The Los Angeles landmarks from film and TV damaged by wildfires

[January 10, 2025]  By LINDSEY BAHR

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 damaged or destroyed by the California wildfires.

Los Angeles is a town full of landmarks, thanks to its co-starring role in over a century of filmed entertainment. 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 Palisades Charter High School, 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
Will Rogers’ Western 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.”

A firefighter looks at charred remains outside the destroyed Bunny Museum, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Topanga Ranch Motel
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 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
This seafood shack 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, located in Altadena and dedicated to all things bunnies, 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.”

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