51șÚÁÏ

The Los Angeles landmarks from film and TV damaged by wildfires

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press Jan 10, 2025 11:05 AM
A firefighter walks past a charred bunny sculpture and debris at the destroyed Bunny Museum, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in the Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)▲

The high school where Brian De Palma brought Stephen King’s “Carrie” to life, Will Rogers’ ranch house and a motel owned by William Randolph Hearst are among some of the famous structures that have been

Los Angeles is a town full of landmarks, thanks to its co-starring role in over a century Some famed spots — like the Hollywood Bowl, the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held — initially seemed imperiled by the Hollywood Hills fire, yet remained at least largely unharmed Thursday. But the fires have taken a toll on some familiar sites.

Palisades Charter High School

There was “significant damage” to though the main campus building stands. Founded in 1961 and built for a reported $6 million, the high school currently serves some 3,000 students throughout the Los Angeles area, though they were not in session this week.

FAMOUS CREDITS: De Palma’s 1976 adaptation of “Carrie,” starring Sissy Spacek as the outcast teen, is perhaps Pali High’s most recognizable credit. It’s also played high schools in the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, the Kirsten Dunst movie “Crazy/Beautiful,” the Anne Hathaway film “Havoc,” the television series “Teen Wolf” and “American Vandal” and the music video for Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u.” Notable alumni include filmmaker J.J. Abrams, actors Jennifer Jason Leigh and Forest Whitaker, musician will.i.am, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Will Rogers’ ranch house

a property dating back to the 1920s, was completely destroyed in the Palisades Fire. Built on 186 acres in the Pacific Palisades area, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it had 31 rooms, corrals, a stable, riding ring, roping arena, polo field, golf course and hiking trails. It was where the famed actor (once one of the highest paid) and radio personality would ride horses and practice roping before his death in 1935. His widow, Betty Rogers, gave the property to the state in 1944 and it became a historic state park.

FAMOUS CREDITS: The state park was featured in the 1975 Barbra Streisand sequel “Funny Lady.”

Topanga Ranch Motel

The Palisades Fire also destroyed a 30-room, bungalow-style motel built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929. The property had been uninhabited and deteriorating for nearly 20 years, but there were plans for a restoration and reopening in the works.

FAMOUS CREDITS: The 1970s television series “Mannix” as well as an episode of “Remington Steele,” the 1986 Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy movie “Blue City” and the 1991 Bridget Fonda movie “Leather Jackets.”

Reel Inn Malibu

on the Pacific Coast Highway and across the street from Topanga Beach State Park opened in 1986 and burned to the ground in the fire. In an Instagram post, the owners wrote that they weren’t sure what would remain of the beloved spot. “Hopefully the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles,” Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote.

FAMOUS CREDITS: It’s been featured on shows like “Man vs. Food” and “The Chew” and counted the likes of Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton and Jerry Seinfeld as fans of its fried seafood fare. It also made a cameo in “24.”

The Bunny Museum

A quirky Los Angeles-area oddity, The Bunny Museum, and was also destroyed. The museum had all sorts of bunny-themed items, from Trix boxes and bottles of Nesquik, Bugs Bunny paraphernalia and magazine covers of performer Bad Bunny. There was also a Chamber of Hop Horrors detailing the historical abuse of bunnies that had an age requirement: 13 and up.

FAMOUS CREDITS: It’s made the Guinness Book of World Records, and been featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the Smithsonian Magazine and an episode of “Visiting
With Huell Howser.”

“Hacks” mansion

The 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion that played Deborah Vance’s Los Angeles home in the HBO series “Hacks” was located in Altadena and fell victim to the Eaton fire. According to the trade publication Deadline, only the facade remains.

FAMOUS CREDITS: It played the “side mansion” belonging to character in “Hacks.” According to reports, it will be seen in the fourth season.

The Andrew McNally House

The Queen Anne-style mansion in Altadena that dates back to 1887 and was commissioned for wealthy map-maker Andrew McNally was lost in the Eaton Fire. Designed by architect Frederick L. Roehrig, the house had nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, seven fireplaces, a distinctive bell-shaped turret (that had a view of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean) and a wrap-around porch. It was adorned with hand-carved woodwork, stained glass windows and included an opulent “Turkish Room” decorated with Moorish influences. The grounds also had an aviary. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

FAMOUS CREDITS: The 2001 Whoopi Goldberg and Jada Pinkett Smith movie “Kingdom Come.”

Charles S. Farnsworth Park

A picturesque 15-acre park with a playground, amphitheater, walking paths and a baseball field was damaged in the Eaton Fire. The Los Angeles County Parks department wrote on Instagram that the Altadena park’s Davies Community Center, a stone building that dates back to 1934, was destroyed.

FAMOUS CREDITS: The amphitheater, directly next to the community center, can be seen in “American Pie 2” as the location of the band camp concert. The park has also been used in the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.”

Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press

Return to 51șÚÁÏ