1

Kathleen Kennedy

Image: Thea Hdc

Kathleen Kennedy has been a part of many of the greatest movies of the last 35 years. She’s been involved with almost every Steven Spielberg movie since Raiders of the Lost Ark, but also Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Sixth Sense, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , to name a few. Also, she is the president of Lucasfilm following its sale to Disney.

2

Reed Hastings

Image: Jakob Owens

Netflix’s co-founder Reed Hastings is a big name in the entertainment business, helping distribute some of the world’s most-viewed television shows over the last years.

With a background in technology and software, Hastings capitalized on the changing media consumption behaviors and created something that took the media business by storm.

3

Bob Iger

Image: Clyde He

Quite probably the most influential person in Hollywood, Bob Iger presides over the industry’s largest and most influential entertainment business, the Disney brand. Add 21st Century Fox, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar , and a few other things, and you have a modern-day media empire.

4

Kevin Feige

Image: Brands&People

Arguably the most successful film producer of all time, Kevin Feige has championed the superhero cinematic universe that has swept over Hollywood in the last decades, whether you like it or not.

5

Dana Walden

Image: J. Schiemann

Dana Walden was a key figure in Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox TV , which she built into a powerhouse over two decades. She is also in charge of ABC Studios, ABC Entertainment, Freeform, and Hulu .

6

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

A true household name, Oprah Winfrey is one of America’s most trusted stars . She also writes bestsellers, has her own cable network (OWN), and is involved in infinite ventures in the entertainment landscape.

7

J.J. Abrams

Image: Billy Freeman

The name behind some of the biggest blockbusters of the last 30 years, J.J. Abrams, is one of the most sought-after directors and producers in all of Hollywood. He is responsible for movies like Armageddon, several Mission: Impossible installments, and a couple of Star Wars films , to name a few.

8

Shonda Rhimes

Image: Jakob Owens

As the creator and showrunner of Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton, Scandal, Private Practice, How to Get Away with Murder , and many other series, Shonda Rhimes has been a strong presence in Hollywood since the early 2000s and has been featured multiple times in the Times 100 Most Influential People on the World list.

9

Steven Spielberg

Image: Mirko Fabian

Probably the person most of us would expect to be on this list, Steven Spielberg has shaped America and the world’s pop culture with some of the most successful and influential films ever made . His presence has been a force to be reckoned with and a strong influence in Hollywood since the mid-1970s.

10

James Cameron

Image: Kyle Loftus

The man behind blockbusters like Titanic, Terminator, and Avatar , among many others, has kept himself busy diving to the deepest point in the ocean, creating documentaries, series, producing, directing, writing, and more for a few decades now and his work is embedded in pop culture, in a similar way to Spielberg and our next entry.

11

Stephen King

Image: Vitalii Onyshchuk

The man responsible for some of the biggest film classics, not just in the horror genre but in many others as well, didn’t even intend to go into the movie business in the first place.

As one of America’s more successful contemporary writers, Stephen King has created stories that started as bestsellers and eventually found their way into Hollywood. From Carrie, Cujo, Pet Sematary, The Shining, to Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, Stand By Me , and countless others, his stories are the basis for some of the biggest blockbusters that Hollywood has ever seen.

1

Lambeau Field

Image: Sunil GC

Lambeau Field is one of the USA’s most iconic venues. Holly ground for the fans of Wisconsin’s Green Bay Packers, this stadium can seat 81,441 spectators.

Lambeau has witnessed countless legendary moments in NFL history, from Vince Lombardi's coaching triumphs to Brett Favre's heroics and Aaron Rodgers' artistry.

The "Frozen Tundra" has also hosted memorable concerts, with artists like Paul McCartney and Kenny Chesney electrifying the crowd.

2

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Image: Chrishaun Byrom

Georgia’s favorite is Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A striking architectural marvel built to seat over 71,000 spectators, and made as a multi-purpose venue.

That means it has seen unforgettable games by the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United FC, as well as the Super Bowl LIII, the 2018 MLS Cup Final, and the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Giant artists like Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé did take center stage there as well.

3

Michigan Stadium

Image: Aditi Bhanushali

"The Big House" is colossal: With over 107,000 seats, it’s the largest stadium in the United States . At least for now!

The venue is home to the University of Michigan Wolverines and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It has seen games like the annual clash with Ohio State to the pageantry of homecoming.

The Big House has also hosted other events, like NHL games and international soccer games.

4

Dodger Stadium

Image: Jakob Owens

This beloved icon nestled in the hills of Los Angeles, California, is a favorite both because of its sweeping LA view and for its history.

