Protect Your Trip »
The 8 Best Hollywood Tours
See celebrity homes, top attractions and fun sights on these engaging tours of one of LA's hottest neighborhoods.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Rodeo Drive under a shining sun, Beverly Hills. California, USA](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000187-dcf0-d429-a3e7-fef5e5560001/rodeo-drive2-2023.jpg?update-time=1683038993476&size=responsive640)
Getty Images
Hollywood's glitz, glamour and celebrities have always held a fascination for travelers. Tourists journey to Los Angeles from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the city's famous residents or scope out iconic filming locations. For a behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood's unknown tales and secrets, enlist the help of a local by signing up for a guided tour. Researching both expert opinion and traveler sentiment, U.S. News selected the best Hollywood tours.
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Big Bus Tours Los Angeles – TMZ Celebrity Tour
Price: From $47.20 for adults; from $39.20 with kids Duration: 2 hours
TMZ, known for its celebrity news-fueled television show and website, operates this bus tour that takes travelers through Hollywood in the hopes of seeing their favorite celebrities. During the two-hour trip, TMZ guides will take you to celebrity hangouts in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills the Sunset Strip and more. The guides even bring video cameras in case a passing celebrity is willing to give an interview. Many patrons say the tour is fun, even without seeing any stars, and applaud the entertaining guides.
Tours run multiple times daily. Children younger than 2 are not permitted.
Check prices & availability on:
Ultimate Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes Tour: The Real Hollywood Experience
Price: From $44 for adults; from $34 for kids Duration: 2 hours
Keep your eyes peeled for Hollywood A-listers on this two-hour open-top bus tour, which promises to drive by dozens of celebrity homes. The bus will also cruise down Rodeo Drive and pass by the Hollywood Walk of Fame landmark and the Dolby Theatre, among other celebrity haunts. Visitors appreciate the guides' sense of humor and knowledge. They also say this is an excellent way to see the major attractions in Hollywood in a short amount of time.
The tours depart multiple times daily. There is a booking fee added to the tour price. If you're hoping to see even more of Los Angeles, consider the company's 5.5-hour excursion that includes an hourlong stop in Santa Monica.
The Real Los Angeles Tours – The Real Hollywood Tour
Price: From $40 Duration: 2 hours
During this historic walking tour, travelers will learn why Hollywood – once a farming town – was selected by movie industry pioneers in the early 20th century. The two-hour tour also stops at unique sights, such as the oldest house in Hollywood. But major attractions aren't forgotten either: You can expect to see the Capitol Records Building, the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, among other sights. Reviewers enjoy the informative guides, and even locals say they discover things they never knew about the city.
Tours are offered daily at 10 a.m. There is a 5% booking fee when purchasing tickets. You can also opt to combine this tour with the company's Central Downtown LA tour for a comprehensive, three-hour historical overview of the city.
Open Bus Tours – Movie Star Home Tour
Price: From $35 Duration: 2 hours
Admire the mansions of Hollywood's rich and famous as you wind through LA's posh neighborhoods on this two-hour, open-air bus tour. Then, pass by iconic sights, such as the Hollywood sign and Mulholland Drive, before cruising along Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and other well-known Hollywood locales. Most reviewers give the tour high marks, applauding the amusing and informative guides.
Tours are available Thursday through Monday; they depart every two hours between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. each operating day. Private tours are also an option.
Bikes and Hikes LA – Hollywood Sign Hike
Price: From $29 Duration: 2.5 hours
For a unique and sunshine-filled Hollywood tour, opt for this 2.5-hour hike to the Hollywood sign. Highlights include a view of Griffith Observatory, panoramic views from Mount Hollywood and local guides who also double as actors and comedians. Along the 4-mile round-trip hike, you might even see local celebrities walking their dogs. Tour-takers love the views, informative guides and the overall experience.
The company offers both morning and afternoon guided hikes. The exact meeting times vary, depending on the time of the year, but there is typically a morning departure and a late afternoon departure. Bikes and Hikes LA recommends wearing sunscreen, sunglasses and sneakers, and bringing a camera or smartphone for all those Instagram-worthy views. The company also offers three different bike tours around Hollywood and LA.
Hollywood City Tours – The Original Hollywood Tour
Price: From $45 for adults; from $35 for kids Duration: 2 hours
According to travelers, this tour is worthwhile if you're only in Los Angeles for a short amount of time, as you cover a lot of ground in just two hours. You'll cruise along Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip in an open-top bus as your driver (who doubles as your guide) shares interesting tidbits and historical information. Reviewers compliment the personable, entertaining guides, who they say tailor the tour to the group's interests. Along with celebrity homes belonging to A-listers like Katy Perry and Leonardo DiCaprio, you'll also drive past Hollywood landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl, Chateau Marmont and the Pantages Theatre.
Tours operate daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you're hoping to hit all of LA's top sights, consider the company's seven-hour Grand LA Tour.
Access Hollywood Tours – Celebrity Homes & Hollywood Sign Tour
Price: From $39 for adults; from $29 for kids Duration: 2 hours
Reviewers say this Hollywood sightseeing tour is lots of fun thanks to the engaging, personable guides. They also praise the beautiful scenery and report seeing plenty of iconic landmarks and celebrity homes. On this two-hour tour, you'll board an open-top bus in search of celebrity homes belonging to the likes of Mick Jagger and Madonna, as well as Hollywood must-sees like Greystone Mansion, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and more.
Tours are available Thursday through Tuesday starting at 10:30 a.m. until around 4:30 p.m. Tours may be available daily, depending on the month.
Surf City Tours – The Perfect Los Angeles Tour
Price: From $85 for adults; from $70 for kids Duration: 5.5 hours
See the best of both Hollywood and Los Angeles on this half-day tour. Departing from Santa Monica Pier, the bus tour features several stops, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive and The Original Farmers Market. Along with celebrity homes belonging to stars like Bruno Mars, Al Pacino and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, you'll cruise past famous music venues, such as The Viper Room and Whisky a Go Go. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to the knowledgeable guides, who are well-versed in celebrity culture. Travelers also appreciate the time allotted for each stop and say they captured great photos.
Tours are available at 10 a.m. and noon daily. If you're short on time, consider the company's two-hour Hollywood tour.
You may also be interested in:
- Best Los Angeles Tours
- Best Things to Do in Los Angeles
- Best Los Angeles Hotels
- Best California Tours
- Best Places to Visit in California
- Top Things to Do in California
Tags: Travel , Hollywood , Tours , Vacations , California Vacations , U.S. West Vacations , US Vacations
World's Best Places To Visit
- # 1 South Island, New Zealand
- # 4 Bora Bora
If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.
You May Also Like
The best sedona tours.
Amanda Norcross Aug. 15, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000171-361c-d023-a17f-7f5e7c3c0000/gettyimages-685112055.jpg?update-time=1723560116776&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Best Grand Canyon Tours from Vegas
Taylore Fox Aug. 13, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000018a-e22a-d03a-a9eb-f72bbff80001/1-grand-canyon-bus-tours-national-park-express.png?update-time=1696012008195&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Top Places to See Fall Foliage
Gwen Pratesi and Erin Vasta Aug. 13, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-480b-dd90-adb7-681b55f40000/new-main-image-great-smoky-mountains-credit-getty-images.jpg?update-time=1723490587376&size=responsiveSquare150)
11 Best Niagara Falls Tours
Lyn Mettler and Amanda Norcross Aug. 12, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000188-97b5-d764-a3a8-dff705e10000/new-overview-image-journey-behind-the-falls-courtesy-of-niagara-falls-tourism.jpg?update-time=1686172699742&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Best Movie & TV Tours
Timothy J. Forster Aug. 8, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000191-3240-dd9f-a1b5-37e2b7960000/1-main-image-london-credit-getty-images.jpg?update-time=1723129187199&size=responsiveSquare150)
Best New Orleans Swamp Tours
Amanda Norcross Aug. 8, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000170-1acc-d488-a9fa-3ecec07f0000/gettyimages-95582707.jpg?update-time=1706884887923&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Best Pearl Harbor Tours
John Rodwan and Amanda Norcross Aug. 8, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000018a-a941-db0e-adcf-ef5b08ed0000/pearl-harbor-tours-main-2023-getty-images.jpg?update-time=1695056824851&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Best Vatican Tours
Lyn Mettler Aug. 8, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/0000016d-687f-dc57-a3ef-fbff15bb0000/gettyimages-987964064.jpg?update-time=1709048339827&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Best Stonehenge Tours
Kim Foley MacKinnon and Ann Henson Aug. 7, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000187-29f5-d916-addf-69fd68640000/stonehenge-tours-2023-getty.jpg?update-time=1680036168131&size=responsiveSquare150)
The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent
Amanda Norcross Aug. 7, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000187-bf3c-df56-a5cf-bf7dec690000/new-main-image-pros-cons-of-travel-agents-stock.jpg?update-time=1682540697368&size=responsiveSquare150)
🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
Get us in your inbox
Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond
By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
Awesome, you're subscribed!
The best of Los Angeles for free.
Sign up for our email to enjoy Los Angeles without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).
Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?
Love the mag?
Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.
- Things to Do
- Food & Drink
- Coca-Cola Foodmarks
- Attractions
- Los Angeles
![hollywood tours hollywood tours](https://media.timeout.com/images/106115976/750/562/image.jpg)
The 4 best Hollywood tours
Take one of these awesome Hollywood tours to see more than just the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre
![the original hollywood tour reviews Michael Juliano](https://d32dbz94xv1iru.cloudfront.net/customer_photos/134be1d4-dd59-4d53-8df1-cf55924a68e0.jpg)
Hollywood tours are in no short supply, from the open-top vans that line the Hollywood Walk of Fame to intimate walking tours. At their best, they take the guesswork out of exploring major tourist attractions and celebrity hangouts, and can sometimes offer an offbeat look at Hollywood history. But finding a perfect route is a challenge, especially when most Hollywood tours barely even take place in Hollywood; in fact, most are excursions through West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip as well as Beverly Hills .
