THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN IS OVER 100 YEARS OLD
The iconic Hollywood Sign has stood as a symbol of the entertainment industry for over 100 years, from its humble beginnings as a temporary advertisement for a new housing development in 1923 to its current status as a beloved landmark. Over the years, the sign has become synonymous with the glamour and excitement of Hollywood, capturing the hearts and imaginations of people around the world. Today, we will delve into the fascinating history of this enduring symbol, from its construction and early years to its various preservation efforts and cultural relevance. Whether you're a lifelong Los Angeles resident or simply an admirer of the city's history, we hope you'll join us on this journey to discover more about the Hollywood Sign's 100-year timeline.
1923: The Hollywood Sign begins life as a temporary advertisement for a new housing development in the Hollywood Hills. Its construction cost $21,000, according to the Hollywood Sign Trust and was written as Hollywood Land.
1932: The icon becomes infamous after a young actress named Peg Entwistle dies by suicide there. Tragic poetry in memory, ‘The Hollywood Sign Girl’ became emblematic of the dangerous allure of the movie industry when dreams go wrong.
1944: After the sign falls into disrepair, it becomes the property of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce embarks on a campaign to repair it.
1949: The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce successfully removes the word "Land" from the sign, making it a refurbished advertisement for Hollywood itself.
1978: Once more in a state of disrepair, suffering from years of neglect and damage caused by the elements and vandals, with the top of one letter having fallen down the mountain and an arsonist having set fire to another letter, the sign was remarkably declared an official cultural landmark in the mid-1970s.
It was at this point that Hugh Hefner stepped in to save the day. He held a fundraiser for the sign at the Playboy Mansion, auctioning off letters of the sign to other celebrities to raise funds. It was a successful effort, raising $27,700 per letter. The old sign was completely scrapped and rebuilt using funds from the auction. This marked a significant turning point in the history of the Hollywood Sign, ensuring that it would remain an icon of the entertainment industry for generations to come.
1997: Actress Michelle Yeoh demonstrated her daring and athletic skills for a photoshoot at the Hollywood Sign. Hanging from a helicopter, Yeoh performed a stunning stunt for a National Geographic cover story. The iconic images from the shoot, which have been making the rounds online, highlight Yeoh's achievements as an actress and the excitement of the Hollywood Sign. The actress mentioned that she was thankful for the opportunity to perform the stunt and spoke about the cold weather during the photoshoot. It's clear that this stunt was a highlight of Yeoh's career and a testament to her willingness to take risks and push boundaries.
2013: A photographer captured a stunning image of a mountain lion named P-22, also known as the "Brad Pitt of mountain lions," stalking the hills in front of the Hollywood sign. The photo quickly went viral and brought global attention to the issue of wildlife conservation in southern California. It was a significant moment in the fight to preserve wildlife crossings, which keep animals from being killed on freeways. Unfortunately, in late 2022, P-22 was likely hit by a car, leading to his premature death. His passing sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans around the world, and several public memorial ceremonies were held to honor his legacy. It's a testament to the power of photography and the role it can play in raising awareness and inspiring people to take action to protect wildlife.
2017: Over the years, the Hollywood Sign has attracted pranksters and has been the target of many jokes. The first time the sign was altered was in 1976 to read "Holllyweed", in reference to the enactment of looser state marijuana laws. The same stunt was repeated 41 years later, in 2017. Another altered sign was "Holywood", made in honor of Pope John Paul II's visit to Los Angeles. There have been several other playful renditions of the sign, including "Ollywood" (in reference to Oliver North's testimony in the Iran-Contra scandal), "Go Navy", "Caltech", and "UCLA". In 2021, six people were arrested after changing the sign to "Hollyboob", a cheeky reference to the word "boob", which some find amusing. The Hollywood Sign Trust noted that this change reflected the impact of social media on the way people express themselves. Overall, the Hollywood Sign has become synonymous with the spirit and playfulness of the entertainment industry, bringing both humor and creativity to one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
2023: The Hollywood sign after its humble beginnings, glitz, glamour, mayhem and debauchery, turns a 100 years old in December and as January marks the first month of her next centenary, we can’t wait to see what this lord of cinema brings us next.
