The world-famous Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard opened in 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s ‘King of Kings’ and immediately became one of the most recognizable icons of Hollywood.
Developed by entrepreneur and actor Sid Grauman, also the mastermind behind other iconic venues like the Million Dollar Theater and the Egyptian, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has continuously operated as a premiere cinema and still hosts major film events. Designed by the architecture firm Meyer & Holler in a dramatic yet extravagant interpretation of Chinese architecture and art, the theater features a pagoda-shaped roof that rises to 90 feet, supported by massive columns crowned with wrought iron masks.
Imported temple bells, pagodas, two stone Fu dragons, and other artifacts from China are integrated into the theater’s design. The theater underwent renovations in 2000-2001 to enhance its facilities, unveil long-hidden details, and restore the exterior to its original appearance. Now known as TCL Chinese Theatre, the building at 6925 (next to the Dolby Theatre) underwent another renovation in 2013 to provide IMAX technology.
The theater hosted the Academy Awards Ceremony three times between 1944 and 1946.
Outside the building, another of Hollywood Boulevard’s great attractions draws thousands of tourists. Footprints and handprints of numerous artists are imprinted in cement for posterity as a tribute. Among them are actors like Clark Gable, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walken, Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe and Shirley Temple.
While it has been customary to leave footprints and handprints, some characters have left other imprints: Harold Lloyd left imprints of his glasses; Groucho Marx and George Burns left imprints of their distinctive cigars; Betty Grable immortalized her legs; John Wayne, his fist; Al Jolson, his knees; Sonja Henie, the blades of her skates; and the noses of Jimmy Durante and Bob Hope. And not always have individuals left their imprints; the horses of Tom Mix (“Tony”), Gene Autry (“Champion”), and Roy Rogers (“Trigger”) left hoof prints alongside the stars who rode them. Similarly, the actors from the Harry Potter saga (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint) left imprints of the wands they used in the popular films.
