Year: 2008

Owen Wilson’s Former House

In honor of Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson’s rekindled romance (pictures of the two frolicking in Miami surfaced on the pages of US Magazine this week), I decided to stalk Owen’s Santa Monica abode. Several months back, I had read an article on TMZ which chronicled Owen’s suicide attempt and listed his home’s general location as the 900 block of 23rd Street. A different article published at the same time described his home as “gated”. So, this past Saturday, armed with those two clues, I set out to find his house.

Success came rather easily, being that there is only one gated home located on the entire 900 block of 23rd Street. 🙂 I am continually shocked by the normalcy of so many celebrity homes, and Owen’s was no different. While large and beautiful, his home was in a very normal Santa Monica neighborhood and I would never guess a movie star lived behind the tall hedges.

Owen lives in an adorable white clapboard residence and, although much of the house is blocked by tall palm trees and other foliage, you can catch a good view of the side of it by walking along 23rd Street. You can see the back of the house by driving down the alleyway in between 23rd and 24th Streets.

Update: Just got a comment from JJ saying that Owen moved out of this house and into a new Malibu house. Did a little research and apparently JJ is correct. Looks like I have a new location to stalk!! 🙂 From what I can find online it seems Owen still owns this Santa Monica house.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: Owen Wilson lives at 947 23rd Street in Santa Monica, in between Idaho Avenue and Washington Avenue. After stalking Owen, you can visit Courteney Cox’s former home, which is located in the same neighborhood at 606 Alta Drive.

March 12, 2008
Charlie’s Angels

Although I am not a big fan of Charlie’s Angels 2: Full Throttle – it was just a bit too over the top for me! – when I found the address of Cameron Diaz’s house from the movie on my fave stalking website – and since I just happened to be in the neighborhood this weekend – I just had to stalk it!

In Charlie’s Angels 2, Cameron Diaz’s character, Natalie, moves into a new beachfront home with her boyfriend, Pete. That house is located in Hermosa Beach and it is absolutely adorable!! The home was actually built in 1905, as stated on a plaque located on the front of the house. It’s not very hard to see why the producers chose to use this house for filming – it is extremely charming and cute, much like Cameron’s character in the movie. I highly recommend stalking it, even if you are not a Full Throttle fan!

Stalk It: Natalie’s house is located at 2028 The Strand in Hermosa Beach. You can park on Hermosa Avenue and hit up the shops (and Starbucks!) before making your way down Pier Avenue towards The Strand – a walkway that runs along the beach. The house is located near where The Strand meets 20th Street.

March 11, 2008
Weekend in "the O.C.!"

First, I must apologize for being so remiss in my blogging last week – my best friend in the world was visiting me from Switzerland and, while we did do a little stalking during his visit, I didn’t have time to write many posts. When my friend left to return to Switzerland on Saturday morning, I was completely bummed out, so my boyfriend told me to pack a bag and we took a spontaneous little road trip with no planned destination. Well, the stalking gods were definitely looking out for me because destiny led us right to the Marriott-Manhattan Beach Hotel, which just happened to be a filming location from the first season of The O.C.! Let me tell you, that cheered me right up! 🙂

After checking into the hotel, I immediately logged onto the ultimate O.C. stalking guide, Seeing Stars, to see if any scenes had been filmed in the area. I almost fell off the bed when I realized The O.C. was filmed in the very hotel I was staying in! The Marriot-Manhattan Beach was used in the fourth episode of the very first season for the cotillion rehearsal scenes. The scenes were filmed in the Manhattan Ballroom located just off the lobby. Additional scenes were also filmed in the area just outside the ballroom, to the left of the lobby bar.

