Hot Property: Actress Debra Messing hoping for an off-Broadway hit

Debra Messing, who stars on “Smash” as Broadway lyricist Julia Houston, has listed her showstopper in Bel-Air for $11.995 million.

The traditional-style house, designed by architect Paul R. Williams and built in 1937, features bay windows, updated interiors, a den, a bar, a gym, four fireplaces, six bedrooms and eight bathrooms in 6,400 square feet. The more than half-acre gated property, sheltered by tall hedges, includes a swimming pool, a cabana and a brick driveway.

Homes by Williams, who was popular among celebrities and designed homes for entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, still attract big names. Messing bought the property from actress Renee Zellweger in 2003 for $7 million, public records show.

The 44-year-old actress co-starred on the sitcom “Will & Grace” (1998-2006) and the mini-series “The Starter Wife” (2007). The NBC musical drama in which she now stars is in its second season.

Loren Judd of Coldwell Banker’s Beverly Hill’s North office is the listing agent, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

Champ is closing in on a deal

Tennis superstar Serena Williams’ Westwood condo is in escrow. The listing price is $1.85 million.

The Wilshire Corridor building, constructed in 2001, offers concierge service, a valet, a pool and spa and a gym. The open-plan unit features city views, two bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a den/office, a fireplace, balconies and a direct-access elevator.

Williams, 31, has been ranked the No. 1 female player in the world five times by the Women’s Tennis Assn. Her tennis earnings have topped $40 million.

Christine Taylor and Rada Roberts of Gibson International are the listing agents.

Flux capacitor not included

Actor Christopher Lloyd, known to moviegoers as quirky scientist Dr. Emmett Brown in the “Back to the Future” sci-fi trilogy, has sold his house in Montecito for $5.1 million.

Lloyd built the Umbria-inspired home after the house he had on the 5-acre site was destroyed in a 2008 wildfire. The single-level house, which has ocean and mountain views, features a double-island kitchen, four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and 4,600 square feet of living space. There is a swimming pool, a spa, gardens, fountains, an expansive lawn and a bocce ball court.

The Emmy winner, 74, played driver Jim Ignatowski in the sitcom “Taxi” (1978-83) and Uncle Fester in the “Addams Family” movies. He starred last year in the films “Excuse Me for Living” and “Dorothy and the Witches of Oz.”

Lisa Loiacono of Sotheby’s International Realty was the listing agent.

A bit of Mayberry in Glendale

The former home of Don Knotts in Glendale, for sale at $1.295 million, is in escrow.

The Colonial Revival house, built in 1934, has been restored and updated. Features include a foyer that steps down to the living room, wood-beam ceilings, a decorative fireplace, coffered ceilings in the dining room, a breakfast room, a den, three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a three-quarter bath, a powder room and 3,213 square feet of living space.

Knotts, who died in 2006 at 81, was known for his role as bumbling Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife in “The Andy Griffith Show” during the ‘60s, about the same time he owned the house. He won five Emmys for his supporting role in the sitcom. Among his scores of film and TV credits, he joined the cast of “Three’s Company” in 1979 for a five-year stint as landlord Ralph Furley.

The sellers paid $600,000 for the property in 2003, public records show.

Troy Gregory of Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

‘Real’ housewife buys in another Hills

Faye Resnick of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” has purchased a home in the Hollywood Hills for $1.605 million.

The traditional-style house is surrounded by mature landscaping and sits on slightly more than half an acre with fruit trees, patios and a swimming pool. Features include an open floor plan, hardwood floors, a living room fireplace and a wall of French doors in the dining room that open to a balcony with treetop views.

There are three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 2,567 square feet of living space.

Moe Abourched of MSM Luxury Estates was the listing agent. Representing Resnick was Mauricio Umansky of the Agency, who has also appeared on the reality show that stars his wife, Kyle Richards.

Couple complete an exorcism of sorts

“Exorcist” film editor Bud S. Smith and his wife, sound editor Lucy Coldsnow-Smith, have sold their Hollywood Hills home of more than 40 years for $880,000.

The Smiths’ hillside storybook cottage-style home, built in 1926, is surrounded by patios and gardens. Features include a step-down living room with high ceilings and a fireplace, two bedrooms and a separate one-bedroom guest apartment.

Smith was nominated for Oscars for his film editing work on “The Exorcist” (1973) and “Flashdance” (1983). His credits include “The Karate Kid” (1984), “Darkman” (1990) and “Ladder 49” (2004).

Coldsnow-Smith was a dialogue editor for “Gran Torino” (2008), “Million Dollar Baby” (2004) and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007).

Gary Bergevin of Prudential California Realty’s Los Feliz office was the listing agent. Neil Rain Persad of Nelson Shelton & Associates’ Beverly Hills office represented the buyers.

lauren.beale@latimes.com