Recent News
2013:
April 2013:
As part of the 90th celebration of the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Sign Trust will be featuring “Legends and Lore of the Hollywood Sign” slideshows on the home page.
March 2013:
The Hollywood Sign is proud to be in Argo, which just won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The Hollywood Sign is the hardest working actress in Hollywood appearing in over 150 movies, tv shows, video games, and music videos. If you see the Hollywood Sign in a movie, submit it here on our The Sign in the Movies page.
February 2013:
Dick Van Dyke was honored with the SAG Lifetime Achievement award. He starred in a 3D movie about the legend of the Hollywood Sign caretaker who replaced the light bulbs at the Sign when it was still lit.
January 2013:
Happy Birthday! The Hollywood Sign is celebrating her 90th birthday in 2013.
2012:
December 2012:
Extensive Makeover of the Hollywood Sign Now Complete
Sherwin-Williams Emerald™ Paint now protecting this iconic symbol
Tinseltown’s biggest star – The Hollywood Sign – has been restored to its full beauty once again thanks to a historic “face-lift” from Sherwin-Williams and The Hollywood Sign Trust. Over the nine-week refurbishment, the Sign’s nine letters had all existing coatings removed before being primed and painted with two fresh coats of Emerald Exterior Paint.
A cultural and historic landmark, the Sign is the pride of its owner, the City of Los Angeles. Sherwin-Williams and The Hollywood Sign Trust funded the project for the benefit of the City and its Department of Recreation and Parks, as well as Sign fans around the world.
“The Hollywood Sign Trust is excited that Hollywood’s leading lady received two tons of makeup in time to celebrate her 90th birthday,” said Chris Baumgart, chairman, The Hollywood Sign Trust. “We thank Sherwin-Williams for participating in this public-private partnership to restore an American icon that is recognized as a symbol of hopes and dreams around the world.”
The products used for the Sign’s most extensive refurbishment in nearly 35 years are designed to help the Sign retain its crisp white finish, especially against the elements. To ensure the makeover endures the test of time, the existing coatings were removed from each of the letters, a time-intensive process completed almost entirely by hand. Next, painters applied 105 gallons of Sherwin-Williams Pro Industrial™ Pro-Cryl® Universal Acrylic Primer – a product specially designed for surfaces where rust and corrosion resistance is critical. Lastly, they applied two coats – 255 gallons – of Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint in Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White (SW7757). Emerald Exterior Paint offers extreme resistance to blistering, peeling, chalking, fading, mold, mildew and dirt pickup.
“We are thrilled to be a partner in this historic refurbishment and honored that Sherwin-Williams innovative products were selected to restore the Sign’s beauty,” said Jay Davisson, president and general manager, Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores Group. “For 146 years, Sherwin-Williams has been protecting and beautifying America’s most prized possessions, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the White House, and many ballparks, museums and homes in between.”
Images of the refurbishment process are available upon request.
November 2012: HOLLYW is now completed on the Hollywood Sign. The Sign is on schedule for its early December completion, all thanks to Sherwin Williams.
November 2012: The HOLLY of Hollywood is now completely repainted. The project is now over half way done!
October 2012: The H and first L are now completed as the painting project continues.
October 2012:
ICONIC HOLLYWOOD SIGN GETTING A FACELIFT
Sherwin-Williams Emerald™ Exterior paint to protect landmark
THE PROJECT: The biggest star in Tinseltown – the Hollywood Sign – is getting a major makeover with Sherwin-Williams industry-leading Emerald Exterior Acrylic Latex paint. This is the most extensive refurbishing effort of its kind in nearly 35 years for the Sign, which will be repainted in its signature white.
A cultural and historic landmark, the Sign is the pride of its owner, the City of Los Angeles. Sherwin-Williams and the Hollywood Sign Trust are funding the project for the benefit of the City and its Department of Recreation and Parks, as well as Sign fans around the world. They have brought on Los Angeles-based commercial painting company Duggan & Associates to handle the task of completely stripping the current paint, and then priming and repainting. The work will help prepare the Sign to celebrate its 90th birthday in 2013.
The refurbishing efforts, which will start October 2, will take approximately eight to 10 weeks, and will require approximately 275 gallons of Emerald Exterior paint and 110 gallons of Pro-Cryl® Universal Acrylic Primer.