We’ll be honest: Enterprising visitors are better off with a DIY approach. A smartphone, a Metro pass, and a ride-hailing app cost far less than a proper tour, and you’ll be able to tackle everything at your own pace.
But if you’re looking for a bit more hand-holding and have upwards of $40 to spare, a couple of quality options do exist for Hollywood tours. So we hopped aboard Tinseltown’s top tour buses to find you the best tours through L.A.’s most famous neighborhoods.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Hollywood
This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines .
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
Best Hollywood tours
1. starline sightseeing tours hop-on hop-off.
- Things to do
- Walks and tours
- price 2 of 4
![Starline Sightseeing Tours Hop-on Hop-off Starline Sightseeing Tours Hop-on Hop-off](https://media.timeout.com/images/100719865/750/422/image.jpg)
Starline Sightseeing Tours essentially operates an entire network of double-decker bus circuits across the city, from Downtown to Santa Monica. Unlike most full-day tours, you’ll never be held hostage to a particular itinerary. Buses arrive at most major tourist attractions across the city every 20 to 30 minutes, so feel free to avoid awful spots and linger in more interesting ones (the Hollywood-West Hollywood-Beverly Hills loop clocks in at just under two hours). Faux Robin Leach narration pumps through headphone jacks at every seat. The ritzy British accent lends extra hilarity as it recounts Hollywood lore, like the El Pollo Loco where Brad Pitt used to dress up as a chicken, or the liquor store where Guns N’ Roses used to get sloshed.
Don't miss: The multilingual audio commentary comes in eight languages, so no one has to miss out.
2. Hollywood Studios and TMZ Private Day Tour
![Hollywood Studios and TMZ Private Day Tour Hollywood Studios and TMZ Private Day Tour](https://media.timeout.com/images/105964904/750/422/image.jpg)
However you make your way to this tour, you can’t possibly miss the bus; it has TMZ emblazoned in huge lettering down the sides of it and it’ll likely be surrounded by excitable folks. The lack of windows means taking photos is a breeze – plus, it allows your guide to yell witty quips at passersby when you roll through celeb hotspots. Inside the bus, a history of salacious celeb details are offered via amusing anecdotes. Essentially, this is three tours in one: The sightseeing aspect efficiently and lightheartedly covers the most notable stops in Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills. Additionally, it’s a celebrity-hunting tour – the guides are armed with camera rigs to record fodder for TMZ – where success is never guaranteed.
Don't miss: Views of the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip.
3. Hollywood Boulevard Prime Time Van Tour
- price 1 of 4
![Hollywood Boulevard Prime Time Van Tour Hollywood Boulevard Prime Time Van Tour](https://media.timeout.com/images/106115969/750/422/image.jpg)
Walk anywhere on Hollywood Boulevard and you’re sure to be stopped by someone hawking a discounted van tour. The canopy-topped vans offer a comfortable alternative to driving yourself through Hollywood gridlock and the frightfully narrow roads through the hills up to the Hollywood Sign. However, the tours rarely delve deeper than “there’s Eva Longoria’s house.” For those looking for a no-frills way to snap some photos of Hollywood’s tourist highlights and celebrity homes, it’s difficult to find a more practical, cost-effective way.
Don't miss: You'll be driving past the homes of Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elvis Presley and more... so keep your eyes peeled for celeb sightings.
4. Los Angeles: Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Tour
![Los Angeles: Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Tour Los Angeles: Luxury Hollywood Sightseeing Trolley Tour](https://media.timeout.com/images/106115973/750/422/image.jpg)
It's not just about the views and famous sights on this Hollywood tour; passengers will be riding on a vintage trolley to make this experience even more memorable. Glance over at celeb homes and cultural hotspots, like Miracle Mile to the Original Farmers Market, from the comfort of crushed velvet seats. Your guide will be sharing stories that relate to each site as you pass by, making for a jam-packed three-hour joyride.
Don't miss: Look out for the onboard charging ports and remember to ask for the WiFi details.
[image] [title]
Discover Time Out original video
- Press office
- Investor relations
- Work for Time Out
- Editorial guidelines
- Privacy notice
- Do not sell my information
- Cookie policy
- Accessibility statement
- Terms of use
- Copyright agent
- Modern slavery statement
- Manage cookies
- Advertising
- Time Out Market
Time Out products
- Time Out Worldwide
Time Out magazine
Hollywood City Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Hollywood City Tours - Los Angeles, CA, US. Stop at Beverly Hills](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/FAa6T1kTqHwVsYcgdyQrsA/l.jpg)
Review Highlights
![the original hollywood tour reviews hollywood-city-tours-los-angeles-8 photo FAa6T1kTqHwVsYcgdyQrsA](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/FAa6T1kTqHwVsYcgdyQrsA/60s.jpg)
“ Shauna is fun and funny and took us to all the beautiful areas from Hollywood to Bel Air and Beverly Hills ! ” in 6 reviews
![the original hollywood tour reviews Mallarie H.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/UnrNSvTVMBjxFk9uKhoe1A/60s.jpg)
“ Our guide, Jason , knew all the good points of interest and had lots of extra facts and fun info along the way. ” in 5 reviews
![the original hollywood tour reviews Angela M.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/user_60_square.yji-b98a858bc39bdfe99ecc.png)
“ Rodger was knowledgeable, funny, and overall great. ” in 2 reviews
Location & Hours
Suggest an edit
![the original hollywood tour reviews Map](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?size=315x150&sensor=false&client=gme-yelp&language=en&scale=1&zoom=15¢er=34.098198%2C-118.330120&markers=scale%3A1%7Cicon%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fyelp-images.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fassets%2Fmap-markers%2Fannotation_32x43.png%7C34.098198%2C-118.330120&signature=HVb7vBmYELiqMapBJ7mPdwaERM8=)
6437 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles Ca 90028
Los Angeles, CA 90028
You Might Also Consider
![the original hollywood tour reviews Away](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/-cbbVb8Hk4EXmd5MblcuNQ/60s.jpg)
2.7 miles away from Hollywood City Tours
Michelle R. said "I stopped by this location with my friend and I had been reading the reviews for this particular luggage brand online and kept thinking, its ONLY luggage, so how special could it be. My friend had been wanting to start her travel…" read more
in Airlines, Luggage, Travel Services
![the original hollywood tour reviews Scottsdale Party Bus & Limo](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/lR74TQ2XGawekaCSLKWnzQ/60s.jpg)
Scottsdale Party Bus & Limo
Jason K. said "I have worked with this company for 2 different occasions. Both times I was very impressed with how professional the company was, especially working with me on such short notice. The bus arrived early to ensure that it was ready for…" read more
in Limos, Party Bus Rentals, Airport Shuttles
![the original hollywood tour reviews Luxury Valet & Shuttle](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/SI-ScqQ9FUa22IbkCs6-Xg/60s.jpg)
Luxury Valet & Shuttle
Jenifer N. said "We booked them for a huge event and they arrived on time and were extremely kind. I was a little bit weary because they didn't have alot of reviews. But don't let that deter you! They were really professional and understanding. The…" read more
in Valet Services, Limos
Amenities and More
About the business.
Tour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. See your favorite Tour Hot Spots & Star homes on our Open Air Buses. …
Ask the Community
Ask a question
How far away is the parking from the meet up location?
A short walk.
People also searched for
Harry Potter
Scenic Drive
Things To Do With Teenagers
Places To Walk
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
Recommended Reviews
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Username](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/assets/public/default_user_avatar_64x64_v2.yji-19e0a8ff85b15f4bbd79.png)
- 1 star rating Not good
- 2 star rating Could’ve been better
- 3 star rating OK
- 4 star rating Good
- 5 star rating Great
Select your rating
Overall rating
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Maria V.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/dqOrx1NNfQyGg46AQVmBhQ/60s.jpg)
Alright -- if you're into kitchy touristy things, this was fun. The driver was funny and took us to quite a few neighborhoods and shared facts along the way. Was it hard to believe the places were celeb homes? Absolutely. But at least we saw some amazing homes and parts of LA. So, not the most amazing experience of my life but I don't regret it!
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Layla B.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/R7pBK0tySPnbvD0fi3vGrw/60s.jpg)
Booked last minute-- so glad we did! Bee was an awesome tour guide. Small shop when you check in for the tour with snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and bathrooms. The two hour tour flew by yet still felt like enough time. Mostly driving past celeb homes, but beautiful views to give you the LA feel through Hollywood Hills! It's an easy way to see the Hollywood area without the stress of driving yourself. Worth the price to be a true tourist! Only downside was our "bus" was an enclosed van so we couldn't see much out of the windows, but that was okay. Not all the busses are like that, ours just happened to be. We enjoyed it very much on a Saturday evening. Thanks Bee!
![the original hollywood tour reviews](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/oNNK78qVBvCwuJjaI9Sp9A/348s.jpg)
Terrible ! False advertisement! We didn't see anything the guide states ! The tour employee had no personality ! We couldn't hear him ! I felt all we did was drive around In traffic ! The worst ! Save your money !! Just drive around Hollywood yourself !
