Los Angeles Film and TV Landmarks Affected by Wildfires
A range of iconic locations, from the high school where Brian De Palma adapted Stephen King’s “Carrie” to Will Rogers’ ranch house and a motel once owned by William Randolph Hearst, have suffered significant damage or destruction due to the wildfires raging through California.
Los Angeles boasts numerous landmarks, having played a pivotal role in over a century of cinematic history. Certain renowned sites—such as the Hollywood Bowl, TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Dolby Theatre, the venue for the Oscars—initially appeared at risk during the Hollywood Hills fire but fortunately sustained minimal harm as of Thursday. Nevertheless, the fires have impacted several well-known landmarks.
Palisades Charter High School
The main campus building at Palisades Charter High School sustained “substantial damage,” though it still stands. Established in 1961, this high school, initially constructed for about $6 million, currently accommodates around 3,000 students across the Los Angeles region, despite being out of session this week.
FAMOUS CREDITS: De Palma’s 1976 film adaptation of “Carrie,” with Sissy Spacek portraying the bullied teen, is perhaps Pali High’s most notable claim to fame. The school also featured in the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, the Kirsten Dunst film “Crazy/Beautiful,” Anne Hathaway’s “Havoc,” the series “Teen Wolf,” “American Vandal,” and Olivia Rodrigo’s music video for “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
Completely destroyed in the Palisades Fire, Will Rogers’ Ranch House was a significant structure dating back to the 1920s. This sprawling estate, perched on 186 acres in the Pacific Palisades area with views of the Pacific Ocean, featured 31 rooms, corrals, stables, a riding ring, a roping arena, a polo field, a golf course, and numerous hiking paths. It was the retreat of the famed actor and radio personality, who would ride horses and practice roping here until his untimely death in 1935. His widow, Betty Rogers, donated the property to the state in 1944, where it became a historic state park.
FAMOUS CREDITS: The state park appeared in the 1975 Barbra Streisand sequel “Funny Lady.”
Topanga Ranch Motel
The Palisades Fire also claimed the Topanga Ranch Motel, a charming 30-room bungalow-style accommodation established by William Randolph Hearst in 1929. Although the property had been vacant and falling into disrepair for nearly two decades, restoration plans were underway for a potential reopening.
FAMOUS CREDITS: The motel was featured in the 1970s television series “Mannix,” an episode of “Remington Steele,” the 1986 film “Blue City” starring Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy, and the 1991 Bridget Fonda movie “Leather Jackets.”
Reel Inn Malibu
This beloved seafood shack, located along the Pacific Coast Highway and across from Topanga Beach State Park, opened in 1986 and was reduced to ashes in the blaze. The owners expressed uncertainty about the future of this cherished venue in an Instagram post, stating, “We hope the state parks will allow us to rebuild when things settle down,” according to Teddy and Andy Leonard.
FAMOUS CREDITS: Reel Inn Malibu has been showcased on shows like “Man vs. Food” and “The Chew,” attracting celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton, and Jerry Seinfeld, all of whom enjoyed its fried seafood offerings. It also made a brief appearance in the series “24.”
Bunny Museum
A unique Los Angeles-area attraction, The Bunny Museum, located in Altadena and celebrating all things related to rabbits, was unfortunately destroyed. The museum housed a diverse array of bunny-themed memorabilia, including Trix boxes, Nesquik bottles, Bugs Bunny collectibles, and magazine covers featuring performer Bad Bunny. It also contained a Chamber of Hop Horrors, which detailed the historical mistreatment of rabbits and was restricted to visitors aged 13 and older.
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FAMOUS CREDITS: The Bunny Museum has been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records and featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, Smithsonian Magazine, and a segment on “Visiting…With Huell Howser.”
Charred bunny sculptures sit on a shelf amid debris inside the destroyed Bunny Museum, in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2025. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo
A charred bunny sculpture sits amidst debris at the destroyed Bunny Museum, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
A firefighter looks at charred remains outside the destroyed Bunny Museum, in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2025. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo
‘Hacks’ Mansion
The Spanish Colonial Revival mansion featured in the HBO series “Hacks,” built in 1915 and located in Altadena, has succumbed to the Eaton fire. Only the facade remains, as reported by Deadline.
FAMOUS CREDITS: This mansion served as the “side mansion” for Jean Smart’s character in “Hacks,” and it is expected to appear in the fourth season.
The Andrew McNally House
Another loss in the Eaton Fire includes the elegant Queen Anne-style mansion in Altadena, constructed in 1887 for map-maker Andrew McNally. Designed by Frederick L. Roehrig, the home featured nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, seven fireplaces, a prominent bell-shaped turret with views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and an inviting wrap-around porch. It was characterized by exquisite handcrafted woodwork, stained glass windows, and an opulent Turkish Room with Moorish decor. The estate also included an aviary and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
FAMOUS CREDITS: The house appeared in the 2001 film “Kingdom Come,” starring Whoopi Goldberg and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Andrew McNally House, built in 1887 by the co-founder of the Rand McNally publishing company, is pictured after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2025. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo
By Lindsey Bahr
