Madame Tussauds-Hollywood

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While star power is ever-present on the streets of LA, getting a chance to actually hang out with celebrities is less likely. However, at Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood location it is possible to get up close and personal with the next best thing: celebrity wax figurines.

Madame Tussauds-Hollywood History

The history of the Madame Tussaud’s franchise begins in 18th century France. It is there that a young girl named Marie Grosholtz was first introduced to the art of wax sculpting by Dr. Philippe Curtius. As her mother’s employer, Dr. Curtius was around quite a bit while Marie was growing up and taught her the art and science of wax modeling.

The influence of human anatomy was present in Marie’s earliest work. Indeed, her first model, of the French philosopher Voltaire, was made in 1777, when Marie was a mere 16 years old. Soon after the beginning of the French Revolution continued to influence and inspire Marie regarding the benefit of human sculpture. She travelled throughout Europe showcasing the figures she created to replicate the heroes and villains of her time. She also included the work of Dr. Curtius along with her own after he died in 1794.

Finally, in 1835, Marie and her husband Francois Tussaud decided to settle down and chose a location on the famous Baker Street in London. This was the first permanent location for Marie’s work, which operated until her death in 1850. Then, in 1883, as a result of ever-rising costs associated with its original location, the gallery of Marie’s work was relocated to Marlybone Road. This purpose-built site remains the home of the London-based Madame Tussauds even as the franchise broke away from Marie’s work, deciding to focus instead on celebrity wax figures.

Madame Tussaud’s museums of wax figurines exist today in over 15 locations on four continents. In the United States, the Hollywood location is a popular tourist location for visitors to the area who want to (at least pretend) to rub elbows with the stars who call the streets of LA home.

Madame Tussauds-Hollywood: The Main Attraction

Located directly at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard, next to the world-renown Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds-Hollywood is a great way to get your photograph taken with your favorite celebrities living and deceased.

Madame Tussauds is divided into eleven distinct areas meant to highlight Southern California’s unique brand of celebrity culture. Among these areas are the Red Carpet greeting room, an A-List Party, an area dedicated to Westerns, a unique Behind-the-Scenes look at moviemaking, and a one-of-a-kind Awards Ceremony experience.

Visitors to Madame Tussauds-Hollywood also have several unique options which includes customized tours, private events held in the building, as well as the option to become pseudo-paparazzo. There’s even a specialized Madame Tussauds iPhone app designed to enhance your experience through additional news, coupons, and photo enhancements.

Madame Tussauds-Hollywood is open every day at 10 am, 364 days a year. It is closed only on Oscar day, in honor of the “celebrities” who call its halls home. Tickets are available at three different price levels: Children 4-12, Adults 13+, and Students (with ID). Children under 4 are free.

Why Madame Tussauds-Hollywood is a Must-See

Taking a trip to Madame Tussauds-Hollywood is a great addition to anyone’s LA trip. With a centralized downtown location, it’s perfect to pair with celebrity tours, shopping trips, and a visit to the Walk of Fame. In addition to showcasing amazing wax art, the Hollywood-theme of this Madame Tussauds sets it apart from other museums of the franchise and gets visitors in a decidedly SoCal state of mind.

Where to Buy Madame Tussauds-Hollywood Tickets

There are a number of ways you can enjoy admission to this attraction.

Pay Full Price and purchase a ticket from Madame Tussauds-Hollywood either online or in person.

Purchase a Tourist pass. Madame Tussauds-Hollywood is available on the Go Los Angeles Card and Hollywood CityPass.