Hawaii’s Bruno Mars has been swirling in real estate deals this year. Plus, he’s racked up two more awards with his “Uptown Funk” hit collaboration with Mark Ronson and is working on his third CD. Clearly, life is good.
Mars, 30, recently sold his home in the Studio City-Hollywood Hills West area of Los Angeles for $3.35 million in an off-market deal, according to real estate websites. The 4,074-square-foot home boasts 11-foot-tall, frosted-glass entry doors with retractable glass walls that bring the outside in.
Further, the property has three bathrooms and three baths and carriage space for 10 vehicles. The Grammy winner purchased the home in 2012 for $3.25 million.
The buyers were Jill Leiderman, executive producer of CBS’ “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show, and her husband, Emmy-winning comedy writer Rob Cohen, whose credits include “The Big Bang Theory.” So the property retains showbiz cred.
Mars earlier this year purchased a 2-acre estate in Studio City for $6.5 million. The 9,033-square-foot, Mediterranean-style home has an infinity swimming pool with a spa, as well as a children’s play zone — though he doesn’t have kids yet. And his Hawaii home (his late mom’s place) was sold this year for $2.9 million — meaning he won’t be residing here anytime soon. …
Meanwhile, “Uptown Funk” just picked up a pair of Soul Train Awards (song and video of year) at ceremonies in Las Vegas.
Mars is developing a family TV sitcom with producer Brian Grazer. Busy!
BAH, HUMBUG: Veteran entertainer Ron “The Piano Man” Miyashiro, 74, who is blind and recovering from a stroke, was sitting in the family’s white 1995 Corolla station wagon waiting in the parking lot for his wife, Gail, at the Iwilei Costo when a stranger began talking to him from outside the car. The unidentified man then ripped the Braille wristwatch from Ron’s arm and took the car and house keys from the ignition. Son Mark Miyashiro posted the theft on Facebook, saying, “Who could do this? No aloha, no class,” pleading for the return of his dad’s precious Braille watch. Alas, Costco doesn’t have video to help ID the thief.
New locks have been installed at home, and Gail said close friends are generously providing funds for a new watch for Ron, who is still shaken by the incident. He continues to undergo therapy to enable him to play piano again. The stroke affected not just his hands, but also his speech.
Bad enough that such a coldhearted Grinch would swipe stuff during the holidays, but from a blind musician who has devoted his life to entertaining and bringing cheer to folks? Unthinkable. …
WHEE, THE PEOPLE: Retired TV anchor Kirk Matthews is battling cancer, and a “Kirk &Friends” benefit is set for 2 to 5 p.m.
Dec. 13 at HASR Bistro in Chinatown. TV buds Matt Levi and Leslie Wilcox will emcee; a $100 ticket includes pupu, two drinks, entertainment and a valuable dose of aloha. Reservations: eventbrite.com. If you can’t attend, send a check to Friends of Kirk, P.O. Box 2449, Honolulu HI 96804. …
Jay Larrin’s Christmas concert will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel’s Mauna Kea Ballroom. Melveen Leed, Chad Takatsugi, Streetlight Cadence and Aidan James will perform, as well. Tickets: $68, including buffet. Reservations: 952-4780 or HawaiiPrinceHotel.com/events. …
Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson, aka Ben and Maila, will headline “A Happy Hawaiian Christmas Concert” at
6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Ala Moana Hotel. Doors open at 5 p.m. Also aboard: Kapena, Ho‘okena, Kuana Torres Kahele, Streetlight Cadence, Kanoe Gibson, Taz Vegas and Kimo Kahoano. Tickets: $75 and $100 (VIP), including buffet. Reservations: 944-4333. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com. Read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at staradvertiser.com
