Tough guy JASON STATHAM has moved to the beach after buying up beloved U.S. TV host JOHNNY CARSON’s former retreat at the exclusive Malibu Colony in California.

The Brit snatched up the five-bedroom spread from film producer Matt Palmieri for an estimated $11 million (£7.3 million).

The Colony has become one of the Los Angeles area’s most exclusive addresses in recent years – thanks mainly to the security the neighbourhood offers stars like Tom Hanks, Jim Carey, Sting and Pamela Anderson, who all own retreats there.

Statham’s new place is an architectural wonder with impressive views and a large garage to house his car collection.

According to the listing, the main house features three bedrooms, an ocean-front sitting area, and a gourmet kitchen, and a guest apartment on the grounds offers another two bedrooms.

Reports suggest Statham, who shot to fame in Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, is still trying to sell a two-bedroom apartment at the Broadway Hollywood building in the heart of Hollywood.

The actor has put that on the market at a loss – $150,000 (£100,000) below what he paid for it last summer (Jun08), according to
RealEstalker.com.

Statham also owns a three bedroom pad in Beverly Hills, which he bought for a reported $2.4 million (£1.6 million) in 2005.