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Susan G.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/U3aE1XUozPACEdNwrO0dyQ/60s.jpg)
Had a great time on the city tour. Sammy the tour guide was amazing. He had so much information about Los Angeles that made the tour even more spectacular
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Jill H.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/iD7J-qKY5ftS0sxqKbI_Iw/60s.jpg)
I was looking for a fun way to see the sights of Hollywood/Beverly Hills with my teenager, but this missed the mark. The driver was knowledgeable, but not particularly personable. He talked a lot about where current celebrities "used to live" and where people tragically died. The cost of this tour was not worth it, and then the driver aggressively demanded tips (even thought there's already a sign letting riders know that a minimum tip of $10 per person is expected).
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Eric M.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/G0anq_G8HLTd3ZBwMXr1Vg/60s.jpg)
We had a great tour and a wonderful tour guide, Rick! Rick packed us into a stretched 50's Plymouth and hauled us around Hollywood and Beverly Hills, pointing out stars' homes old and current. Between Aussie Rick's down to earth presentation of bigger-than-life Hollywood and the vintage, rag-topped yellow cab, this tour is one we would recommend.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Stretched Plymouth ragtop land yacht](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/XfrU0Bd-ihSdLheh_L01kg/348s.jpg)
Stretched Plymouth ragtop land yacht
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Karen B.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/WjJZnBLPM5udmC4-efwcLQ/60s.jpg)
Unfortunately, my friends were the photographers because I was in the middle seat in the back. There were five of us and we all had a great time. The two hour tour was less than $40 so we thought that was quite reasonable based on our comparison shopping. They even had parking right out front of their location! The first shop also had reasonable pricing for souvenirs, drinks, and food. The staff was friendly and polite as we checked in. We boarded the bus which had open sides/windows. It' was a beautiful day in the 70s so the open bus was quite pleasant. Our tour was full, as it seems most are. The driver was funny and courteous. We enjoyed the tour and had plenty of laughs. He answered questions, as well.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Liz M.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/ADhEVbJtqJnci6NXH2G64w/60s.jpg)
Tour left without us. Showed up exactly on time. Employee at desk was rude. Driver refused to come back to get us. Spent $117 on tickets and took a $50 Uber ride to get there. Located in a seedy area with drug affects all over. Felt very scammed. Requested refund.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Photo of Beth L.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/photo/Bgrc0-ZKbuDTcOoAUs_Yqw/60s.jpg)
I am a former CA resident visiting with family from London. Wanted to show them the digits of Hollywood so I Googled Hollywood Tours and this company came up. I was attracted by the list of attractions especially going to the Hollywood sign. I have hiked up the the sign and wanted my London guests to get up and close. The website and brochure both say Hollywood sign stop 15 minutes stop. I called the company prior to registering on line as I wanted to know where the shop was located and where to park. Paid on line, parked in the recommended parking garage on Ivar street, $15 all day. Found the storefront on Sunset Blvd. The storefront is unattractive and not well signed. The representative told me on the phone they were located across the street from the CNN bldg. Great landmark! Went inside to check in, customer service less than impressive, not very friendly or enthusiastic. Our tour started on time. Our driver was female and very nice. We hopped into the passenger van with large openings where windows would be. She announced the tour was 1 hour 45 and can be up to 2 hours with traffic. The website does not say that. She then proceeded to drive thru Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills to show us the rich and famous homes. On Mulhuland Dr we stopped to photograph the Hollywood sign, I soon realized that was the extent of seeing the sign. It was across the freeway on another hilltop. Very much enjoyed driving thru the neighborhoods, beautiful. The end of the tour consisted of driving thru Rodeo Drive Sunset Blvd and then Hollywood Blvd where many famous sites are. She offered to stop on Hollywood Blvd near the Chinese Theater so people could get out and walk the famous strip. We did that , got to see the stars on the side walk. We poked around in souvenir shops. It was about a 10 minute walk back to the parking garage if you did not stop . I would recommend doing this. If I were to do a trip with any company again I would validate the tour content over the phone. Advertising a stop at the Hollywood sign and not going there was a disappointment. I did not question the driver as I did not want to create controversy in the vehicle. Driver was knowledgeable and friendly. She had a lot of trouble with her microphone headset and continuously apologized. As stated, whatever company you chose call and validate the advertised tour sights. For this company, update your brochure and Website. Wr went in The Original Tour.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood City Tour brochure](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/-10y5hcqUpbSe0sz13e2vw/348s.jpg)
Hollywood City Tour brochure
![the original hollywood tour reviews](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/uwHJyrl9rk9FCUw1DQLe4Q/348s.jpg)
It was ok. We had a very frustrating passenger. The tour ended 20 minutes early. Our driver was nice and had good one liners but half the houses promised on the flier were not seen. Also... the seatbelts were broken.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Beverly Hills](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/-Sb5mL9gBvUTivgVbqninw/348s.jpg)
Beverly Hills
39 other reviews that are not currently recommended
![the original hollywood tour reviews Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/Bedy5P8McmvvwFskoK2iww/60s.jpg)
Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari
Alexandria T. said "Go to this one! We saw a Blue Whale, the boat was faster and less people. We won't be going to another one, this is the only one we will be booking from now on!" read more
in Whale Watching Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Sameday Passport & Visa Expedite Services](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/QT6au6LvnMkI2brq8TpsUg/60s.jpg)
Sameday Passport & Visa Expedite Services
Sameday Passport and Visa Services,We offer Passport services, Visa services, passport renew, passport renewal,emergency passport, urgent passport,child passport, passport expedite, Passport expedite services, 24hrs passport, add… read more
in Travel Agents, Passport & Visa Services
Collections Including Hollywood City Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles, CA](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/-BFFxwx1HJhQAXatF6KaCQ/300s.jpg)
Los Angeles, CA
People Also Viewed
![the original hollywood tour reviews Access Hollywood Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/8z44bmHFuHIyZ3IsGYoLlA/300s.jpg)
Access Hollywood Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Bus Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/n9M0H1pb0LAxm9vWoDGwtg/300s.jpg)
Hollywood Bus Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Ultimate Hollywood Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/RIUk9VKZG-PzpKyWJPR_Qg/300s.jpg)
Ultimate Hollywood Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/jyMPm6VWomRXN7GnYafmIg/300s.jpg)
Hollywood Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews TMZ Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/PwLJWYp3dI72vpZSxy0fnQ/300s.jpg)
Legends Of Hollywood Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews A Day in LA Tours on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/yS2zBGun_DwRAl58YZSKaQ/300s.jpg)
A Day in LA Tours
![the original hollywood tour reviews Big Bus Tours Los Angeles on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/NEeUZBW74CEcn22rT1mn2w/300s.jpg)
Big Bus Tours Los Angeles
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood La Tour on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/kfI34WtdMxAKKXRzYrYDzQ/300s.jpg)
Hollywood La Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Golden Ticket LA on Yelp](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/PgAbllFvg1SCbeFtdGhyYw/300s.jpg)
Golden Ticket LA
Best of Los Angeles
Things to do in Los Angeles
People found Hollywood City Tours by searching for…
All Around Hollywood Tour Los Angeles
Celebrity Home Tours Los Angeles
Celebrity House Bus Tour Los Angeles
Chinese Tour Company Los Angeles
Girls Tour Los Angeles
Hollywood Star City Tours Los Angeles
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Los Angeles
Hop Up Hop Off La Los Angeles
Rodeo Drive Restaurant Los Angeles
Sight Seeing Tours Los Angeles
The Original Hollywood Tour Los Angeles
The Original La Tour Los Angeles
Browse Nearby
Transportation
Amish Restaurant
Other Bus Tours Nearby
Find more Bus Tours near Hollywood City Tours
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
Related Cost Guides
Town Car Service
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood City Tours](https://www.hollywoodcitytours.com/img/tours/hollywood-city-tours.png)
![the original hollywood tour reviews The Crazy Tourist](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/HeaderLogo.png)
Home » Travel Guides » United States » California (CA) » 15 Best Hollywood Tours
15 Best Hollywood Tours
Mention Hollywood and the first thing that springs to mind for most people is the glamour of the TV and film industry.
Indeed, you don’t have to venture too far during your trip to notice these influences. Most of the top activities in this Los Angeles neighborhood revolve around TV, film and celebrity culture.
But while parts of it have been neglected (the Hollywood the world doesn’t get to see), Tinseltown, for the most part, sparkles with bright lights that illuminate the myriad celebrity hangouts, old glitzy hotels, a vibrant production scene, and an emerging urban cityscape.
Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, tour a studio back lot, and much more with this list of 15 best Hollywood tours.
1. Half Day Hollywood and Beverly Hills Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Boulevard](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_386306728.jpg)
If you want to acquaint yourself with Hollywood, this is just the tour for you.
It takes you on a sightseeing mission of Tinseltown aboard an electric-powered Cadillac Escalade limousine, gliding through iconic streets such as the Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard.
The limo will take you to visit celeb neighborhoods such as West Hollywood and Beverly Hills – but this guided outing is not all about sightseeing in the car.
You will have an hour-and-a-half to yourself to breathe in the glitz and charm as you enjoy a stroll around the world-famous shops and restaurants located on Rodeo Drive.
2. Los Angeles Celebrity Homes Helicopter Flight
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles Celebrity Homes Helicopter Flight](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Los-Angeles-Celebrity-Homes-Helicopter-Flight.jpg)
Hollywood is not Hollywood without a taste of celebrity lifestyle.
While there are myriad reminders of that at every corner, it is not until you catch a glimpse of the glamorous pads that you know it’s real.
This 35-minute helicopter tour gives you an aerial view of LA, soaring over celebrity neighborhoods like Bel Air and Brentwood.
Fly over notable landmarks such as the Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood Sign as you soak in the majesty of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and other iconic sights from above.