But the stalking didn’t end there! Almost directly next door to the Marriott is Raleigh’s Manhattan Beach Studios, the very studio where The O.C. was filmed. The studio looks more like an office building complex than a movie studio, but many famous productions have been filmed there, including Ally McBeal, CSI:Miami, and Medium. Ironically enough, though, the studio appears to be leasing out office space to non-industry people. How cool to have your offices located right on a movie lot! I am going to have to talk to my boss about that! 🙂

Stalk It: The Marriott-Manhattan Beach is located at 1400 Park View Avenue. If you decide to stay there, make sure to ask for the AAA rate – we got a great deal!! Raleigh’s Manhattan Beach Studios is located at 1600 Rosecrans Avenue. The main gate can be found on a side street called Redondo Avenue. Unfortunately, at this time, the studio does not offer tours. 🙁

March 10, 2008
Dancing in the Friends’ Fountain!

I’ve done some pretty cool things in my life, but I must say that one of my favorite and most memorable adventures was dancing in the fountain that was used in the opening credits of Friends! Back in 2002, I attended a seminar put on by my acting school that just happened to be held on the Warner Brothers Ranch Lot. When I found out the seminar was going to be held at the Ranch I swear I almost died! I had heard sometime before that the Friends fountain was located somewhere on the Ranch and I had been trying to figure out a way to get onto the lot to see it in person. Thank you acting school!

When I drove onto the lot early the morning of the seminar, I actually went right past the famous fountain without even realizing it. Walking to the class, my eyes were one hundred percent peeled, looking in all directions for the fountain, but I couldn’t seem to find it. During class, I happened to mention to a friend that I was dying to see the fountain, but had no idea where it was, and she said “You drove right past it when you drove onto the lot!” LOL During our lunch break she led me out to the location of the fountain and we snapped a couple of pics sitting on it and dancing inside of it. Sadly, the pic of me dancing did not come out! 🙁 But we did get to eat lunch on the lawn right in front of the fountain, and I was pinching myself the whole time!

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: The Warner Brothers Ranch Lot is located at 411 North Hollywood Way in Burbank. While there are, sadly, no public tours offered of the Ranch, the fountain is completely visible through the front gates to the left of the guard shack. If you walk down Hollywood Way you can peek through the main gates and snap a quick pic. 🙂

March 9, 2008
Phil Hartman’s Former House

While in Encino stalking Scott Baio this weekend, I happened to check in my fave Hollywood Tour Book for other stalking locations in the area. That is one of the reasons I always keep my tour book in my car – you never know when you might need it! It’s like an Amex card – I don’t leave home without it! I also just got a new car with a built-in GPS system and I must say, it is the best thing that ever happened to this stalker! I used to rely on my blackberry to get me from location to location while out and about stalking – but the GPS is a million times better! It even talks to me! I highly recommend getting one for all of your stalking endeavors!

Anyway, one of the nearby Encino locations was, sad to say, Phil Hartman’s former home. This is the home he was murdered in by his wife Brynn on May 28, 1998. I can hardly believe it’s been almost ten years already. I have always been a big fan of Phil Hartman’s, especially after seeing Houseguest – one of my all time favorite movies – so I had to stalk the house.

His home wasn’t at all what I was expecting – it is a normal looking house that is very close to the road with an open wrought-iron fence that you can see right through. I was surprised that Phil, at the height of his News Radio fame, would live in such a normal home. Maybe I really shouldn’t be surprised as he did always seem like such a normal, down to earth guy. There are some very odd topiaries and garden sculptures all over the front yard – but I am guessing the new owners put them there to detract from bad memories.

If you are looking for a happier location to stalk, I would recommend stalking the Groundlings, Phil Hartman’s former improv school. The black box theatre located inside the Groundlings was named in Phil’s honor after his death. Lisa Kurdow, Kathy Griffin, PeeWee Herman, and Jennifer Coolidge are all Groundlings alums.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: Phil Hartman’s former home is located at 5065 Encino Ave. in Encino. You can also visit the Phil Hartman Theatre at the Groundlings, which is located at 7307 Melrose Avenue, in Los Angeles. I would definitely recommend catching a Groundlings show if you can – they are HILARIOUS! My fave show is the Crazy Uncle Joe long-form improv show on Wednesday nights at 8pm.

