Photo: RKO Pictures

Yesterday in Los Angeles, the 1940’s actor, Orson Welles’ Oscar was auctioned off for more than $861,000. The “Citizen Kane” star won the Academy Award for the original screenplay. Ironically, for decades the statue has been thought to be lost until a cinematographer Gary Graver attempted to sell it back in 1994. It was then that Orson’s youngest daughter, Beatrice Welles also the sole heir put an end to it.

According to Sam Heller, the spokesman for Nate D. Sanders Auctions, many bidders from around the world bid for the Academy Award, including David Copperfield. The magician’s first television special was hosted by Welles. Despite being outbid, Copperfield said he admired Welles for not just his successful cinematic career, but he believed the actor to also be a magician.

No word on the highest bidder’s name, due to the auction house declining to release it at this time. The auction of Welles Academy Award has been a momentous occasion. Over the years, only a few of these awards had been sold for such a high price. In 1999, Michael Jackson paid $1.54 million for David O. Selznick’s Oscar award for best picture in “Gone With The Wind.”

Source: Huffington Post

Like Haute Living Los Angeles? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingLA. Want Haute Living Los Angeles delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.