Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Established in 1935 atop Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory boasts a distinctive Art Deco design funded by Griffith Jenkins Griffith’s vision of a public park and free observatory.
Characterized by Beaux-Arts/Art Deco elements such as concrete exteriors, copper domes, marble floors, and intricate metalwork, the observatory is a cultural icon.
Founded through Griffith’s posthumous bequest, the observatory was realized with contributions from astrophysicist George Ellery Hale and architects John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley.
Despite the Great Depression, construction began in June 1933 with the collaboration of Cal Tech scientists, Mount Wilson engineers, sculptors, and builders, culminating in its opening on May 14, 1935.
Over its 90-year history, the Griffith Observatory has evolved into a leading public observatory with the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theatre, offering extensive educational programs and exhibits.
Featured in over 170 films and TV shows since 1935, including “Rebel Without a Cause,” “The Terminator,” and “La La Land,” the observatory has become a beloved backdrop in Hollywood.
Renowned for its role in science fiction, the Griffith Observatory has appeared in classics like “Back to the Future II,” “Transformers,” and more recently, “Moonfall,” maintaining its allure in entertainment.
Beyond films, the observatory has been a setting for TV series ranging from “Star Trek: Voyager” to “NCIS: Los Angeles,” reflecting its enduring cultural relevance.
Today, the Griffith Observatory remains a beacon of scientific curiosity and cinematic history, bridging the worlds of astronomy and entertainment in the heart of Los Angeles.