Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Charlie Chaplin Studio
Photographed By Craig Baker, December 18, 2020
1. Charlie Chaplin Studio Marker
Historic Charlie Chaplin Studio. Built 1917. Declared 1969, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 58, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles.
Erected 1969 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 58.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.
Location. 34° 5.804′ N, 118° 20.638′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. Marker is on La Brea Avenue south of Sunset Boulevard, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1416 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles CA 90028, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hollywood Professional Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Historic Library and Alumni Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hollywood Reporter (approx. 0.3 miles away); Award of Excellence KTLA-TV (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hollywood High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Johnny Grant Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
this page online
Regarding Charlie Chaplin Studio. The buildings facing La Brea Avenue were designed as English cottage-style buildings. When the street was widened in 1928, the buildings were moved back 15 feet. In 1942, the northern part of the property extending to Sunset Blvd was sold and became a shopping center. Many of Chaplin's classic films were shot here, including The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940), and Limelight (1952).
After Chaplin sold the studio in 1953, it served for a time as the Red Skelton Studios. This is where the Adventures of Superman and Perry Mason television series were filmed. In 1966, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss purchased the studio to serve as A&M Records studios. It was purchased by Jim Henson’s children in 2000 to become the home of The Muppets.
The film and music recording studios are still used today. In 1985, the hit single and video "We Are the World" was recorded by a cast that included Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Kenny Rogers, Stevie Wonder, and Bruce Springsteen. Others who
Photographed By Craig Baker, December 18, 2020
2. Charlie Chaplin Studio Marker
The door is painted to look like it’s open, with Charlie Chaplin dressed as The Little Tramp looking out.
Charlie Chaplin’s footprints and signature in concrete can still be seen inside the property, but it is not open to the public except during special events.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - End of an Era, the “Modern Times” final scene.
Also see . . . Los Angeles Historic Resources Inventory Resource Report for Historic Cultural Monument No. 58. Excerpts:
The property meets the criteria for HCM designation because it is identified with “an historic personage,” as the personal studio of acclaimed silent film actor Charlie Chaplin. The studio was built behind Chaplins residence . Many of his classic film comedies such as "The Gold Rush" and "The Kid" were filmed there. It functioned as his studio until he sold it in 1953.(Submitted on October 6, 2023.)
The property [also] meets the criteria for HCM designation because it reflects the “broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, state, or community.” It was one of the first complete motion picture studios in Hollywood. Although Chaplin sold the property in 1953, and it has changed hands many times since, it is one of the few studios where the entertainment industry's production element has continued unbroken.
Photographed By Craig Baker, December 18, 2020
3. Charlie Chaplin Studio Marker
The marker is at the front gate of what is now The Jim Henson Company, home of The Muppets, with a statue of Kermit the Frog dressed as Chaplin’s The Little Tramp.
Additional keywords. Jim Henson, A&M Records, Hollywood
Photographed By Craig Baker, December 18, 2020
4. Charlie Chaplin Studio
Photographed By Craig Baker
5. Original Marker, from 1969 to 1999
“A & M Records - Original Charlie Chaplin motion picture studio - Hollywood 1919”
Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 90 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week October 8, 2023. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 19, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on October 6, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
