Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
Griffith Observatory at 80: Watch its most famous movie appearances
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
May 14, 2015
Listen • 7:58
Griffith Observatory at 80: Watch its most famous movie appearances
It opened in 1935 as the brainchild of Griffith J. Griffith, and became a hotspot for astronomy as well as a backdrop, itself, on film and TV.
The Griffith Observatory from Mt. Hollywood, with downtown Los Angeles in the background. According to GoogleEarth, the Observatory is .6 miles away, downtown is 5.6 miles away.
()

It opened in 1935 as the brainchild of Griffith J. Griffith, and became a hotspot for astronomy as well as a backdrop, itself, on film and TV.

Many people come to Los Angeles to become a star. But want to look up at the stars? Then perched high atop Griffith Park sits the Griffith Observatory.

It opened 80 years ago in 1935 as the brainchild of philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith.

In addition to its extensive astronomy programming, the Observatory has been a backdrop itself on film and TV.

One of its most iconic appearances was in "Rebel Without a Cause," as the location where James Dean's Jim clashes with rival Buzz.

Scott Bakula's Sam Beckett couldn't help being starstruck, himself, when he paid it a visit in an episode of "Quantum Leap."

Griffith Observatory is also where Arnold Schwartzenegger time-traveled ... and showed off what bodybuilding can do for you ... in "The Terminator."

E.C. Krupp, executive director of Griffith Observatory, explains the history and secrets of the building that's become an iconic L.A. landmark.