A tragic chapter unfolded in Los Angeles history as the Andrew McNally House, a mansion steeped in over a century of cinematic and cultural significance, was destroyed in the raging wildfires consuming parts of Southern California.
The historic Altadena property, a fixture in films and TV shows, was among the casualties as flames tore through neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Eaton. The 19th-century home had been a recurring star in Hollywood productions, most recently serving as a set for HBO’s critically acclaimed series Hacks.
It also featured in the 2001 film Kingdom Come and an early episode of Entourage. Its legacy dates back to the silent film era, with scenes from Max Linder’s 1921 comedy Seven Years Bad Luck shot there.
“Hacks” was the last series to film at the McNally House
Photographs captured the once-majestic house engulfed in flames, leaving behind little but ashes. Built by Andrew McNally, the co-founder of mapping giant Rand-McNally, the estate had changed hands over the years, most recently selling in 2021 for $3 million.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Hacks locations manager Scott Kradolfer. “We’d already filmed there for the fourth season, but we were unsure if Deborah Vance would return to that iconic roof again.” The house was a key location for the show, where Jean Smart’s character navigated her career as a fading comedian aiming for a comeback.
Several Hollywood stars have lost their homes in the wildfires
The devastation isn’t confined to Hollywood’s history. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, John Goodman, and Tina Knowles are among the thousands whose properties have been affected or destroyed. As the wildfires continue to wreak havoc, productions like Hacks have paused filming, leaving uncertainty about their future plans.
With the fires still raging, the scale of destruction remains unclear. For now, the loss of the Andrew McNally House is a sobering reminder of how quickly history-and Hollywood’s roots-can go up in smoke.