Upgrade your package and get a taste of the celebrity lifestyle – literally speaking – with snacks and champagne servings.
View Prices & Reviews
3. Private Hollywood and Los Angeles in a Day Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ccimage-shutterstock_172033643.jpg)
Want a private tour of LA just for you and your family or group of friends? This tour gives you the wiggle room to customize it as you wish.
Irrespective of how you plan your itinerary, the beauty of this tour package is that it allows you to explore Hollywood and Los Angeles on your own terms.
The eight-hour private sightseeing tour provides you with a driver to take you around the most famous sights in the City of Angels, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Griffith Observatory, and the Chinese Theatre.
You will see the Hollywood Sign in as close a range as it gets, as well as sample landmarks like the Sunset Strip and Hollywood Boulevard.
4. Full-Day Los Angeles Tour with Cupcake Tasting and Museum Trip
![the original hollywood tour reviews Ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_77132170.jpg)
It is not every day you get to search for Hollywood stars on a guided walk. This tour allows you to do just that and then some.
Limited to a dozen people for the best experience, the Full-Day Los Angeles Tour gives you a comprehensive cover of LA, with a little taste of everything the city has to offer – figuratively and literally speaking.
Board a public bus to the Farmers Market and Beverly Hills, then hitch a ride on a bike from Santa Monica to Venice Beach.
Gain free entry to the Paley Center for Media, and taste cupcakes sprinkled with stardust at a Beverly Hills bakery before taking a stroll along Rodeo Drive – America’s most exclusive shopping district.
There will be plenty of time to visit the city’s other illustrious landmarks and the lesser-known gems.
5. Hollywood Bike Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Bike Tour](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Hollywood-Bike-Tour.jpg)
Who said you need to shelve your fitness plans when touring Tinseltown?
Take in the city’s most splendid views and break a sweat at the same time with this three-hour bike tour that takes you around the top attractions in historic Hollywood.
Cycle back in time by gliding through the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and pedal past Paramount Studio’s front gate, before venturing farther to explore other Hollywood classics, like the original Farmers Market, the hip Melrose Avenue, LACMA, the largest art museum in the western US, and more.
Of course, a good bike tour of Hollywood isn’t complete without biking past the Walk of Fame and other famous spots such as the Capitol Records Building.
You will get a souvenir water bottle to take home with you.
6. Los Angeles: Movie Stars’ Homes Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Movie Stars Homes Tour](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Movie-Stars-Homes-Tour.jpg)
This is a tour that lifts the veil on the most exclusive neighborhoods in LA.
The two-hour, open-top, small passenger bus tour passes the homes of A-listers such as Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Nicolas Cage.
Don’t be surprised if you have close encounters with the Hollywood types along Mulholland Drive as you head into the hills for the best views of celeb town.
The tour will navigate through the most exclusive streets of Beverly Hills and Bel-Air, passing by other mansions that include the likes of power couples Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
It will then wind down Rodeo Drive before heading back to Hollywood via Sunset Strip.
7. Go on a Hike in Hollywood Hills
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Hills Hike](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Hollywood-Hills-Hike.jpg)
This tour is a brief reminder that while you are still in the middle of the glitz and glamour of celebrity capital, this is still Los Angeles, California.
That means beautiful natural scenery and the famous West Coast sunsets, and there is no better way to experience them than by climbing Mount Hollywood – an excursion that provides a completely different perspective on this sprawling concrete jungle.
It takes you to the highest point in the Hollywood Hills, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city, from the skyscrapers to the trendy mansions.
A good camera on this 2.5-hour outing is a must – not just to snap the iconic Hollywood Sign, but because it promises pictures to last a lifetime.
8. Los Angeles Small Group Sightseeing Tour in German
![the original hollywood tour reviews Small Group Sightseeing Tour](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Small-Group-Sightseeing-Tour.jpg)
One of the most popular tours in German on offer, this eight-hour tour gives you an exhaustive view of LA, mixing up sightseeing with the city’s film locations and best hangouts.
Starting at the heart of Downtown, the journey takes you on a historic discovery of Los Angeles that covers, among others, The Plaza Church – one of the oldest churches in LA – and the renowned Union Train Station – often christened the Last of the Great Railway Stations.
Next, check out some notable filming locations and drop by the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Concert Center, then sample the fashion district and its over 1,000 stores.
Then head over to Griffith Park to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood Sign as you revel in unparalleled views of the city.
The tour is not complete without stopping at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre, with myriad other attractions also on the cards.
9. Los Angeles: 1-Hour Flight for 2 Persons
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Sign](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_114467512.jpg)
Los Angeles is one of the most scenic cities from up above; that’s partly because it packs too much posh into a single area than you will probably get anywhere.
This one-hour aerial tour for two lets you soak in the breathtaking wonders of LA, including the Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills, Dodger Stadium, Sunset Boulevard, and Griffith Observatory.
The flight also promises million-dollar views of Santa Monica and the exquisite beaches of southern California.
What’s more, enjoy a brief stint as a pilot by getting the chance to take the controls.
10. Go Sightseeing in LA with a Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Ticket
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hop-on-Hop-off Los Angeles](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Hop-on-Hop-off-Los-Angeles.jpg)
If you are planning a couple of days in LA, this tour aboard an open-air, double-decker bus is an excellent option.
The tour – narrated in nine languages – will take you on a jump-on-jump-off sightseeing adventure of the Greater Los Angeles area with 100 stops to make.
From Downtown Los Angeles to LAX, Rodeo Drive to Hollywood, Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey to Venice Beach, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre to Universal City, you are sure to learn a lot about this West Coast city.
With the option to choose between a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour pass, you will have plenty of time to shop in Beverly Hills, hit a couple of stunning beaches, and enjoy some time at famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign.
11. Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park 2-Hour Hiking Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews View from Griffith Park](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_370318550.jpg)
Just because Los Angeles is a rambling urban landscape doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the natural side of the city, the beach notwithstanding.
This two-hour tour with a live guide takes you to the most tranquil part of the city for views of the famed LA skyline.
The trip starts at the Roosevelt Café in Los Feliz; don’t be surprised if you come across a celebrity or two around these parts.
You will then head off into the LA wilderness, where you will hike to the Griffith Observatory as you learn about the history and fables of Hollywood greats.
Entry to the Griffith Observatory is free should you opt to visit after the excursion.
12. Los Angeles at Night 30-Minute Helicopter Flight
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles at Night](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_139879048.jpg)
Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles with a 30-minute flight over the city center.
This is a great way to get a different perspective of LA at night. The flight sets off just north of the Santa Monica Mountains at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.
It takes you on an aerial treat that offers panoramic views of southern California’s landmarks, including the Staples Center, Kodak Theatre (aka the Dolby Theatre), Universal Studios, Dodger Stadium, the Hollywood sign, among others.
This is a tour for everyone, swooping over those iconic landmarks in Hollywood, delivering a splendid experience that’s well worth the price of this package.
13. Los Angeles Romantic Helicopter Tour with Mountain Landing
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles Romantic Helicopter Tour With Mountain Landing](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Los-Angeles-Romantic-Helicopter-Tour-with-Mountain-Landing.jpg)
Want to treat your romantic partner to an experience that will linger long in the memory? Maybe savor a classic date experience just the two of you or remind yourselves how real, proper dates used to be? Maybe a proposal is on the cards…
Whatever the case, this package is carefully designed with two in mind.
Take a 45-minute helicopter tour that whisks you over Hollywood’s top attractions such as the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, the Santa Monica Pier, and celebrity homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Air.
Then land on your own private mountaintop in Malibu that promises breathtaking views of Malibu beach, where you will have 30 minutes to relish in a complimentary toast and sumptuous dessert, complete with a rose to add gloss to your romantic getaway. Memories are made of this.
14. LA Grand Tour
![the original hollywood tour reviews Los Angeles Farmers Market](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ccimage-shutterstock_559478602.jpg)
As the name suggests, this package takes you on a grand tour of Los Angeles that stretches for seven hours, with four well-picked locations to experience the city’s highlights.
You will be picked up from your hotel and head over to Santa Monica Pier, where you will have an hour to admire the views of the Pacific Ocean, take a stroll down the pier and visit 3rd Street Promenade.
The open-top tour bus will then drive you to an outdoor farmer’s market for a one-hour lunch stop. See and taste the best LA has to offer, shop at the Grove in Beverly Hills and enjoy other family-friendly activities in the area.
The third stop will be at the Griffith Observatory, before wrapping it up at the Hollywood Walk of Fame where you can take a pic (or two) with your favorite celeb’s star.
15. Take a Small Group Tour of Hollywood Sign in Luxury Van
![the original hollywood tour reviews Hollywood Sign Small Group Tour In Luxury Van](https://cdn.thecrazytourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Hollywood-Sign-Small-Group-Tour-in-Luxury-Van.jpg)
For many of us, finding ourselves at the Symbol of Dreams Come True is an item we want to cross off our bucket lists.
This one-hour tour will take you right to the top of the Hollywood Sign – the archetypal symbol of Hollywood, or Los Angeles for that matter. You can request to be picked up by the next van if you feel you haven’t had enough of the spectacular views in the time allotted.
Swing by the TCL Chinese Theatre – the famed spot that boasts over 200 Hollywood celebrity handprints and autographs – before stopping briefly at the Dolby Theatre, the home of the Oscars.
