Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Chinese Theatre

The Most Famous Movie House in the World

— 6925 Hollywood Blvd —

Chinese Theatre Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024

1. Chinese Theatre Marker

Inscription.
The most famous movie house in the world, built by acclaimed showman Sid Grauman. Actress Anna Mae Wong drove the first rivet in the steel girders when construction began in 1925, and the theatre opened with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings on May 18, 1927. With its magnificent carved ceiling, muraled walls, plush carpeting, and ornate columns, the Exotic Revival-styled structure awed spectators. Superstars Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Norma Talmadge were the first to place their hand and footprints in the forecourt.

Erected 2024 by Hollywood Historic Trust - Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 3.)

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 1925.

Location. 34° 6.096′ N, 118° 20.452′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. It is on Hollywood Boulevard just west of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker: Dedicated to the Mrs. Minivers (a few steps from this marker); Chinese Heaven Dogs (within shouting distance of this marker); Hollywood Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); Los Angeles Dodgers (within shouting distance of this marker); The Masonic Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (about 300 feet away); El Capitan Theatre (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The El Capitan Theatre (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This marker is part of a series of 47 Hollywood Historic Site markers along a three-mile walking tour of historic Hollywood, beginning eastbound on the north side of Hollywood Blvd and ending westbound on the south side of Hollywood Blvd at Sycamore Ave.
The Hollywood Historic Site signs were originally installed circa 1999. They were updated and replaced in August 2024.

Regarding Chinese Theatre. The Chinese Theatre is Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 18, 2024

2. Chinese Theatre Marker

55, designated in 1968.

Original marker text:
The most famous movie house in the world, built by Sid Grauman. Actress Anna May Wong drove the first rivet in the steel girders when construction began in 1925. Opened with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's “King of Kings” on May 18, 1927. Its magnificent
carved ceiling, muraled walls, plush carpeting and ornate columns awed spectators. Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Norma Talmadge were the first to place their hand and foot prints in the forecourt.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Hollywood Historic Site markers, walking tour with map.

Also see . . .
1. Hollywood Historic Sign Poles. The Hollywood Historic Trust’s Sign Pole Program features 47 historical markers throughout Hollywood. (Submitted on June 17, 2026.)

2. Angels Walk L.A. Self-guided walking tour of historic Hollywood. (Submitted on February 15, 2026.)

Original Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 2, 2021

3. Original Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 2, 2021

4. Chinese Theatre Marker

The marker is on the light pole.

Chinese Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 2, 2021

5. Chinese Theatre

Douglas Fairbanks hand and foot prints image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 29, 2021

6. Douglas Fairbanks hand and foot prints

Mary Pickford hand and foot prints image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 29, 2021

7. Mary Pickford hand and foot prints

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 4, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on October 4, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.