Buzz
Back in 1923, developers erected a massive billboard to promote a new Los Angeles residential project, never imagining it would evolve into one of the world's most iconic symbols. Initially planned to stand for only 18 months, the Hollywood sign now commemorates its 100th year in 2023. Over the decades, this legendary landmark has witnessed countless highs, controversies, and transformations. Here are 10 fascinating insights about Hollywood's most enduring star.
1. The Hollywood sign started as an illuminated advertisement for a real estate project.
The original sign was constructed on Mount Lee (then unnamed) in 1923 by Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, to market his luxurious housing development named “Hollywoodland.” To ensure it stood out, as noted on the sign’s official website, Chandler equipped the 43-foot-tall letters with “4000 20-watt bulbs, placed 8 inches apart.”
2. A silent film star cleared the peak of Mount Lee, home to the Hollywood sign, for a mansion he never constructed.
Among the developers involved in Chandler’s project was Mack Sennett, a silent film actor and director of the Keystone Kops, who acquired a prime piece of land on the mountain. He planned to create an extravagant estate featuring a mini golf course, a sandy beach, a swimming pool, and an open-air theater. However, after building the access road and leveling the mountaintop, Sennett’s financial troubles forced him to abandon the project.
3. Mount Lee owes its name to a former car salesman.
Don Lee, a Cadillac dealer who transitioned into radio broadcasting, ventured into television in the early 1930s. His son, Thomas Lee, purchased 20 acres of land behind the Hollywood sign in 1938. There, Thomas constructed a studio with the world’s tallest television tower at the time. Although the Don Lee Network relocated the tower to Mt. Wilson in the 1940s for better broadcasting capabilities, the mountain retains Don Lee’s name in honor of his contributions to the industry.
4. A tragic suicide occurred at the Hollywood sign involving an actress.
Reportedly devastated after her role in David O. Selznick’s Thirteen Women was reduced, Peg Entwistle tragically ended her life at the Hollywood sign on September 16, 1932. Her body was found the following day, accompanied by a note that read, “I am afraid, I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E.”
For those who believe in the supernatural, Entwistle’s spirit may still linger: Several individuals have claimed to spot a blonde woman dressed in 1930s-style clothing near the sign, only for her to disappear moments later.
5. The LAND portion was removed in 1949.
During the Great Depression, upkeep of the Hollywood sign was neglected, leaving it in a sorry state by the 1940s. The H had collapsed—rumor has it the caretaker crashed into it while driving under the influence—and the other letters were falling apart. While the L.A. Recreation and Parks Commission proposed demolishing the entire sign, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce intervened. They suggested removing the LAND and restoring the remaining letters to better represent the area.
6. The entire sign underwent a complete replacement in 1978.
By the 1970s, the Hollywood sign showed its age, having endured over 50 years of wear and tear. An O had tumbled down the hillside, a L had been destroyed by fire, and the remaining letters were crumbling. Hugh Hefner stepped in to save the day, organizing a fundraising gala where celebrities could “sponsor” the new letters. Hefner claimed the Y, Alice Cooper funded an O as a tribute to Groucho Marx, and Andy Williams backed the W. Other contributors included Gene Autry, Warner Bros. Records, and Les Kelley of Kelley Blue Book.
7. Howard Hughes once owned 138 acres of land around the sign.
Howard Hughes. | Keystone/GettyImagesIn the 1940s, Hughes acquired 138 acres surrounding the Hollywood sign, planning to build a private estate for himself and his then-girlfriend Ginger Rogers. The project was abandoned after their breakup, and the land remained unused for decades. When the Hughes estate sold it for $1.7 million in 2002, developers proposed creating five luxury homes on the site. However, the Trust for Public Land intervened, raising funds to buy the property for $12.5 million in 2010. Hugh Hefner, who had previously helped save the sign, contributed $900,000 to the effort.
8. The Hollywood sign has undergone several modifications over the decades.
In 1976, it was temporarily altered to “Hollyweed” to mark the relaxation of marijuana laws. During the Pope’s 1987 visit, it read “Holywood.” It became “Ollywood” briefly during the Oliver North Iran-Contra hearings. It has also been used to cheer on sports teams, such as “Go Navy” in 1983 and “GO UCLA” for the 1993 UCLA-USC rivalry game. It even served as a promotional tool for the movie Cool World (1992), with the animated character Holli Would perched atop the D. This last alteration, however, sparked significant disapproval.
9. Sherwin-Williams revitalized the Hollywood sign in 2013 and 2022.
In honor of the sign’s 90th anniversary in 2013, Sherwin-Williams rejuvenated each letter by stripping old paint and applying 255 gallons of “High Reflective White” exterior acrylic latex paint, along with 105 gallons of primer. For the sign’s centennial in 2022, Sherwin-Williams returned to restore its brilliance, using Extra White SW 7006, also known as Hollywood Centennial White. The project reportedly required 400 gallons of paint and primer.
10. The Hollywood sign isn’t universally adored.
Beachwood Canyon residents, located near the original Hollywoodland development site, are frustrated with tourists invading their neighborhood to access the Hollywood sign. They’ve resorted to posting unauthorized signs, painting curbs red to prevent parking, and even erected a bold “TOURISTS GO AWAY” sign. Additionally, they’ve employed tech-savvy tactics by altering GPS directions to the sign on platforms like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Bing.