15 Best Hollywood Tours:
- Half Day Hollywood and Beverly Hills Tour
- Los Angeles Celebrity Homes Helicopter Flight
- Private Hollywood and Los Angeles in a Day Tour
- Full-Day Los Angeles Tour with Cupcake Tasting and Museum Trip
- Hollywood Bike Tour
- Los Angeles: Movie Stars' Homes Tour
- Go on a Hike in Hollywood Hills
- Los Angeles Small Group Sightseeing Tour in German
- Los Angeles: 1-Hour Flight for 2 Persons
- Go Sightseeing in LA with a Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Ticket
- Hollywood Sign and Griffith Park 2-Hour Hiking Tour
- Los Angeles at Night 30-Minute Helicopter Flight
- Los Angeles Romantic Helicopter Tour with Mountain Landing
- LA Grand Tour
- Take a Small Group Tour of Hollywood Sign in Luxury Van
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://cdn.ventrata.com/image/upload/s--uo7agV4f--/b_transparent,c_pad,g_west,h_90,w_540/v1542040048/bzrfv9n4b40ppinsgrzx.png?_a=BACE6GEv)
- Hop-On Hop-Off Hop-On Hop-Off Tours Timetable and Route Map
- Tours En Español
- Private Tours
- Get the App
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://cdn.ventrata.com/image/upload/s--8XrfZZI7--/ar_3,c_fill,dpr_auto,w_auto/v1706562345/2021HOHOhomebanner_r2brbl.jpg?_a=BACE6GEv)
The Original Celebrity Homes Tour Since 1935 & The Official City Sightseeing Hop On - Hop Off Tour Bus. Departing from Hollywood.
![the original hollywood tour reviews the original hollywood tour reviews](https://cdn.ventrata.com/image/upload/s--zH5DorWA--/ar_1.5,c_fill,dpr_auto,w_auto/v1672776553/s0vvqxcdk2rqou3r1xbo.jpg?_a=BACE6GEv)
+1 (323) 463-3333 [email protected]
6801 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90028
Copyright © Starline Tours 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews BroadwayWorld](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/2017/broadwayworld-new-nonretina-2.png)
Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center
Featuring a star-making turn by OC native Nolan Almeida, this reworked classic directed by Lonny Price is filled with refreshing diversity and endearing silliness.
Admittedly, the 1954 Broadway musical version of J.M. Barrie 's 1904 play PETER PAN is just about the last show I would have expected to get a dazzling, reimagined treatment for the 21st century, but… here we are.
LATEST NEWS
And, you know what, I think many people will welcome the change.
Aimed at offering a timely, more progressive framework that tweaks the infamous story of the magical boy who never wants to grow up, this admirable revised version—featuring a heavily revised book by Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse and is directed by Broadway vet Lonny Price —reflects a purposefully modern approach to the classic story, attempting to balance the original's charm and whimsy with more contemporary sensibilities.
This all-new national touring company is currently at OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, where it continues performances through August 18, 2024.
Per usual, the central beacon of PETER PAN is its renowned title character, here played by the talented, very likable 17-year-old OC native Nolan Almeida . Portraying the young boy who doesn't want to grow up, Almeida is quite a discovery, blessed with a pleasingly beaming personality, an incredible singing voice, and an infectious verve and enthusiasm that bursts through right from his first appearance as he tries to find his lost shadow, then subsequently enchant the three Darling children in their shared nursery and convinces them to join him in his adventures.
![Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Image](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/upload13/2325059/scfta_05_PETER_PAN_2023_0089.jpg)
Ironically, the young actor actually appears more seasoned than his age seems to suggest. Singing, acting, and doing acrobatic flips in the air and on the ground, this energetic teenager is, to put it simply— really , really good at this. Almeida possesses a natural charisma and a youthful zeal, yet sings and acts like a seasoned pro. His performance, actually, has a lot to do with the show's overall enjoyment.
Historically, of course, the role of Peter has primarily been played by women—most famously, of course, original Broadway Peter Pan Mary Martin and, later, Sandy Duncan in its later revival. And logging in, perhaps, the most frequent flyer miles in the role is former Olympian Cathy Rigby —who happened to be in the role the last time I saw this musical, funny enough, at her home theater in La Mirada.
But Almeida's exemplary work in this production certainly makes the case for casting not only an actual young teenager in the role, but also to show that the role is benefitted by casting someone that closely resembles how the character should look and act (think Disney's, arguably, definitive version of the boy who can fly, but in actual human form).
The rest of the cast is pretty great, too, from Peter's deliciously diabolical arch nemesis Captain Hook, played in the hammiest, most wonderfully queerest fashion by Cody Garcia , to the more self-sufficient, more empowered version of Wendy Darling, played by the marvelous, lovely-voiced Hawa Kamara . I also enjoyed Raye Zaragoza 's reimagined Tiger Lily, a sort of spunky, rebel alliance leader-type who happens to sound like an American Idol champion.
Other standouts include the hilarious Kurt Perry as Hook's Man-Friday Mr. Smee and the rest of the Darling clan that includes John played by William Foon , pint-sized Michael played by Camden Kwok , and Mrs. Darling played by Shefali Deshpande (Garcia also does double duty playing Mr. Darling at the beginning and end of the show, continuing the tradition of the original play). Collectively, the entire ensemble is excellent, particularly during rousing group numbers that incorporate the high-energy choreography by Lorin Latarro .
While the musical certainly retains its core narrative—Peter Pan's playful adventures with the Darling children in his magical realm called Neverland—this brand-new, non-Equity touring production's well-meaning major revisions often seek to address cultural sensitivities and update character portrayals for a 21st-century audience.
The results are slightly mixed, but they certainly tip much more towards the positive side of spectrum.
![Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Image](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/upload13/2325059/scfta_01_PETER_PAN_2023_0059.jpg)
Much of the original musical's score—with familiar music by Morris Charlap and Jule Styne and lyrics by Carolyn Leigh , Betty Comden , and Adolph Green —is present in this new iteration, which will please existing fans of the show.
However, today's audiences will likely appreciate that one of the more objectionable songs from the original show, "Ugg-a-Wugg" has been rightly replaced by a new song called "Friends Forever," a reinvention of the song "Come Once In A Lifetime" from the 1961 Comden/Green/Styne musical Subways Are For Sleeping , with new lyrics contributed by Green's own daughter Amanda Green . The new song ends the first act with a celebratory party between Peter and his Lost Boys, their visiting friends, and Tiger Lily's band of island misfits that’s less ick than the previous song that disparaged Native American culture.
The switch-up, of course, is this new production's valiant attempt to erase the unfortunate racist overtones that existed in the original text, and to embrace new book writer FastHorse's goal to make the story incorporate identities that look and speak more like the world we live in today. Part of that is to do away with the original Victorian England setting of the Darling home and move them to present-day America (where the Darling children are watched over by a Bluetooth headphones-clad millennial babysitter instead of a St. Bernard).
Admittedly, this time/location switch is one of the few things that really took me a bit to get used to: the fact that the Darling family in this revised iteration sounds very California-American rather than British. The very British-ness of the original feels like a sacrosanct part of the PETER PAN lore, so it may take a bit of time (as it did for me) before those of us who've grown up seeing (and, well, hearing ) prior characterizations with proper UK accents to acclimate to this new version (it's actually not that hard).
But perhaps one of the more notable changes for this 2024 version is its concerted effort to add more depth to its characters. Peter Pan, historically, has been portrayed as aloof and a little self-involved (as most man-child personas are, I suppose). Here, Peter is often portrayed with more nuance, highlighting a much more palpable fear of growing up and being genuinely afraid of the consequences of perpetual childhood. The gravity-defying kid even gets a new lament song in the form of "When I Went Home," a cut song from the original pre-Broadway production that has been restored in this new iteration to give Peter a bit more grounded gravitas.
Newly feminist Wendy, in particular, is given more agency and complexity, evolving from a play-acting mother figure to a smarter, instinctual character with her own desires and ambitions (her "motherly" nature is tied to her aspirations to go to medical school). And though she's clearly enamored by Peter and his magical abilities, she also knows what she wants and will never let a boy dictate what she should or should not think or do. You go, girl!
![Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Image](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/upload13/2325059/scfta_03_PETER_PAN_2023.jpg)
In addition to this attitude shift, the show's updated dialogue (mentioning mobile phones, pop culture, and even social media) helps the story feel more accessible to contemporary audiences, with humor and references that resonate with modern sensibilities. Themes such as gender roles, the importance of family, and the struggle between youth and maturity are explored with much more introspection and sophistication.
And, of course, one very significant and positive change in the revised musical is its treatment of the former Native American characters—particularly Tiger Lily and her fellow native Neverland-ers that the original story referred to as "Indians" (the Disney adaptation even called them "Red Skins.") Their portraits in the original versions were indisputably problematic, relying on offensive, very dated stereotypes. This newly reimagined production presents these characters with more respect and authenticity, even introducing Tiger Lily's "tribe" as a collection of distinct individuals from different backgrounds, made up of expats from various cultures, backgrounds, and gender identities that have formed a found family here in their new home at Neverland. Each of them, we learn, are the last of their breed and have come here to keep their traditions alive.
But, visually, what is particularly impressive is this revised production's use of much more advanced stage technology, making the flying scenes (choreographed by Paul Rubin ) more dynamic and fantasy-like and the magical elements generally more impressive, thanks to some innovative animated projections by David Bengali , storybook-inspired sets by Anna Louizos , and brilliant lighting by Amith Chandrashaker . This definitely enhances the audience's theatergoing experience with the classic story, especially those versed in theatrically-magical modern shows like WICKED or the recent CINDERELLA revival. Here, the fantastical elements of Neverland come to life in new and exciting ways.
Musically, the show sounds terrific. Not only does the classic score sound amazing (under the baton of music director Jonathan Marro ), but the sound balance for this show has vastly improved over recent musical tours that have visited Segerstrom Center (you can finally hear dialogue and lyrics quite coherently!).
