Some people have become obsessed by “celebrities” and it can get very unhealthy. The news is full of stories of celebrities who’ve found themselves being stalked by overly-fanatical fans and I’m definitely not condoning that kind of behavior in How to Guarantee Seeing a Celebrity in LA! The first thing to know about famous people (and I’ve got this on good authority, I don’t know many) is that they’re just people, exactly like you and me. Well not exactly like me (I’mnot rich or famous), but you know what I mean.
If you do come across someone famous while you’re in Los Angeles (probably by following this guide), please be respectful. Remembering that they live here and that, though seeing them may be a big deal for you (and maybe millions of others), they’re just going about their everyday life. Nevertheless, there are likely actors, artists or singers that you like, and in whom you’ve become interested, perhaps because you’ve grown-up with them or they’ve touched you in some significant way, and it can be very rewarding to see them in the flesh. I know it has been for me.
10 Legit Ways to See Someone Famous in LA
Before I delve into how to guarantee seeing a celebrity here, let me start by letting you in on a secret. I can guarantee that you WON’T see someone famous while doing any of the celebrity homes minivan tours that run from Hollywood Boulevard. No self-respecting celebrity is going to let themselves be seen by them if they can help it (and they can – that’s why they’ve got security). Legitimate stars don’t want to encourage the tour operators to hound them anymore than they already do!
There’s a plethora of articles and blogs about LA that share tips with eager visitors on where they can find these mythic creatures, from hip bars in Silverlake to hidden eateries on Melrose, but there are exactly 10 ways to GUARANTEE seeing a celebrity in LA. In fact, if you follow this guide, you’ll not only see the celebrity but probably hear from them too.
1. GO TO A HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR DEDICATION CEREMONY
Celebrities (if they’re alive) are obliged to go to the unveiling of their own star on the Walk of Fame and they usually bring along a few of their (famous) friends. You can just show up at the ceremony, where they give a speech, sign autographs and take selfies with fans. There are dedication ceremonies on an almost weekly basis,check here for news on upcoming events.
We’ve often seen these ceremonies while we’re on the Real Hollywood or LA in a Day tours, since they’re usually in the morning.
After the ceremony why not go to Musso and Frank Grill, opposite the Egyptian Theatre, for lunch? It’s a popular spot for the Hollywood crowd, and if you don’t want to eat you can just sit at the bar and watch.
2. GO TO A RED-CARPET MOVIE PREMIERE GALA
TCL Chinese Theatre,El Capitan Theatreandvarious other movie theatresaround town hold film premieres, where most of the cast of will show up to give speeches, sign autographs and take selfies with fans. They’re free to attend and always fun.
3. GO TO AN IMPRINT CEREMONY AT THE TCL CHINESE THEATRE
Several times a month there’s an imprint ceremony in the famous forecourt of the Chinese Theatre. What could be more Hollywood than seeing your famous star putting their hands and feet into wet concrete? Even for the biggest stars getting honored in this way is a big deal.Check here for details.
4. GO TO A TELEVISION SHOW TAPING
A lot of TV shows tape in front of a live audience. That includes big sit-coms (likeFriendsandSeinfeldin the past, and many network shows now) and chat-shows. It’s free, it can be a lot of fun (the producers need to keep it that way, so you keep laughing at their jokes) and you can see how the whole thing works, but you need to sign up online. Make sure you turn up early too, as these events are always over-subscribed.
Check here for an updated list of shows that tape with live audiences in Los Angeles, with links to obtain tickets.
5. GO TO THE THEATRE
Los Angeles may not be a theatre town, like New York or London, but we do have a lot of great theatre here, believe it or not. Why not go and see some while you’re here? The Center Theatre Groupis the main Broadway style theatre company in Los Angeles and a lot of very famous actors have appeared in their plays. But there are also performances atthe Center for the Art of Performance UCLA,the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Artsandthe Odyssey Theatre.
If you like stand-up comedy, keep an eye out for performances atthe Pantages Theatreand other venues too.
6. GO TO A FILM OR TV SHOW SCREENING
Every week there are movie and Television show screenings, followed by Q and A’s, at venues likethe Paley Center,the American Cinematheque,the New Beverly Cinemaandthe Ace Hotel in DTLA. If you go to one you may be able to ask your favorite actor that burning question you’ve always wanted answered. And they’ll have to respond.
7. GO TO A CONCERT
There are concerts, featuring the very biggest artists out there, in Los Angeles all the time. Why not enjoy one while you’re here? Do this and we guarantee seeing a celebrity in LA!Check here for updated listings.
8. GO TO A SPORTS MATCH
We’ve got a LOT of great sport and great sports teams here in Los Angeles.The Los Angeles Dodgers,The Los Angeles Lakers,the Los Angeles Clippers,The Los Angeles Kings,the Los Angeles Chargers,the Los Angeles Rams,L.A. GalaxyandLos Angeles F.C.all call the city home. Catch a game. All of these teams have celebrity fans, who’ll often show up to games, and you’re guaranteed to see the team’s stars.
9. GO TO A FAMOUS AUTHOR’S BOOK-SIGNING
If the stars you’re interested in are writers (and some writers are big stars, such as J.K. Rowling) then why not go to an author book-signing or reading?Vroman’s Bookstore, in Pasadena, as well asCentral Libraryandthe Last Bookstore, both in DTLA, all have events of this type on a regular basis.
10. GO TO A HALL OF FAME INDUCTION & PERFORMANCE AT THE GRAMMY MUSEUM
Every month the Grammy Museum, in downtown, holds events to honor music artists which you can attend and it hosts the annual Grammy Awards Show itself, which obviously has a host of star artists performing.Check out what’s happening there while you’re in Los Angeles here.
To learn more about how Los Angeles was ground zero for the birth of celebrity culture a hundred years ago, read Beverly Hills and the Stars Houses Tour.
If you have any feedback on How to Guarantee Seeing a Celebrity in LA please email us or reach out on social media, we’d love to hear from you.
– By Damien Blackshaw. (Twitter)