March 5, 2008
The “Brady Bunch” House

Ever since I saw the “Silver Platters” episode of The Brady Bunch about 25 years ago and watched Marcia, Greg and the gang do their “Keep On Groovin’” dance, I was absolutely hooked on the show! I still find myself getting sucked into episodes every now and then if I happen to catch them on TBS. So when I first moved to LA, I ran right out and stalked The Brady Bunch house in Studio City. This was long before my boyfriend was around, so I dragged my poor mom (not at all a Brady fan) to this location.

The house still looks straight out of 1960 and I half expected to see Alice waving from the doorway when I drove up! The only real differences between the Studio City house and the house seen in TV Land are a fence that has been built around the perimiter and the obvious lack of a second story window. The fence, according to my fave Hollywood tour book, was built to change the appearance of the home and deter stalkers. Even 35 plus years later fans and tour buses still stalk the house daily! The missing second story window never actually existed on the real house – it was installed by producers to make the split level home appear to have two stories. Apparently, location scouts chose to use the Studio City house long after the sets – which depicted a two story home – had already been built. The producers propped up a fake window on the real house and, voila! – The Brady Bunch house was born. Major Brady fans might be interested in this article which tells the complete history of the home.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: The Brady house is located at 11222 Dilling Street in Studio City. Just a couple of blocks away, at 11604 Dilling, is the former home of Robert Blake. This is the home he lived in with Bonnie Lee Bakley. The restaurant the two dined at the night of her murder, Vitello’s, is also in the same neighborhood, at 4349 Tujunga. And, if you haven’t yet, I really must recommend reading Growing Up Brady: I Was a Teenage Greg – it is FABULOUS! : )

March 4, 2008
Scott Baio is 46 . . . and Stalked!

All this stalking must be rubbing off on my boyfriend, because he called me Tuesday night, all excited, saying, “I found a street sign and an address in the background of Scott Baio is 46 . . . and Pregnant – we can go stalk his house this weekend!” LOL I think my boyfriend is definitely a keeper! 🙂 It looks as if he’s still got a few tricks to learn, though, ’cause after doing a bit of research I found an article suggesting that the Baios don’t really live in the McMansion on Strawberry Drive shown on the reality show, but are instead still living at Scott’s bachelor pad, which was featured in Scott Baio is 45 . . . and Single. Something on a reality TV show is fake?!?! NO – I just don’t believe it!

Fake or not fake, of course I rushed right out to stalk both houses this weekend! First I hit up Scott’s bachelor pad – I found the address on this website, which might just be a new favorite! 🙂 The house on Royal Oak Road definitely looks occupied, and I am pretty sure the Baio’s are still calling it home. The house is very stalker friendly, you can see almost all of it from the road and you will definitely recognize the 70’s style home from Scott’s reality show.

The house from Scott Baio is 46 . . . and Pregnant is a stark contrast to his bachelor pad. It is absolutely gargantuan and a total eyesore! And Real Estalker was indeed correct – the house is currently vacant and up for sale. I really don’t think the Baios ever lived in it, I think it was pretty much just used as a set for the show. You can view the house’s inside hideousness on it’s real estate website here. I am actually surprised they are not marketing it as the house from Scott Baio is 46 . . . and Pregnant. It would be the house’s only selling point – at least from my point of view. 🙂

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: Scott Baio’s “fake” house is located at 17100 W. Strawberrry Drive in Encino. His bachelor pad is also in Encino, just a couple of miles away, at 15901 Royal Oak Road. He lives in a really beautiful neighborhood with some gorgeous homes. I definitely recommend driving around the neighborhood, if you have the time.

