If you’ve ever found yourself strolling down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, admiring the golden stars beneath your feet, you’ve probably had the distinct feeling that you’re being watched. Look up at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, and you’ll see the culprit: a massive, roaring Tyrannosaurus rex bursting right out of a rooftop.
It’s not a movie prop left behind by Steven Spielberg, and it’s not a glitch in the matrix. It’s the resident prehistoric king of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood, and it has been turning heads for over three decades.
But why exactly is there a dinosaur in Hollywood? Let's dive into the history of Hollywood’s most delightfully bizarre fixture.
A Match Made in Odd History
Ripley’s and Hollywood go way back. In fact, our legendary founder, Robert Ripley, actually has his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! So it only made sense that the Believe It or Not! Attraction found a permanent home here.
Ripley’s officially moved into the historic building at Hollywood and Highland in 1992. But the rooftop felt like it was missing a little... pizazz . Enter our prehistoric friend. In 1993, the giant T. rex was added to the roof, appearing to smash through the building's brickwork.
Since then, the dinosaur has become as much a fixture of the local landscape as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the El Capitan Theatre, or Bob Hope Square. You truly haven't experienced the real Hollywood Boulevard until you've taken a selfie with a rooftop apex predator.
Pop Culture Royalty (and a GTA Cameo)
Because it sits at one of the most famous intersections on Earth, Ripley's dinosaur has secretly become one of the most filmed landmarks in Los Angeles.
Have you ever caught a glimpse of it while watching a movie? Ripley's Believe It or Not! Hollywood and its prehistoric mascot have served as the backdrop for countless films and TV shows utilizing the historic street, including The Muppets movie, Scream 3 , and various reality shows and late-night segments. It has played host to massive internet royalty like Smosh, and if you’re a gamer, you’ve almost certainly seen it parodied in Grand Theft Auto V as the iconic “ Bishop’s WTF?! ” building.
Shaping the Subconscious of Hollywood Creators
There is something beautifully surreal about a dinosaur towering over palm trees and celebrity stars. For over 30 years, this strange character and the mind-bending contents inside Ripley's Believe It or Not! Hollywood has helped shape the subconscious of Hollywood.
Part of the fun is that our T. rex is a bit of a fashion icon. Depending on when you visit, you might catch him dressed up for various holidays, whether he’s sporting giant heart-shaped sunglasses for Pride, getting spooky for Halloween, or donning Santa gear for the winter holidays.
Step Inside: Celebrity Highlights Like You've Never Seen Them
While the dinosaur commands the skyline, what's waiting for you inside is even more unbelievable. You can’t visit Hollywood without seeing some celebrities, but at Ripley’s, you’ll see them in ways that defy explanation.
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Pop Culture Icons in Strange Mediums: See portraits of your favorite stars meticulously crafted from unexpected materials like candy, retro audio cassettes, or even pocket lint.
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Historic Wardrobe Pieces: Get up close and personal with genuine pieces of celebrity history and bizarre movie memorabilia that you won't find in any standard museum.
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Interactive Marvels: From shrunken heads to optical illusions, it's a multi-sensory journey through the world's most fascinating anomalies.
Plan Your Visit to Ripley's Hollywood!
The next time you find yourself exploring the Walk of Fame, don't just look down at the stars; look up at the dinosaur! Then, step through the doors at Ripley's Hollywood to experience the strange, the wonderful, and the downright unbelievable.