The TV series “Kidding,” starring Jim Carrey, is set in Columbus, Ohio. However, the show was filmed in Southern California. It is a somewhat regular occurrence that filming locations around Greater Los Angeles are lost, due to rampant remodeling or demolition. For “Kidding,” the opposite events happened. The homes previously standing at the addresses were heavily remodeled, with the updated properties becoming two major locations featured in the show. Carrey plays Jeff Pickles, a famous children’s television show host, whose private life is falling apart. Jeff’s estranged wife Jill, played by Judy Greer, lives with their son at this home, located in Studio City.
LOCATION: 4227 Goodland Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
Jeff ends up purchasing the home directly next door.
LOCATION: 4221 Goodland Ave, Studio City, CA 91604 (Note: some mapping systems list this address as North Hollywood)
The 2007 Sean Penn film “Into The Wild,” which was based on true events, filmed across quite a few locations, including Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, South Dakota, Mexico, California and Alaska.
Tracy, played by Kristen Stewart, invites Chris McCandless, living under the alias of Alexander Supertramp and played by Emile Hirsch, to take a walk over to Salvation Mountain. Salvation Mountain is a hillside sculpture created by Leonard Knight in Calipartia, Californa. It is located near Slab City and not far from the Salton Sea. Despite appearing quite remote in the film, Salvation Mountain is actually not far from nearby towns, such as Niland.
LOCATION: Salvation Mountain, Beal Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233
Leonard Knight appears as himself in the film, giving the characters a guided tour through his creation. Leonard unfortunately passed away in 2014.
Originally built in 1984, the initial attempt at the project collapsed in 1989. Knight, however, rebuilt the sculpture with more sturdy materials and it remains standing to this day.
After Leonard’s passing, a public charity was established to preserve and maintain the site.
The “magic bus” seen in the film is not the actual bus Chris McCandless stayed in. It was also not filmed at the real location in Alaska, both out of respect for the family, as well as the major logistical issues of filming at the real site. Instead, a set was built about 50 miles south of the real bus, in the town of Cantwell, Alaska, with all traces of the set since removed. However, the replica bus featured in the film can be found at the 49th State Brewing Company in Healy, Alaska (248 Parks Hwy 5 mile, Healy, AK 99743).
In spite of the film’s use of an alternate site, many hikers still made the trek out to the real “magic bus” location, located on the Stampede Trail. The real site presents many dangers, much like those that McCandless encountered. After numerous cases of visitors needing rescued, with some even losing their lives, the bus was extracted by helicopter on June 19, 2020, due to public safety concerns. Officials stated the real bus may be put on display at a safe location someday in the future.
The 1999 Joel Schumacher film “8MM,” starring Nicolas Cage and Joaquin Phoenix, was filmed all over the U.S., including New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and California. The porn shop where Tom Welles, played by Nicolas Cage, follows his investigation can be found in Los Angeles. The building really is an adult store.
LOCATION: 1117 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
The back of the store is also seen in the film.
Tom stops in front of this famous mural in Hollywood, known as “You Are A Star,” which can also be seen in “La La Land.”
“The 40 Year-Old Virgin” introduced us to the films of Judd Apatow, who would go on to make a string of hit comedies. Andy, played by still Steve Carell, lives in this Studio City, California apartment, which still closely resembles how it appeared in the film. The same building was used in the film “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.”
LOCATION: 12012 Moorpark St, Studio City, CA 91604
Andy works in this shopping plaza in Encino, California.
LOCATION: 17401 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
The house where Trish, played by Catherine Keener, lived could be found in North Hollywood. Sadly, it has since been demolished.
LOCATION: 4433 Cartwright Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91602.