THE PAINT: Emerald Exterior Latex paint will ensure the Sign looks great for years to come. This exceptional, long-lasting finish delivers unsurpassed resistance to blistering, peeling, fading, mildew and dirt pick-up. Its durability and beauty is in a class of its own.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Sherwin-Williams and the Hollywood Sign Trust will provide project updates throughout the painting process, as well as photos. To be included on update distributions, contact Whitney McChane at Sherwin-Williams@clynch.com.
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS: ASK SHERWIN-WILLIAMS™
As the nation’s largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service that’s focused on unique project needs. Sherwin-Williams products can only be found at its more than 3,400 neighborhood stores across North America. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com or join the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/sherwinwilliamsforyourhome, on Twitter at twitter.com/sherwinwilliams or on Pinterest at pinterest.com/SherwinWilliams.
HOLLYWOOD SIGN TRUST: The Hollywood Sign Trust is a 501(c)3 non-profit Trust responsible for repairing, maintaining, refurbishing and providing capital improvements to the Hollywood Sign for the benefit of the public at large. Its nine- member board is led by Chris Baumgart as its Chairperson. More information about the Sign’s history and the Trust can be found at: www.hollywoodsign.org.
September 2012: NASA’s space shuttle’s Endeavour flew by the Hollywood Sign on its way to its final resting spot, the California Science Center.
Photo Courtesy of the LA Times
August 2012: CNET released an article about the history and upkeep of the Hollywood Sign. This is just one of the many press stories about the Sign that are written every month. To see the article, click here.
July 2012: PBS’s History Detectives aired a special about the Hollywood Sign. Chris Baumgart, chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, was interviewed as their expert witness. To see the full episode, click here.
June 2012: The BBC did an interview with the first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, at the Sign about their new tourist promotional tie in with the Pixar movie, Brave.
March 2012: The Hollywood Sign website is now available in 15 languages. Just scroll to the bottom of the page to convert the Sign into another language.
February 2012: Award Season is always a busy time for the Sign. Almost every award show, including the grand finale of the Oscars, featured shots of the Hollywood Sign.
January 2012: The Hollywood Sign Trust launched its new website with more interactive features, photo galleries and history.
2011:
December 2011: At last count The Sign in the Movies section includes 83 movies, 25 television shows, 4 video games and 5 music videos featuring the Hollywood Sign. This area of the website is extremely popular and all sightings were sent in by fans of the Sign. If you spot the Sign, email us at info@hollywoodsign.org and we will add your find to our gallery.
November 2011: The Hollywood Sign Trust joined The Los Angeles Press Club in honoring Hugh Hefner with a lifetime achievement award.
September 2011: The Hollywood Sign Trust adds a ‘Teaching the Sign’ section to the website featuring downloadable worksheets, timelines, and fast facts of the Hollywood Sign for the classroom.
July 2011: The summer blockbuster, Friends with Benefits, features the Hollywood Sign and especially The Hollywood Sign security. The movie made sure to showcase that trespassing to the Sign is illegal and the police will ask you to leave.
February 2011: The Hollywood Sign launches a Facebook Page where local and international fans can express their love for The Sign and share their own stories about the biggest icon of movie making.
2010:
December 2010: The Hollywood community comes together for a Save the Peak Community Celebration in the parkland just below The Hollywood Sign, commemorating the historic preservation of the large land tract just west of the Sign. This festive occasion included a press conference, live music, Pink’s Hot Dogs, and one of the best views to be seen anywhere. Some of our celebrity guests included Council member Tom LaBonge, Hollywood Sign Trust Chairman Chris Baumgart, Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers, philanthropist Aileen Getty, and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.
April 2010: Thirty-two years after the Sign was rebuilt, the Sign’s #1 fan, Hugh Hefner, presents the Hollywood Sign Trust with the closing gift to ‘Save the Peak,’ capping efforts to raise funds to purchase and protect the 138 acres behind the Hollywood Sign. Thanks to Mr. Hefner’s contribution, grants from The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and Aileen Getty, along with contributions from Hollywood leaders and fans around the world, the view that is inseparable from this cultural landmark will be protected. A star-studded press conference is held atop Mt. Lee, featuring remarks from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Council member Tom LaBonge, Hollywood Sign Trust Chairman Chris Baumgart, and Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers.
