setup still supports that kind of flexibility, just with a quieter, more contemporary sensibility.
A primary suite, once built as a personal retreat
One of the most significant changes Russell and Peoples made to the home was the addition of a primary suite on the second floor. that Russell once described as one of her favorite spots on the property. At the time, it included a spa-like tub, a closet wall and famous leopard print accents throughout.
Today, the suite has been converted into a quieter, more neutral space, with access to outdoor terraces and peaceful views of the surrounding grounds. The emphasis is now on privacy and comfort rather than theatrical flair, but the sense of retreat remains intact.
A guesthouse and studio that increase the flexibility of the property
In addition to the main residence, the complex includes a separate one-bedroom guesthouse of approximately 1,000 square feet, along with a studio apartment above the two-car garage.
Together they give the property the feeling of a small enclave rather than a single home.
Russell himself once toyed with the idea of moving to the boarding house
When Russell was owner, she once came up with the idea of moving into the guest house herself and renting out the rest of the property – a testament to how independently the spaces function.
Today, the additional structures provide options for extended families, guests or creative workspaces.
A creek, walkways and grounds built for daily rituals
One of the estate’s most distinctive features is the creek that winds through the property, crossed by two walkways built by Peoples himself.
Stone-lined paths connect different parts of the site and wind through mature landscaping and shaded garden areas.
The site functions as an extension of the house
Russell was known to walk these paths daily, treating the grounds as an extension of the house rather than a backdrop.
That sense of movement and connection still defines the property, even as the landscape has been refined over time.
A pool area for both quiet afternoons and large gatherings
The pool and spa are the heart of the complex’s outdoor amenities. A rectangular pool is flanked by lounge areas, shaded seating and a dedicated pool house, creating a self-contained zone for relaxation and entertainment.
In the 1990s, Russell hosted large-scale barbecues here – sometimes for more than a hundred guests – and even held a celebration of life for Peoples at the pool after his death in 1999. The space still reads as social and welcoming, just with a more modern, resort-like sheen.
From Hollywood legend to modern Montecito list
Jane Russell’s Montecito years marked a quieter chapter in a famously multifaceted life.
Although the house no longer reflects her bold personal style or lively gatherings, it still bears the imprint of a woman who valued privacy, creativity, faith and community.
Currently for sale, for $8.25 million
Now for sale for $8.25 million, Russell’s former residence is a rare blend of Hollywood history and contemporary Montecito life – adapted for today’s buyer, but still anchored by a story that spans decades of film, family and reinvention.
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