Larenz Tate

Ray (2004)

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The 2004 Taylor Hackford film “Ray,” starring Jamie Foxx, tells the life story of legendary musician Ray Charles. Production primarily took place in Louisiana, with some additional filming in Los Angeles, California. Early in the film Ray Charles, played by Foxx, performs at The Rocking Chair club. Afterwards, the club owner Marlene, played by Denise Dowse, offers Ray to stay at her place, supposedly located in Seattle. The house can actually be found in New Orleans.

LOCATION: 4445 Venus St, New Orleans, LA 70122

The film jumps ahead to 1950 as Ray is performing in Los Angeles. Several quick establishing shots of the city are seen, including Los Angeles City Hall, which appears a couple times in the film.  The iconic building has been featured in endless films, such as “L.A. Confidential,” “Liar Liar,” “Gangster Squad,” “Impulse,” L.A. Bounty” and more.

LOCATION: 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

This building is also briefly seen as the Waters & Sons Record Shop during the Los Angeles establishing shot montage. The same location appeared in the film “Devil In A Blue Dress.”

LOCATION: 426 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The home of Della Bea Robinson, played by Kerry Washington, can be found in New Orleans.

LOCATION: 649 Park Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70114

After Ray and Della Bae get married, the move into this home, supposedly located in Texas, but actually found in New Orleans.

LOCATION: 1505 Bodenger Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70114

Ray and Della Bae later move into this home, located in Los Angeles.

LOCATION: 3910 Hepburn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Menace II Society (1993)

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The 1993 Hughes Brothers film “Menace II Society” takes place in South Central Los Angeles, where much of the film was likewise shot. In the opening scene of the film, Caine and O-Dog, played by Tyrin Turner and Larenz Tate, get into a confrontation with the owner of a liquor store and things take a violent turn. The location remains a liquor store today.

LOCATION: 5121 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

The Watts Towers can be seen in an early establishing shot of the film. The Watts Towers have appeared in many films, including “Colors,” “La La Land,” “Ricochet,” “CB4,” “Good Times,” and “Melinda,” as well as the TV shows “Six Feet Under,” “Dragnet,” “Southland,” “Dark Skies” and more.

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LOCATION: 1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Caine attends Jordan High School, which is located near the home of his grandparents in the film.

LOCATION: 2265 E 103rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Ronnie, played by Jada Pinkett Smith, lives in this home. The film’s climactic scenes take place here.

LOCATION: 2809 7th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90018

Caine lives with his grandparents at the Jordan Downs Housing Community in Watts. Jordan Downs was a low-income housing community known for poverty and crime. The area is currently under major redevelopment, with many of the original buildings already demolished. New, mixed-income housing and retail stores are being built in its place. This isn’t the exact building featured in the film, but a very similar one that was still standing at the time of our visit. The whole area is marked private and heavily patrolled by security, so we don’t encourage visiting.

LOCATION: 9800 Grape St, Los Angeles, CA 90002 (soon to be demolished)

The graduation party scenes were filmed at this home.

LOCATION: 2181 Cambridge St, Los Angeles, CA 90006

The gas station where the car jacking scene takes place still stands, but it has long since been shuttered and abandoned.

LOCATION: 4200 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008

The intersection where the car jacking takes place is made to appear right near the gas station, but it’s actually just down the road.

LOCATION: 3423 W 43rd Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Caine is injured from the car jacking and winds up in Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, which has been heavily remodeled since filming took place.

LOCATION: 1680 E 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Caine and his crew seek revenge for the car jacking at the Jungle Chicken restaurant. The building is actually located in San Fernando and somewhat surprisingly still stands today, albeit fenced off and abandoned.

LOCATION: 107 S Huntington St, San Fernando, CA 91340

A-Wax, Caine and O-Dog attempt to steal a car from an underground parking garage in Hollywood. When attempting to exit, they’re met by police officers.

LOCATION: 1800 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (facing Franklin Pl)

Caine hooks up with Ilena, played by Erin LeShawn Wiley, ultimately impregnating her. After Caine blows off taking any responsibility, it prompts Ilena’s cousin to intervene, ultimately leading to the film’s violent climax. Ilena lives at this house.

LOCATION: 4920 11th Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043