With a seating capacity of over 56,000, this classic venue has been home to the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1962. It has been home to countless thrilling moments, from World Series victories to legendary pitching performances.

Beyond baseball, it has also hosted significant events, including concerts by The Beatles and Elton John, papal visits, and even Olympic ceremonies.

5

Arrowhead Stadium

Image: Samuel Myles

The roaring kingdom of the Chiefs is Arrowhead Stadium. This iconic cauldron is renowned for its deafening atmosphere, often called one of the loudest in the NFL.

It can seat over 76,000 spectators and has been the stage for countless memorable moments, from nail-biting playoff games to Super Bowl victories. Of course, it has also housed legendary musicians like The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift in front of electrifying crowds.

6

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Image: David McBee

Oriole Park at Camden Yards revolutionized the way baseball stadiums were built. With a seating capacity of over 45,000, this iconic Baltimore venue ushered in the era of "retro-classic" ballparks .

Camden Yards has witnessed Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-breaking consecutive games streak and numerous playoff runs. It also hosts major concerts: The first one was the one Billy Joel gave in 2019.

7

Yankee Stadium

Image: David Vives

The Old Yankee Stadium may have been "The House That Ruth Built," but its younger sibling is still carrying forward a legacy of decades.

The original structure held over 57,000 fans, slightly more than the new one, which opened in 2009 to offer modern amenities. It carries the spirit of its predecessor, which witnessed 27 World Series championships and countless legendary moments, from Babe Ruth's towering home runs to Lou Gehrig's farewell speech.

8

United Center

Image: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

The United Center is dear to Chicago fans for being home to both the Chicago Bulls of the NBA and the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL. It may not be the largest arena, but it has witnessed Michael Jordan's legendary performances and six championship runs!

Blackhawks fans cherish the memories of their own Stanley Cup victories celebrated within its walls. It has also become a major concert venue where popular artists celebrate sold-out shows.

9

Rose Bowl

Image: BookBabe

The Rose Bowl is a National Historic Landmark. Nestled in the Arroyo Seco of Pasadena, California, this one is a stadium steeped in tradition.

The college football classic Rose Bowl Game is held here annually to a sweeping audience of around 92,000 in attendance. It has also hosted two Super Bowls, the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final, and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.

10

Madison Square Garden

Image: Pedro Bariak

"The World's Most Famous Arena" is even more than that: it’s a legendary landmark in the heart of New York City. Its current structure is its fourth iteration, but it remains a classic venue for unforgettable events.

Home to the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL), the Garden has witnessed countless thrilling games and championship victories. It’s also been the stage for some of the most memorable concerts in music history, featuring legendary artists from Elvis Presley to Beyoncé.

11

Wrigley Field

Image: Heather Maguire

Wrigley Field is a beloved baseball shrine in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood. Home to the Chicago Cubs, it has been a cherished landmark since 1914.

Wrigley's ivy-covered walls, hand-operated scoreboard , and vintage atmosphere evoke a sense of nostalgia that few stadiums can match. Beyond baseball, Wrigley has also hosted concerts by major artists like Pearl Jam and Guns N’ Roses, and even a few NFL games in its early years.

12

Fenway Park

Image: Clark Van Der Beken

Finally, there’s Fenway Park, Boston’s center of Red Sox fans. As the oldest ballpark in MLB, Fenway has been the subject of several renovations and is today full of quirks, like the towering Green Monster wall, or the totem-like Pesky's Pole .

In 2021, Fenway was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

1

The original sign read "Hollywoodland"

Imagine driving through Los Angeles and suddenly seeing a giant new word stretched across a hillside, where nothing had stood before. The sign that appeared on Mount Lee in 1923 read "Hollywoodland," with 13 enormous letters rising above Beachwood Canyon. Each letter was about 43 feet tall and 30 feet wide, making the advertisement impossible to miss.

Modern period movies sometimes restore that original view. Ruben Fleischer’s 2013 film Gangster Squad is set in 1949 and opens with a shot that moves from Griffith Observatory toward the complete "Hollywoodland" sign. The extra four letters immediately place the story in an earlier Los Angeles, before the landmark took its familiar form.

2

It advertised real estate

No one involved in putting up the sign could have imagined how iconic it would become. Before the sign was a celebration of Hollywood’s film industry, it advertised Hollywoodland, a new upscale neighborhood in the hills . A group of real estate investors, including Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler, supported the project and spent about $21,000 on the giant sign.

The development itself was already a large project. A 1923 advertisement said that 200 men were working there, seven miles of roads had been built, and huge amounts of dirt had been removed. The sign was simply the biggest part of the sales campaign.

