The Los Angeles landmarks from film and TV damaged by wildfires
The high school where Brian De Palma brought Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ to life, Will Rogers’ ranch and a motel owned by William Randolph Hearst are among some of the famous structures built damaged or destroyed by the California wildfires.
Los Angeles is a city full of sights, thanks to its leading role in more than a century of filmed entertainment. Some famous sites — such as the Hollywood Bowl, the TCL Chinese Theater and the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are held — initially appeared to be endangered by the Hollywood Hills fire, but at least remained largely unscathed Thursday. But the fires have taken their toll in a number of well-known places.
There was “significant damage” to it Palisades Charter High School, although the main campus building stands. The high school, founded in 1961 and built for a reported $6 million, currently serves about 3,000 students in the Los Angeles area, although they were not in attendance 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 also starred in high schools in the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, in the Kirsten Dunst film “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 JJ 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’ western ranch house, a building dating from 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 school, ropes arena, polo field, golf course and walking trails. It was where the famous actor (once one of the highest paid) and radio personality would ride horses and practice tug-of-war before his death in 1935. His widow, Betty Rogers, donated the property to the state in 1944 and it became a state historic park. .
FAMOUS CREDITS: The state park was featured in the 1975 Barbra Streisand sequel, Funny Lady.
The Palisades Fire also destroyed the Topanga Ranch Motel, a 30-room bungalow-style motel built by William Randolph Hearst in 1929. The property had been uninhabited and in disrepair for nearly twenty years, but plans for restoration and reopening were 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 film “Blue City” and the 1991 Bridget Fonda film “Leather Jackets.”
This seafood shack on 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 were unsure what would remain of the beloved spot. “Hopefully, thanks to the state parks, we can rebuild when the dust settles,” Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote.
FAMOUS CREDITS: It was 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 his fried seafood dishes. It also made a cameo in “24.”
A quirky oddity in the Los Angeles area, The Bunny Museum, located in Altadena and devoted to all things bunny, was also destroyed. The museum had all kinds of bunny-themed items, from Trix boxes and bottles of Nesquik, Bugs Bunny paraphernalia and magazine covers by artist Bad Bunny. There was also a Chamber of Hop Horrors that detailed the historical abuse of bunnies that had an age requirement: 13 years and older.
FAMOUS CREDITS: It is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, and has been featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the Smithsonian Magazine and an episode of “Visiting…With Huell Howser.”