February 2010: The Hollywood Sign Trust joins the campaign to purchase and preserve 138 acres of Cahuenga Peak land adjacent to the Sign, which is in eminent danger of development for luxury estates. For the first time, the Trust grants official permission for the Sign to be temporarily covered by a banner. In support of fundraising efforts, The Trust for Public Land is permitted to place a banner over the Sign reading “Save The Peak.”
2009:
November 2009: By popular demand, HollywoodSign.org adds two new areas to the site: a list of appearances by the Sign in video games and music videos. Sharp-eyed Sign fans Rocco Battaglia, Randall Branam, and Marcel Pazzin discover over 15 before-unrecognized Sign appearances in film, tv, and video games to bolster the official list.
August 2009: The Sign’s security system is significantly upgraded with the newest software and hardware; the Sign is monitored 24 hours a day by City of Los Angeles security specialists. Security enhancements are a cooperative project between the City and the Hollywood Sign Trust.
April 2009 - The United States Coast Guard features the Hollywood Sign as the backdrop for a series of memorial photos honoring the Coast Guard’s fallen heroes.
April 2009 - ‘The Voice of America,’ the U.S.A.’s international broadcasting service, produced a news piece dedicated to the history, significance and maintenance of the Sign, and educating international viewers about the landmark.
March 2009 - Renner’s, the ‘Entertainment Tonight’ of Germany, airs a segment about the Sign, as it is a very important destination for German tourists. The piece covered the Sign’s fascinating history as well as the care and upkeep of the monument today.
Feb 2009 - Die Zeit, a German weekly news magazine similar to ‘Time,’ features the Hollywood Sign in its ‘Travel’ section. Just in time for the Oscars! Die Zeit is the most widely read German weekly newspaper.
Feb 2009 - Ming, China’s premier and popular lifestyle magazine, generated a feature on the Hollywood Sign, interviewing Sign trustee, Don Tillman. He detailed the nitty-gritty of maintaining and protecting this 45-foot high landmark.
2008:
Nov. 2008 - The Hollywood Sign continues its ongoing tradition of sponsoring ‘Opening Night’ at the AFI Film Festival, held at the Arclight Theater in Hollywood, with ‘Doubt,’ and cast members Meryl Streep (later nominated for Academy Award), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, etc. all hitting the red carpet. The long-time Hollywood Sign sponsorship of opening night at AFI Fest has helped grow the festival from a fledgling event into a truly world-class international film festival. A core mission of the Sign Trust is to educate the world about Hollywood’s seminal role in filmmaking and ensure it maintains its position as the epicenter of the global filmmaking world and keeps those ‘arc lights’ shining on a town that sparked the world’s love away with movies almost a century ago.
Oct. 2008 - Connie Talbot, British child star who won ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ at age six, visited the Hollywood Sign as part of her United States promotional tour. As a newly-minted star, Connie was excited to visit the international symbol of dreams coming true, the Hollywood Sign.
October 2008 - YSL features the Hollywood Sign in its glossy print advertising campaign, starring supermodel Claudia Schiffer, who took the Yves Saint Laurent baton as the face of the luxury fashion label for Spring/Summer 2009.
Sept 2008 - The U.S. Navy selects the Hollywood Sign to be featured in a segment entitled ‘America’s Landmarks,’ to be shown on military bases and ships all across the World.
Feb. 2008 - Popular PBS host Huell Howser generated a special, 1-hour look at the Hollywood Sign on his show ‘California Gold,’ delving into its rich, storied history, and significance. With special permission from the Sign Trust, Huell climbed to the base of the Sign to broadcast the piece, featuring interviews from members of the Sign Trust and amazing, new archival footage of the building of the Sign. You can view this show in its entirety here.
Jan. 2008 - 2008 represented the 30th anniversary of the historic restoration of the Sign. In 1978 it was determined that the Sign needed a total, letters-up rebuilding, and some of showbiz’s biggest names came to the financial rescue. Hugh Hefner hosted a gala fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion, where Sign letters were auctioned off individually to a diverse mix of sponsors from Alice Cooper to Gene Autry. The philanthropic campaign funded the makeover, which involved 194 tons of concrete, enamel and steel. And the Sign has been shining proudly for the three decades since…