<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Hotelier, real estate investor, art collector </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Carlotta Cuesta (m . 1928) </Td> </Tr> <P> Arnold Sigurd Kirkeby (June 12, 1901--March 1, 1962) was an American hotelier, art collector and real estate investor . He is now best known for owning the mansion in the West Los Angeles suburb of Bel - Air, which was the exterior set for the CBS television show The Beverly Hillbillies . </P> <P> Kirkeby was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Norwegian immigrants . He was married to Carlotta Cuesta (1906--1985), the daughter of Angel LaMadrid Cuesta, founder of the Cuesta - Rey Cigar Company based in Tampa, Florida . Arnold Kirkeby was the founder of the Kirkeby Hotel chain, beginning in Chicago with the Drake Hotel, and ending his hotel interests when he sold the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California . </P>

Where is the mansion used in the beverly hillbillies