Among the devastation this week during the Los Angeles wildfires, several historic Hollywood landmarks — beloved filming locations for classic films and hit TV shows — have been reduced to rubble.
One of the most notable losses is the famed 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in Altadena, prominently featured in the award-winning Max comedy series “Hacks.”
The estate, which served as the lavish “side mansion” of Jean Smart’s character Deborah Vance, has reportedly been gutted by the raging Eaton Fire.
Only the facade of the once-grand home is said to remain, eyewitness accounts tell Deadline.
Due to ongoing evacuation orders, the extent of the damage has not been independently verified.
“It’s devastating, because there’s a lot of history up there,” key assistant locations manager Scott Kradolfer told the outlet.
The mansion, recognized for its distinct pink exterior, had become a recurring backdrop for the series, appearing in two to three episodes each season.
Made up of five bedrooms and six bathrooms, the property, now left with its charred remains, had occupied over 7,100 square feet. It was last purchased in 2000 for $1.5 million, records show.
Production Designer Alec Contestabile revealed that the estate was a creative pivot after the original filming site — the “Pink Princess Mansion Estate” — was no longer available. Location manager Kyle Sucher proposed the Altadena property, which quickly became a staple in the show.
“We had shot already earlier in the season; it was one of the first locations for Season 4,” Kradolfer told Deadline. “Thankfully, we were able to go at the start of the season, but it was left up in the air whether or not we would see the character of Deborah Vance under that roof again.”
The destruction extends beyond “Hacks.”
The historic Crank House, recognizable from films like “Matilda,” “Scream 2,” and “Catch Me If You Can,” is under severe threat. The same goes for the house featured in “Step Brothers” and the stately Rubio Street mansions, which have hosted productions from “Risky Business” to “This Is Us.”
Photos circulating online show flames consuming the McNally House, another storied residence featured in HBO’s “Entourage” and numerous other projects.
Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire claimed the historic ranch home of actor Will Rogers, adding to the long list of cultural casualties.
For Kradolfer, the loss feels deeply personal.
Over the years, he and the “Hacks” crew formed close bonds with the neighborhood, frequently working inside the homes of local residents. When the fires erupted, Kradolfer contacted six families living on the same block.
“Three of them have confirmed that they have lost their homes,” he said, with actor John C. Reilly reportedly among those affected.
Reflecting on the destruction, Kradolfer recalled the mansion’s polarizing yet iconic design.
“The most unique feature — whether you love it or hate it — was the color. The architecture was that kind of pink Spanish Colonial Revival. Some people would think it was an eyesore, but I thought it had natural beauty to it. And a lot of, a lot of great history.”
That history dates back over a century. The estate first appeared on film in Max Linder’s 1921 movie “Seven Years Bad Luck” and has since been a sought-after location for TV series like “Knots Landing,”
“Ratched” and most recently, “Palm Royale.”
Even a popular Target commercial once showcased its charming backyard.
