1999 Movies
American Beauty Filming Locations – Winnetka,Ca / 1999
American Beauty Filming Locations – Winnetka,Ca / 1999
Did you know that the 1999 critically acclaimed film “American Beauty,” starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, and Thora Birch, was primarily filmed in California, specifically in Los Angeles? The movie utilized several filming locations throughout the city, with many situated in areas such as Canoga Park, Torrance, Burbank, Chatsworth, and South Bay, Los Angeles.
These locations provided a fitting backdrop for the film’s themes of suburban life and societal pressures, adding to the overall atmosphere and impact of the movie. Fans of the film can now visit these iconic filming locations and experience the magic of “American Beauty” firsthand. With its vast array of settings and stunning scenery, it’s no wonder why Los Angeles remains a popular choice for many filmmakers.
Mr Smily’s
In the film “American Beauty,” Lester, played by Kevin Spacey, lands a job at Mr. Smily’s fast food restaurant. Interestingly, the Mr. Smily’s location used in the film is actually a Carl’s Jr. restaurant situated on Saticoy Street in the city of Winnetka, California.
The fast food restaurant serves as a symbol of Lester’s midlife crisis and his decision to break free from his mundane lifestyle. The location’s appearance in the film adds to its allure as a popular filming location for many Hollywood movies. Fans of “American Beauty” can now visit this Carl’s Jr. restaurant and relive some of the film’s most memorable moments. MAP IT!! google street view: 20105 Saticoy St Canoga Park, CA 91306
Lester’s House
In the classic movie “American Beauty,” Lester’s family home was brought to life through the combination of two exquisite properties. The first property is a private two-story house located at 11388 Homedale St in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Its luxurious amenities, elegant design, and spacious rooms made it an excellent choice for the creation of Lester’s family home. MAP IT!! google street view: 11388 Homedale St Los Angeles, CA 90049
The second property used in the construction of Lester’s family home is located on Blondie Street at the Warner Bros Ranch Back-lot in Burbank, California.
The natural beauty and versatility of this location made it an ideal choice for the film’s production team. The property has a long history of being used as a backdrop for various movies and TV shows, making it an excellent option for creating the perfect setting for Lester’s family home.
The combination of these two exceptional properties in the creation of Lester’s family home resulted in a masterpiece of architectural design. The house reflects the character of the film’s protagonist and his family and perfectly captures the essence of their lifestyle. The house’s design, decor, and luxurious amenities are essential elements of the film’s narrative, representing the family’s social status and financial success. MAP IT!! google street view: Warner Bros. Ranch – Blondie Street
A fun film fact is that the same home used in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, starring Chevy Chase, was used in another popular movie. This iconic house, located at 1326 Blondie Street on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California, has become a well-known filming location due to its stunning scenery and versatility.
“The High School”
The high school used in the movie is a real high school called South High School located in Torrance, California on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). MAP IT!! google street view: 4801 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance, CA 90505
‘Colonel’s House’
Two separate houses were used as the Colonel’s House. One house was located on S. Windsor St in Los Angeles, and the other is located on the Warner Bros. Ranch back-lot in Burbank, CA.
Unknown Location
The open house scene was filmed somewhere in Chatsworth, California Got a Tip?
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‘American Beauty’
When: 10/01/1999 , DreamWorks SKG
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch
Directed By: Sam Mendes
Written By: Alan Ball
First Published: Apr 21, 2016, 5:00
Updated: Nov 22, 2021
Behind The Scenes | It Was Filmed Here | Where Was It Filmed?