3

It was supposed to be temporary

The Hollywood sign wasn’t meant to last forever. The developers expected it to stay on the hillside for only about 18 months. But that deadline passed, and the sign was still useful for attracting buyers to Hollywoodland, so no one rushed to take it down.

As the years went by, the giant letters became a familiar part of the Los Angeles landscape, especially as the movie industry nearby continued to grow. After the development had sold its properties, the company transferred the sign and the surrounding land to the City of Los Angeles in 1944. By then, the temporary billboard had already been standing over the city for more than 20 years.

4

Thousands of bulbs lit the letters

For Los Angeles residents in the 1920s, the Hollywoodland sign must have looked more like a giant theater marquee than a roadside billboard. As it was designed to stand out after dark just as much as during the day, about 4,000 light bulbs, each rated at 20 watts, covered its metal panels. Placed only eight inches apart, they turned the hillside into an enormous electric display.

And the whole sign didn’t light up at once. First came "Holly," followed by "wood" and then "land," before the complete name appeared. There was even a 35-foot illuminated dot beneath the letters, acting like a giant period at the end of the word.

5

The "Land" section disappeared in 1949

By the late 1940s, the sign had fallen into such poor condition that city officials considered tearing it down. Residents pushed back, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce offered to help restore it. But there was one major change: the last four letters had to disappear.

In April 1949, the city approved a plan to rebuild the missing "H," remove "LAND," and repair the remaining letters. On September 26, "Hollywoodland" officially became "Hollywood." That small change gave the sign a completely new meaning. It no longer advertised a housing development; it now represented the entire Hollywood district.

6

The original letters slowly collapsed

The 1949 repairs helped for a while, but they didn’t fix the sign’s deeper structural problems. Its metal panels and supporting framework were still exposed to years of sun, rain, wind, termites, neglect, and vandalism. By the 1960s and 1970s, the landmark looked rusty, uneven, and was close to falling apart.

In fact, parts of it did fall down the mountain. The top of the "D" collapsed, the third "O" disappeared completely, and an arsonist damaged the bottom of the second "L." Even after Los Angeles designated the sign a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1973, its condition continued to deteriorate. At that point, another coat of paint was not going to be enough.

7

The sign was rebuilt in 1978

What would Hollywood do if its most famous sign disappeared? Small repairs were no longer enough by the end of the 1970s. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce decided that all nine letters had to be replaced, and workers took down the original sign in August 1978, leaving the hillside completely bare for about three months.

This time, the sign was built to last. The new letters were made of steel and enamel and secured with concrete, creating a structure of about 194 tons. The new sign imitated the original and was completed in November 1978. So, t he letters visitors see today aren’t from 1923, but a recovered version of the landmark.

8

Celebrities helped pay for new letters

The project cost about $250,000, and Hollywood raised it the only way it knew how: with famous names and a big party. Hugh Hefner held a party at the Playboy Mansion, where donors could pay about $27,700 to sponsor one of the nine new letters.

Several famous names joined the campaign. Alice Cooper paid for the third "O" in honor of comedian Groucho Marx. Singer Andy Williams sponsored the "W," while Gene Autry and television station KTLA helped pay for the second "L." Warner Bros. Records, Kelley Blue Book founder Les Kelley, and other supporters also helped rebuild the famous sign.

9

The sign has been altered several times

Those giant white letters have always attracted pranksters, students, activists, and advertisers who wanted to display their own messages above Los Angeles. Most of them didn’t remove or damage the original letters. By covering only certain parts of the sign with fabric, plastic, or curtains, they could make the sign appear to spell a completely different word . These changes were usually temporary, lasting only long enough to promote an event, support a cause, or play a public joke.

On New Year’s Day in 1976, art student Daniel Finegood used about $50 worth of curtains to change the sign to "Hollyweed." In 1987, it became "Holywood" during Pope John Paul II’s visit. The sign has also been changed for official promotions, including "FOX" for the television network and "Go Navy" for an Army-Navy football game.

10

An advertisement became an icon

Los Angeles officially named the sign Historic-Cultural Monument No. 111 in 1973, recognizing that the former advertisement had become an important part of the city’s history. Five years later, during the campaign to rebuild the damaged letters, the Hollywood Sign Trust was created to help protect the landmark for future generations.

Since then, the organization has overseen repairs, repainting, security, and other improvements needed to keep the sign standing on the hillside. The sign represented much more than a place on a map; it’s a symbol of Hollywood dreams and the hope of turning them real.