The Griffith Observatory celebrates 90 years on Wednesday, and as one of L.A.'s most recognizable landmarks, the Art Deco structure deserves its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
With over 170 TV and movie productions under its belt, the observatory is more than a place to see constellations and planets.
"La La Land has a really romantic scene where Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling defy gravity in the planetarium," movie expert Scott Manson told KNX News' Karen Adams, referencing the observatory's prominent role in the 2017 Oscar-winning film.
"Director Damien Chazelle paid tribute to the movie that is probably synonymous with the observatory, which is actually 1955's Rebel Without a Cause," Mason said, adding that the classic movie staring James Dean and Natalie Wood is "absolutely the most famous movie or show ever shot at the observatory."
Over the years, the observatory has been home to many great scenes and movies, such as Terminator, Transformers, NCIS: LA, and many more. But how did it become such an iconic L.A. treasure?
"The Griffith Observatory is part of Hollywood because it's right next to the Hollywood sign," Mason said, adding the observatory has the best views of L.A. from every single direction. "You can go and see everything from Griffith Observatory and the observatory from every place in L.A. It's one of L.A.'s most visible landmarks."
He likened the observatory to the North Star, saying, "If you want to know where you are in L.A., just look for the observatory. If you're lost, you can find your way around by finding the Hollywood sign in the observatory."
The observatory was a gift from its namesake, Griffith J. Griffith, to the people of Los Angeles during the Great Depression. Despite the economic circumstances, the era's lower material costs allowed for high-quality interior finishes, contributing to the building's lasting beauty and durability.
Griffith's vision was to make astronomy accessible to everyone. He specified that the observatory should include a public telescope, a Hall of Science, and a theater.
When it opened in 1935, it was one of the first cornerstones in the United States dedicated to public science and has since grown to be the most visited public observatory on the planet.
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