Historic Filming Locations Lost in Southern California Wildfires

ALTADENA, Calif. — The historic Andrew McNally House, a Queen Anne-style mansion built in 1887 and featured in HBO‘s “Entourage,” was among the iconic filming locations destroyed in recent wildfires that ravaged Southern California. The fires, which swept through Altadena and Pacific Palisades, have left the entertainment industry grappling with the loss of beloved backdrops and the communities that hosted them.

“There was so much texture,” said Lori Balton, a Venice-based location scout who frequently used the McNally House for productions. “You did not feel like you were in L.A. Such a great location to have. It just breaks my heart.” The mansion, known for its intricate wood paneling and diamond-shaped glass panes, was a favorite for filmmakers seeking a unique aesthetic.

The fires have not only disrupted lives and livelihoods but also dealt a blow to Hollywood’s production ecosystem. From October to December 2024, Hollywood production had increased by 6.2% compared to the previous year, according to FilmLA. However, the destruction of key locations threatens to stall this momentum. “There is no question that the fires’ impact extends to the business of film production and the livelihoods it sustains,” said Philip Sokoloski, a spokesperson for FilmLA.

Ed Lippman, a Sherman Oaks-based location manager, recalled scouting numerous homes in the affected areas. “I wasn’t even thinking about film or location sets at that point,” he said. “I was thinking about the people, the magnitude of people I had personal interactions with … suddenly, their houses were gone. It was kind of overwhelming.”

In response, location scouts and managers are compiling a database of addresses and photos of homes in the fire zones to assist homeowners with insurance claims. Balton has already added 50 homes to the list from her records. “The film industry supports them any and every way we can,” she said. “We can’t film on location without their homes and their communities.”

Pacific Palisades, known for its coastal views and sprawling mansions, has been a frequent filming spot for productions seeking East Coast aesthetics. The area’s Zorthian Ranch, a quirky property with eclectic art and llamas, was also destroyed. The ranch had been featured in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” and Lindsay Lohan’s “The Parent Trap.”

Altadena, another fire-ravaged community, was prized for its older homes that doubled as East Coast and international locales. The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroying entire neighborhoods. “Each house had been there so long that it had its own personality,” Balton said. “We look for locations that are really adding another character to a movie.”

As the region begins to rebuild, the entertainment industry faces a hard reality: some lost jobs and locations may never return. “Hope we go on,” Balton said. “You can rebuild homes, but boy, how long it takes to rebuild a community.”