Alas, with the risk of adding complexity in character development, story tweaks, and additional themes, the pacing of the revised musical can sometimes feel uneven, especially when many sequences amp up some of the more erratic moments of chaos and playfulness. Attempts to delve deeper into characters' backstories or explore modernist themes can at times also slow down the still old-school narrative, particularly since PETER PAN, at its core, involves a narrative that thrives on the briskness of child-like adventure and discovery.
![Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Review: A Delightful, Reimagined PETER PAN Musical Flies Into OC's Segerstrom Center Image](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/upload13/2325059/scfta_02b_PETER_PAN_2023_0648_PJZEDIT_v003.jpg)
In summary, this revisionist PETER PAN - THE MUSICAL is, in the sum of its parts, a thoughtful and mostly successful update to a beloved, familiar classic. The show certainly offers a more inclusive and reflective version of the story, while still aiming to capture the magic and wonder that have made Barrie's story such a timeless favorite. However, it does face the challenge of trying to satisfy both new audiences and long-time fans, navigating the tightrope between innovation and tradition—which, I feel, the show definitely fulfills. And with the extremely likable newcomer Almeida flying high above us, you can't help but walk away smiling… and crowing .
* Follow this reviewer on Twitter-X / Instagram / Threads: @cre8iveMLQ *
Photos by Matthew Murphy , courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Performances of PETER PAN - THE MUSICAL continue at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA through August 18, 2024. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. For tickets or more information, visit SCFTA.org .
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
SPONSORED BY THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Los Angeles SHOWS
Recommended For You
![the original hollywood tour reviews broadway world](https://cloudimages.broadwayworld.com/bworld1523/assets/img/newsletter-logo.png)
St. Vincent’s ‘All Born Screaming’ Tour Further Certifies Her as Rock’s Dark (but Oddly Cheerful) Queen: Concert Review
By Chris Willman
Chris Willman
Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic
- Taylor Swift Meets With Families of Girls Caught Up in Southport Stabbing Attack 26 mins ago
- St. Vincent’s ‘All Born Screaming’ Tour Further Certifies Her as Rock’s Dark (but Oddly Cheerful) Queen: Concert Review 17 hours ago
- Taylor Swift’s ‘Poets’ Tops Album Chart for a 15th Week, as Chappell Roan Reaches a New High of No. 2 21 hours ago
![the original hollywood tour reviews st. vincent live tour concert review all born screaming](https://variety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31-_ARI1407_f4421a-e1724021412128.jpg?w=1000&h=667&crop=1)
St. Vincent has done some fairly high-concept tours over the last decade. Going out in support of 2017’s “Masseduction” album, on her synth-pop-glorifying “Fear the Future Tour,” she put pop-art video projections on the big screen, obfuscating masks on her band members, and a lot of latex in the dressing room, to magnify her candy-colored dominatrix look. Conversely, on the tour behind 2021’s “Daddy’s Home,” she combined artifice with actual warmth, letting retro touches push some of the avant-garde flourishes aside. There, she went blond and led a team of backup singers through an old-school soul revue laced with touches of psychedelia.
Related Stories
Hollywood must define ai technical standards to prep for its future , 'it ends with us': justin baldoni's wayfarer studios partners with nonprofit no more to provide resources for survivors of abuse (exclusive), popular on variety.
In the interest of that closeness, we caught her at a rare club show she booked on her current tour, which otherwise has her in sizable halls and amphitheaters. Just before playing to a full house at the Greek Theatre in L.A. over the weekend, St. Vincent performed at a venue about one-sixth the size, the 1000-capacity Knitting Factory in Boise, Idaho. It was as glorious an experience as you’d expect, if you’re a fan, and if you’re a fan of Eye Contact With the Stars. St. Vincent does like to engage the fans in front, on this tour, and if you like the thought of having her shout “ Hey, what are you looking at?” right at you — as she does in “Broken Man,” the first single from “All Born Screaming” — know that she might glare at you like she’s expecting an answer.
Clark made a point of mentioning that she and her band had visited an escape room in Boise on their day off. (She seemed especially delighted that her bass player, Charlotte Kemp Muhl, had seemed to terrify some fair-haired locals on the street outside with her look, which could reasonably be described as a little bit goth.) But escapism , per se, isn’t necessarily St. Vincent’s thing — at least not on “All Born Screaming,” which takes death, mortality and grieving as primary themes.
Clark showed some chutzpah, in that regard, by starting her current setlist off with the slowest and starkest song along those lines from the new album: “Reckless,” the title of of which transmutes into “breathless,” meaning, maybe, deceased. Anyone who’d wandered into the venue just in search of a good time might have wondered what they’d gotten themselves into, with that dramatic and mournful an opening number, with keyboard player Rachel Eckroth playing electronic piano parts that made the song sound like one of Trent Reznor’s least happy melodies. But there’s a reason that “Reckless” makes for such an effective concert opener: once you’ve just about settled into its lulling funereality, it explodes with some pounding half-note power chords, signalling that the somber prologue was ending.
From that omenious opener, it was into the much more energized oldie “Fear the Future,” and the rest of the 80-minute show qualified as a veritable celebration of life. Clark can’t help but see herself as a designated mourner — and that goes for some of the older songs, like “New York” (with its anthemic “I have lost a hero, I have lost a friend” chorus, which never fails to feel touching), as well as new numbers that are themed around loss, like “Sweetest Fruit” and “Hell Is Near.” But the music was so viscerally exciting, and Clark’s demeanor between songs was so friendly, that, well, hell or heaven or whatever awaits seemed very far off. For anyone who gets their kicks from the dynamics of well-played rock ‘n’ roll that feels like something is at stake, it’s hard to imagine a much more high-spirited show.
One of the few things that this tour does have in common with the last is the presence of co-lead guitarist Jason Falkner as her on-stage foil. He gets around, and some music fans will have seen him playing with Beck just prior to the onset of the St. Vincent tour — but Falkner and Beck have a lot less full-body contact than Falkner and Clark do. They are equals in electric-guitar explosiveness, and it was especially a kick when they would play in tandem, as they did in the penultimate “Sugarboy,” doing an intricate twin lead part before breaking off to their own devices, even as they rubbed up against one another’s backs like rambunctious schoolkids.
What’s curious, and fetching, is just what a thoroughly dramatic presence Clark can be on stage — no surprise to anyone who’s been paying attention since 2006 — but then, surprisingly, how friendly she can be to an audience. Taking the long-time Bowie comparisons into account, it’s as if Ziggy Stardust suddenly took time out for a friendly, trivial chat every now and again. She told the Boise audience it was the first time she had ever been in Idaho, and at the concert neared its end,she assured everyone that it had been a fabulous “first date.” The subject matter of her asides covered a lot of ground, from Idaho history to her recent search-engine history. “I want to say everything that I’ve learned about your beautiful city as of yet,” she declared. “According to Wikipedia, Lewis and Clark came over the mountains from Utah, which was very arid, and went, ‘Le bois!’ — and somehow it mutated into ‘Boise,’ and I for one am very happy about that.” She added, “And the second thing I learned about your state is that if you try and just do what a normal person might do on a day off in a beautiful city, which is lie in your hotel bed and look at PornHub, it makes you…” — with the crowd drowning out her explanation of whatever hoop she was required to jump through for that leisure activity.
So, obviously, for however sobering an album “All Born Screaming” is, St. Vincent is not one to wear her funeral veil out on her sleeve very much in a concert. Still, even a newbie to her music would likely suss that there are serious underpinnings to songs that can come off as such fun live. Highlights abounded toward the end of the set, especially her first-ever live performance of one of the best songs from the “Daddy’s Home” album, “Somebody Like Me,” a plaintive ballad of insecurity and hope that is as emotionally simple and plaintive as anything she’s ever done. Who knows why she never busted this beautiful song out on the last tour, or the first half of this one, but it deserves to stay in the setlist forever.
And then she closed the show with the title track from “All Born Screaming,” which, if you were to judge from just the title, sounds like possibly a downer way to end a night of entertainment. But as St. Vincent encouraged the crowd to sing along with the hypnotically repeated title phrase, it became clear: A bit of screamo is not a bad thing in her world, and anyway, it is “all born screaming,” not “all died screaming,” so it’s actually meant to be a gently melodic mantra of hope. By show’s end, she might actually have made everyone feel a little bit born again.
More from Variety
Jared padalecki joins ‘fire country’ season 3 at cbs, ai content licensing deals with publishers: complete updated index, cbs gives drama pilot order to detective drama ‘einstein,’ from ‘monk’ creator, cbs teams with nutime media to sell ads for new soap opera ‘the gates’, ‘deadpool & wolverine’ underscores mcu’s much-needed evolution, cbs orders comedy pilot ‘dmv,’ to develop single-cam ‘eternally yours’ from ‘ghosts’ creators, more from our brands, i took a ride in a ‘self-driving’ tesla and never once felt safe, meghan markle just wore princess diana’s butterfly earrings, pizza, pizza: nfl’s cam jordan acquires little caesars franchises, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, 2024 democratic national convention: watch president joe biden, jill biden, hillary clinton speak on day 1.
Review: Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins take ’90s angst out to the ballpark
Billie Joe Armstrong’s trio played two of its albums in full for the sold-out Target Field crowd.
By Chris Riemenschneider
![the original hollywood tour reviews](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MKXZ4FRJSNDNJCSSZWJTAJAA64.jpg?&w=712)
Journey and Def Leppard will also be repeat players at Target Field when they return there together on Monday, but let’s go ahead and declare Green Day the reigning rockers at the Twins ballpark.
