The Hollywood Museum

A TRULY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR LOVERS OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY

The historic art deco building at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, known for decades as The Max Factor Building, and now The Hollywood Museum, holds significant cultural value. This iconic location was frequented by leading Golden Age Hollywood starlets such as Colbert, Turner, Harlow, Hepburn, Hayworth, Crawford, and Davis, who visited the first-floor salon for hair and makeup services. According to legend, it is here that Lucille Ball transformed into a redhead, and Marilyn Monroe became a blonde.

Fortunately, these remarkable rooms have been preserved intact. The upper floors, where Max Factor once manufactured his pioneering makeup products, are now an integral component of The Hollywood Museum. The museum features authentic costumes, memorabilia, photographs, props, and even vehicles. Notably, it houses the largest collection of Marilyn Monroe artifacts in the world.

Located below the main floor is the Dungeon of Doom, showcasing an array of frightening items from decades of film history, including Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell set from the Academy Award-winning “Silence of the Lambs.”

A ONE-OF-A-KIND LOS ANGELES VENUE

Los Angeles is renowned for its extraordinary museums such as The Getty Center, The Getty Villa, LACMA, The Broad, MOCA, and The Hammer, each with unique and unparalleled collections. The Hollywood Museum stands out as a distinctive institution within Los Angeles, offering a must-visit experience for enthusiasts of history, film, television, and the celebrities who have significantly contributed to the entertainment industry.

This venue is best explored through a self-guided tour, and visitors should allocate at least a couple of hours to fully appreciate the permanent collection and special rotating exhibits. Dining options include Mel’s Drive-In next door or The Musso & Frank Grill. Musso has been going strong since 1919 and has certainly entertained all the famous personalities mentioned above.

For those planning to visit this venue as part of their upcoming trip, Tour du Jour offers convenient pick-up and drop-off services at this location for customized tours of Los Angeles.