Amid the devastation of this week’s wildfires in Los Angeles, several historic Hollywood landmarks — beloved filming locations for classic movies and hit TV shows — have been reduced to rubble.
One of the most notable losses is the famous 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in Altadena, featured prominently in the Max comedy series “Hacks.”
The estate, which served as the luxurious “side residence” of Jean Smart’s character Deborah Vance, is said to have been destroyed by the raging Eaton fire.
It is said that only the facade of the former house remains, eyewitness accounts tell Deadline.
Due to ongoing evacuation orders, the extent of the damage has not been independently verified.
“It’s devastating because there’s so much history up there,” senior assistant location manager Scott Kradolfer told the media.
The mansion, known for its distinctive pink look, had become a recurring backdrop for the series, appearing in two to three episodes each season.
Consisting of five bedrooms and six bathrooms, the property, now left in its charred remains, occupied over 7,100 square feet. It was last purchased in 2000 for $1.5 million, records show.
Production designer Alec Contestabile found the estate to be a creative pivot as the original filming location – the Pink Princess Mansion Estate – was no longer available. Location manager Kyle Sucher proposed the Altadena property, which quickly became a staple on the show.
“We had already shot at the beginning of the season; was one of the first places for season 4,” Kradolfer told Deadline. “Thankfully, we were able to go early in the season, but it was up in the air whether or not we’d see Deborah Vance’s character under that roof again.”
The destruction extends beyond Hacks.
The historic Crank House, made famous by movies like “Matilda,” “Scream 2” and “Catch Me If You Can,” is under serious threat. The same goes for the house featured on “Step Brothers” and the stately mansions of Rubio Street, which have hosted productions from “Risky Business” to “This Is Us.”
Pictures circulating online show flames consuming the McNally House, another high-rise residence featured on HBO’s “Entourage” and many other projects.
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire claimed actor Will Rogers’ historic ranch home, adding to the long list of cultural casualties.
For Kradolfer, the loss feels deeply personal.
Over the years, he and the Hacks team developed close ties to the neighborhood, often working inside the homes of local residents. When the fires broke out, Kradolfer contacted six families who lived on the same block.
“Three of them have confirmed that they’ve lost their homes,” he said, with actor John C. Reilly said to be among those affected.
Reflecting on the destruction, Kradolfer recalled the residence’s polarizing yet iconic design.
“The most unique feature – whether you love it or hate it – was the color. The architecture was that pink Spanish colonial revival kind of thing. Some people would think it was an eyesore, but I thought it had natural beauty. And a very, very great story.”
This story dates back more than a century. The estate first appeared on film in Max Linder’s 1921 film Seven Years Bad Luck and has since been a sought-after location for TV series such as Knots Landing.
“Ratched” and most recently “Palm Royale”.
Even a popular Target ad once featured her charming backyard.
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Image Source : nypost.com