The Ranch With a Hollywood Gate — And a TV History Story

She owns a piece of Hollywood history — and the story behind it is extraordinary.

Philanthropist and ranch owner Ann Lesley Smith welcomes Silicon Valley Front Row to her estate in Escalon, California—where history, media, and Hollywood intersect.

At the entrance stands a remarkable artifact known as the “Hollywood Gate,” once part of the original entrance to 20th Century Fox. The hand-crafted European iron gate, decorated with intricate tulip designs symbolizing wealth and craftsmanship, once welcomed legendary stars like Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra.

But the story goes far beyond Hollywood.

In this conversation, Smith shares stories of media history, entrepreneurship, and the power of believing in a vision before others can see it.