Just as it did when it played Minneapolis’ MLB stadium in 2021 , the anthemic California punk trio hit Target Field on Saturday night with the velocity of a lead-off batter, the oomph of a clean-up hitter and the resilient staying power of a good starting pitcher. This one was another championship showing.
Instead of the more summery and poppy opening acts featured on its 2021 tour, Weezer and Fall Out Boy, this time Green Day came with dark and stormy alt-rock vets Smashing Pumpkins, with whom it first toured in 1994 on the Lollapalooza IV tour.
That choice of co-headliners didn’t kill the fun ballpark vibe. It actually suited Green Day’s game plan for this tour, celebrating the 30th and 20th anniversary of its most angsty and best-loved albums, “Dookie” and “American Idiot.”
Each record was played in full Saturday, resulting in a nearly 2½-hour set. See what I mean about the band showing Jack Morris-like staying power?
The sold-out concert kicked off with what felt like a heartfelt nod to Green Day’s DIY roots. Two other California punk bands about 40 years apart in age, Rancid and teen punks the Linda Lindas, each put on Ramones-paced rapid-fire opening sets.
Rancid had no choice but to hurry. The ska-tinged ruffians had only a half-hour to spotlight boisterous recent tunes such as “Ghost of a Chance” and “Tomorrow Never Comes” alongside ‘90s staples like “Timebomb,” “Ruby Soho” and set highlight “Roots Radicals.” Giving Rancid 10 more minutes would have been way more punk-rock than the time wasted on Green Day’s goofy, extra-long walk-on routine with a dancing bunny mascot.
Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan sort of looked like a vampire mascot when he took the stage in the summer sunlight looking pale and dressed in a long, black tunic. Despite his look, the Chicago rock guru seemed more jovial and gregarious than usual in the summery ballpark setting.
During “Ava Adore,” Corgan atypically pulled a typical Joe Rockstar trick by pointing to different sides of the audience to cheer. He smiled sweetly, too, as audience members sang along to more tender tunes such as “Today” and “1979.” Seemingly just for fun, he also threw in an industrial-goth-flavored remake of U2′s “Zoo Station” heavily fueled by drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.
Chamberlin and guitarist James Iha are aboard from the original Pumpkins lineup, but the band has taken on a more ‘80s-metallic vibe with two new female auxiliary band members who matched Corgan’s dark attire. Grungier classics such as “Bullet With a Butterfly Wings” and the closer “Zero” came off a little campy with the new lineup; or maybe they were just too dark for the bright daylight of the ballpark.
After it finally gave its dancing bunny the hook, Green Day excitedly bounced onto the stage to the tune of “The American Dream Is Killing Me,” one of several songs played from its new album, “Saviors.” From there, it was off to the “Dookie” races.
.rsme-embed .rsme-d-none { display: none; } .rsme-embed .twitter-tweet { margin: 0 !important; } .rsme-embed blockquote { margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; } .rsme-embed.rsme-facebook-embed .fb-post iframe { width: 100% !important; } .rsme-embed.rsme-facebook-embed .fb-post span { width: 100% !important; } .rsme-spinner { border: 3px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.75); border-right-color: transparent; border-radius: 50%; animation: rsme-spin 1s linear infinite; } @keyframes rsme-spin { 0% { transform: rotate(0deg); } 100% { transform: rotate(360deg); } } View post on Instagram
An album laced with the dissatisfied longing and cynical boredom of early adulthood, the youthful qualities of “Dookie” could have seemed out of place now that frontman Billie Joe Armstrong is 52. However, any fan of Minneapolis rock inspirators the Replacements can tell you (including Armstrong himself) that stuff never really gets old — especially when its creators can still play those tunes with abandon.
Armstrong and bandmates Mike Dirnt (bass) and Tré Cool (drums) bashed through songs like “Longview,” “Basket Case” and “Welcome to Paradise” at a breakneck pace. About the only time they eased up to catch their breath was during “When I Come Around,” and that’s because most of the 40,000 fans took over singing duties.
As fun as the “Dookie” performance was, “American Idiot” was even better. It’s a more musically varied, conceptual, roller-coastery and lyrically sharp album. And it has an opening song/title track for the ages.
Armstrong sharpened the title track even more by subbing “MAGA agenda” into the line, “I’m not a part of the redneck agenda.” He otherwise let the songs about America’s rising rifts and dwindling middle class speak for themselves 20 years later. “Jesus of Suburbia” and the Who-like “Homecoming” spoke the loudest, while the mournful “Wake Me Up When September Ends” found the fans at their loudest.
As was the case in his band’s 2021 show, Armstrong ended the night by strumming out one of the best farewell songs in rock ‘n’ roll, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” So much else about the concert was different, though. And yet it had the same ultra-rousing results.
about the writer
Chris riemenschneider.
Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.
More from Music
Review: despite dreading going onstage, irish rock star hozier convinces crowd in st. paul.
![the original hollywood tour reviews Staff headshot](https://arc-authors.stimg.co/arc-authors/startribunemedia/bd107ea1-26ce-4864-a973-dc19b5da87ed.png?&w=28&ar=1:1&fit=crop)
A virus didn’t stop the chatty, charming rocker from delivering “Too Sweet” and “Take Me to Church.”
Review: Night 2 of Metallica’s Minneapolis ‘takeover’ was as commanding as the first
![the original hollywood tour reviews Staff headshot](https://arc-authors.stimg.co/arc-authors/startribunemedia/e7137c30-6764-4d6d-8705-5469700bfb58.png?&w=28&ar=1:1&fit=crop)
After a night off, the metal vets returned strong Sunday to U.S. Bank Stadium with an all-new set list and different openers.
![the original hollywood tour reviews card image](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MKXZ4FRJSNDNJCSSZWJTAJAA64.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Breaking News
Peter Marshall, affable host of NBC’s original ‘Hollywood Squares,’ dies at 98
![the original hollywood tour reviews Peter Marshall, host of the original "Hollywood Squares," in front of the show's set](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9e82ff5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x1001+0+0/resize/1200x801!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F03%2F11%2F7c2a35f94f959f8f612055700b55%2Fpetermarshallhollywoodsquares.jpeg)
- Copy Link URL Copied!
Peter Marshall, who long led NBC’s beloved “Hollywood Squares” game show with his talk show host-style candor, has died. He was 98.
Marshall died Thursday morning of kidney failure surrounded by loved ones at his home in Encino, his family said in a statement to The Times provided by his publicist, Harlan Boll.
“Although as Peter remarked, his cause of death should officially be of boredom,” the family said in the statement.
![the original hollywood tour reviews "Hollywood Squares" host Peter Marshall on the set between two contestants in 1980](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/65c5010/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2377x1542+0+0/resize/1200x778!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F84%2F97%2F47ae3e9f4fae9d9dccf4eb7a695d%2Fgettyimages-141180562a.jpg)
The TV star, who was an actor and singer before becoming a game-show fixture at age 40, hosted more than 5,000 episodes of NBC’s human tic-tac-toe game from 1966 to 1981. On the Daytime Emmy-winning show, Marshall would deliver silly questions that segued into entertaining chitchat and inside jokes with comics such as Joan Rivers, Rose Marie and Paul Lynde — the longtime, snarky center square on the set. The hit show also attracted Hollywood elite, including Aretha Franklin, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ed Asner and Janet Leigh.
“It was the easiest thing I’ve ever done in show business,” Marshall said in a 2010 interview for the Archive of American Television. “I walked in, said, ‘Hello stars,’ I read questions and laughed. And it paid very well.”
When “Hollywood Squares” was canceled and his other television projects had short runs, Marshall turned to other types of live performance , particularly musical theater, and became a regular in touring productions of “La Cage aux Folles” and “42nd Street.”
“Hollywood Squares” later relaunched in syndication, but Marshall was not invited back to helm it.
“Frankly, I was ready for some changes and was prepared for it,” Marshall told The Times in 1987. “I really didn’t, and don’t, miss that ‘TV star’ thing; it really wasn’t that important to me.
“What I do miss are the wonderful people I got to work with. There was Lynde, Vincent Price, Tony Randall, Betty White ... just a great group. They made the show special because they all had style, the type of thing that separates the entities from the nonentities in this business.”
Marshall, a self-described “Depression kid,” said he worked a lot because he had a hard time saying no. He was born Ralph Pierre LaCock in Clarksburg, W. Va., and moved around frequently as a child before relocating to New York. His father, who died when Marshall was 10, occasionally sang in a minstrel act and Marshall’s sister, actor Joanne Dru, worked as a showgirl at the Copa Club.
Money was hard-won, so he and his family members took jobs wherever and whenever they could, he said. Marshall came up singing with big bands, appearing in Las Vegas revues and doing comedy work. He toured as a singer with the Bob Chester Orchestra when he was 15 and worked as an NBC Radio page and an usher at the Paramount Theater, according to the Associated Press. He was drafted during World War II and stationed in Italy, where he spent time as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio.
In 1949, Marshall and Tommy Noonan teamed up and appeared as a comedy duo in nightclubs and theaters, eventually hitting the small screen on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” As a movie contract player at 20th Century Fox, Marshall appeared in 1959’s “The Rookie” and 1961’s “Swingin’ Along.” He also starred opposite Chita Rivera in a 1962 West End production of “Bye Bye Birdie” in London and first starred on Broadway in the 1965 production of “Skyscraper” with Julie Harris. His other Broadway credits include “High Button Shoes,” “The Music Man” and “42nd Street.”
Marshall is survived by his wife, Laurie, and three children: son Pete LaCock, a professional baseball player for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals, and daughters Suzanne and Jaime; as well as 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. His son David died from complications of COVID-19 in 2021.