March 3, 2008
The Huxtable’s House

I must be in a New York state of mind this week, because here I am yet again with another NYC filming location. 🙂 One of my very favorite blocks in all of Manhattan is called Saint Luke’s Place and it just happens to be the location of a famous brownstone from TV – the Huxtable Family’s house from The Cosby Show. St. Luke’s Place consists of a one block section of Leroy Street in Greenwich Village that runs between Hudson Street and 7th Ave. Most of the gorgeous row houses on the block were built in 1852.

I found this location in my go-to New York stalking book, which describes picturesque St. Luke’s Place as one of the most photographed blocks in Manhattan. Once you visit St. Luke’s for yourself, you’ll understand why! It is gorgeous, quaint, and evokes memories of old New York. Even the antique mayoral lampposts flanking the former home of New York Mayor Jimmy Walker are still in use. St. Luke’s Place has been used as a filming location for countless photo shoots, television commercials, TV shows and movies. Many famous celebrities and artists have also called St. Luke’s their home at one time or another.

Sculptor and painter Theodore Roszak lived at 1 St. Luke’s Place, number 4 was used as Audrey Hepburn’s home in Wait Until Dark, and Mayor Jimmy Walker lived at number 6 until 1932, when he was forced to resign his position due to corruption and scandal within his administration. He eventually fled to Europe. Winesburg, Ohio author Sherwood Anderson lived at number 12, Poet Marianne Moore resided at number 14, and An American Tragedy author Theodore Drieser called number 16 home. For a short time, Will Smith lived at 13 Leroy St., just past where St. Luke’s Place ends.

Across the street from the row houses on St. Luke’s Place, you will find Walker Park, a small park frequented by Edgar Allen Poe in the 1830’s. It was also used as a filming location in the movie Raging Bull.

I highly recommend taking a stroll down St. Luke’s Place while in New York, even if you are not a stalker. The architecture and history should be compelling to stalkers and non-stalkers alike!

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: St. Luke’s Place is a block-long section of Leroy St. in Greenwich Village. It is bordered by Hudson Street to the north and 7th Avenue/Bedford Street to the south. The Huxtable’s brownstone can be found at 10 St. Luke’s Place.

March 1, 2008
The Lethal Weapon 2 House

Since I am constantly dragging my boyfriend on my stalking adventures every single weekend, I decided to finally stalk a place he would enjoy – the house on stilts from Lethal Weapon 2. This is the same house that Mel Gibson attaches to his pick-up truck via cables, drives away, and pulls right down the hill. In real life, the producers built a replica house on a studio lot for Mel to pull down and the real house is still standing on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills.

The Lethal Weapon 2 house was designed by John Lautner – the famous architect who also designed Courtney Cox’s House.

Stalk It: The Garcia House is located at 7436 Mulholland Drive in Hollywood Hills West. If would like to spend the night in a John Lautner home, the Elrod/Lautner home in Palm Springs – which was immortalized in the James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever – is available for rentals. You can learn more about it here.

February 28, 2008
The Poise Magazine Office from “13 Going On 30”

First, let me just say how happy I am that Britney apparently survived Starbucks three hour closure today! It’s truly a minor miracle!!

Anyway, on with the post . . .

This past December while on vacation in New York, I happened to walk by a building that I immediately recognized as the “Poise” offices from 13 Going On 30. I am not sure if it was the gold-framed revolving door that gave it away, or just the fact that I have seen 13 Going On 30 way too many times, but nevertheless I knew the building was used as Jenna Rink’s office the moment I spotted it. The “Poise” office building was actually built in 1931 and used to house Newsweek Magazine. It is now home to New York Magazine.

The store where Jenna shops in the movie and forgets her credit card is Henri Bendel and it is located just a few blocks away at 712 Fifth Avenue.

Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂

Stalk It: The “Poise” offices are located at 444 Madison Avenue in New York City, between 49th and 50th Streets. Just a half a block down from the office building is the New York Palace Hotel, where much of the TV show Gossip Girl is filmed. On the show, Serena lives at the Palace with her parents and often hangs out in the Gilt bar, which can be found just off the hotel’s courtyard.

February 26, 2008