More to Read
![the original hollywood tour reviews Phil Donahue attends the premiere of the Hulu documentary "Hillary" at the DGA New York Theater on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42aa326/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3391x2268+54+0/resize/320x214!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7e%2Fa1%2F8600911243e8b6162d59afe17aad%2Fap20065659542922.jpg)
Phil Donahue, the pioneering daytime talk show host of long-running ‘Donahue,’ dies at 88
![the original hollywood tour reviews Greg Kihn performs at Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 in Pompano Beach, Fla.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f28326/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5197x3475+0+0/resize/320x214!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff6%2Fdd%2F85493b1f4771b4c20d2f0fbb1575%2Fap18241200218177.jpg)
Greg Kihn, ‘Jeopardy’ singer and Bay Area rock fixture, dies at 75
Aug. 15, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews Bob Newhart](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/714d8b6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2500x1672+0+204/resize/320x214!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fd0%2F1925b5a84a058826c8f866247f4f%2F071138-ca-0929-newhart1.jpg)
Bob Newhart, deadpan comedian who became a sitcom and movie star, dies at 94
July 18, 2024
The complete guide to home viewing
Get Screen Gab for everything about the TV shows and streaming movies everyone’s talking about.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
![the original hollywood tour reviews](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4c8e969/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2891x2891+1658+703/resize/100x100!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F07%2F90%2F546a2cd848d6889e19ac677a1abd%2Fstaff-bio-nardine-saad-02.jpg)
Nardine Saad covers breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin for the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She joined The Times in 2010 as a MetPro trainee and has reported from homicide scenes, flooded canyons, red carpet premieres and award shows.
More From the Los Angeles Times
![the original hollywood tour reviews A view of the Super Blue Moon as seen from the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54eaf3b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3320x2213+146+0/resize/840x560!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2Fef%2F109a186d485f939cd46354407645%2F1341664-la-me-blue-moon-007.jpg)
Rare super blue moon will be in the skies this week. Here’s how to see it
![the original hollywood tour reviews Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark dribbles during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ba90902/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x2560+0+1/resize/840x560!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F32%2F6f%2F8ef703204659bb0a3b86b36caa60%2Fap24232103086491.jpg)
Caitlin Clark gets T for being ‘disrespectful to the game.’ She says WNBA salaries are too
![the original hollywood tour reviews B2B Updates 6-12](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/27f1a99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5472x3648+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd7%2F73%2Fe19b3b954ac4bf5ba37c19c08af6%2Fadobestock-516290951.jpeg)
Science & Medicine
How a dire shortage of video game consoles helped prove that gaming boosts mental health
Aug. 19, 2024
![the original hollywood tour reviews Clear Lake, CA - July 10: The site of the Bloody Island Massacre, a mass killing of indigenous Californians by the U.S. Military that occurred on what was then an island in Clear Lake, California, on May 15, 1850 on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Clear Lake, CA. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5e4815d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x5461+0+1/resize/840x560!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F74%2F10%2Fe7b2ff42452eb9059db8778585e0%2F1465570-me-and-dispute-casino-calif-tribes-jja-0036.jpg)
Climate & Environment
A town’s name recalls the massacre of Indigenous people. Will changing it bring healing?
![](http://adsite.space/777/templates/cheerup/res/banner1.gif)
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Hollywood City Tours: The Original Hollywood Tour - See 2,115 traveler reviews, 307 candid photos, and great deals for Los Angeles, CA, at Tripadvisor.
The Original Hollywood Sign Walking Tour in Los Angeles By Hollywood Hikes 1,412 reviews Recommended by 99% of travelers 1,457 About from $18.00 per adult Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation Ages 0-99, max of 40 per group Duration: 2-3 hours Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket Live guide: English More Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2024 What's ...
Hollywood City Tours: The Original Hollywood Tour - See 2,001 traveler reviews, 260 candid photos, and great deals for Los Angeles, CA, at Tripadvisor.
The 8 Best Hollywood Tours See celebrity homes, top attractions and fun sights on these engaging tours of one of LA's hottest neighborhoods.
This Tour will take you through Hollywood, West Hollywood & Beverly Hills. See your favorite Tour Hot Spots & Star homes on our Open Air Buses.
Spend 2 hours learning the backstories & history behind the city of angels on a guided tour of Hollywood. Visit famed landmarks from the Hollywood Sign, to the Sunset Strip, and the Walk of Fame.
Take an open-air bus tour through Hollywood and Beverly Hills and explore some of the area's landmarks and celebrity homes. See famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, the Walk of Fame, and the Chinese Theatre. Keep an eye out for celebrity sightings as you drive through Beverly Hills and view the homes of Tom Cruise, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio and many more.
Join your guide for a 2.5-hour walking tour that combines sightseeing in the hills of Los Angeles with a vigorous walk up to the Hollywood sign. Learn about the history of Los Angeles on an entertaining hike that takes in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills neighborhood, and the Hollywood sign, and offers views of Burbank, the San Fernando Valley, and all of Los Angeles.
LA, Hollywood City Tour If you want to experience the best L.A. has to offer in a single sightseeing outing, the L.A., Hollywood City Tour is for you! StarLine Tours, the Original Hollywood tour since 1935, is the longest-running and most respected tour company in Los Angeles.
Movie enthusiasts experience the glamour of old Hollywood on this half-day sightseeing tour celebrating the movie industry's golden age. Enjoy the must-see sights in Beverly Hills and Hollywood, and learn about the stars and studios that brought the joy of Hollywood movies to the world. On your tour, pass the original film studios, see historic celebrity estates, and stop for a photo op in ...
Los Angeles Original 90-Minute Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign By Bikes And Hikes LA Tours 322 reviews Recommended by 98% of travelers 221 About from $19.00 per adult Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay later Free cancellation Ages 7-97, max of 100 per group Duration: 1h 30m Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket Live guide ...
Specialties: Tour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. See your favorite Tour Hot Spots & Star homes on our Open Air Buses.
Hollywood tours are in no short supply, from the open-top vans that line the Hollywood Walk of Fame to intimate walking tours. At their best, they take the guesswork out of exploring major tourist ...
Reviews on The Original Hollywood Tour in Los Angeles - Hollywood City Tours, Access Hollywood Tours, TMZ Celebrity Tour, Legends Of Hollywood Tours, Ultimate Hollywood Tours, Paramount Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Glitterati Tours, LA Double Decker, Movie Star Home Tours
83 reviews and 70 photos of Hollywood City Tours "We had Jason as our tour guide for the seven hour trip, and was amazing. He provided us with a thorough tour of the celebrity homes, took us to the farmers market, Santa Monica pier, Griffith observatory, and the walk of fame.
The Original Hollywood Tour - 2 Hour Tour: This Tour will take you through Hollywood, West Hollywood & Beverly Hills. See your favorite Tour Hot Spots & Star homes on our Open Air Buses. The Grand Tour - 4 Convenient Stops - 7 Hour Tour: This Tour will take you through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Santa Monica Beach on our Open ...
Enjoy the best tour package Hollywood has to offer with The Original Hollywood Tour 2 Hours -or- The Grand Tour 7 Hours
LA Tour - 4 Convenient Stops - 7 Hour Tour - This Tour will take you through Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Santa Monica Beach on our Open Air Buses.
Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, tour a studio back lot, and much more with this list of 15 best Hollywood tours. 1. Half Day Hollywood and Beverly Hills Tour. Source: Sean Pavone / shutterstock. Hollywood Boulevard. If you want to acquaint yourself with Hollywood, this is just the tour for you. It takes you on a sightseeing mission of ...
This tour isn't just about sightseeing—it's about diving into the heart of Hollywood's glittering world. Whether you're a movie buff or simply fascinated by celebrity culture, this tour promises thrills and unforgettable memories. Discover the lavish homes of Hollywood's biggest stars and let the magic of Hollywood sweep you off your feet.
The Original Celebrity Homes Tour Since 1935 & The Official City Sightseeing Hop On - Hop Off Tour Bus. Departing from Hollywood.
See 876 reviews and photos of the Los Angeles: The Original Hollywood Sign Hike Walking Tour. 2024 Walking & Biking Tours in USA.
From Jon Stewart's live 'The Daily Show' taping to John Legend's concert for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, The Hollywood Reporter has rounded up details on Democratic shindigs in the Windy City.
2 Full Cast Set for A BEAUTIFUL NOISE National Tour 3 Full Cast Set For North American Tour of SOME LIKE IT HOT And, you know what, I think many people will welcome the change. Aimed at offering a ...
Hiking Tours in Los Angeles: Check out 490 reviews and photos of Viator's Los Angeles Original 90-Minute Walking Tour to The Hollywood Sign
St. Vincent has done some fairly high-concept tours over the last decade. Going out in support of 2017's "Masseduction" album, on her synth-pop-glorifying "Fear the Future Tour," she put ...
Instead of the more summery and poppy opening acts featured on its 2021 tour, Weezer and Fall Out Boy, this time Green Day came with dark and stormy alt-rock vets Smashing Pumpkins, with whom it ...
M. Night Shyamalan is no stranger to high-concept thrillers. His latest film, Trap, takes a Silence of the Lambs-inspired approach at an unlikely location: a packed concert by pop star Lady Raven ...
Topline "It Ends With Us" actor-director Justin Baldoni reportedly hired a crisis public relations manager amid speculation that the film's cast, including Baldoni and actor-producer Blake ...
The TV star, who was an actor and singer before becoming a game-show fixture at age 40, hosted more than 5,000 episodes of NBC's human tic-tac-toe game from 1966 to 1981.