Media Contact: Daniel Guerrero (949) 467-2745
Visit Newport Beach Inc.
daniel@visitnewportbeach.com
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NEWPORT BEACH: THE HAMPTONS OF HOLLYWOOD
From the Golden Age to the Digital Age, Newport Has Been Where Hollywood
Stays, Plays & Works
(Newport Beach, CA) - Often called “The Hamptons of Hollywood” the popular enclave of Newport Beach in Southern California’s famed Orange County has attracted celebrities for years with its convenient access (45 minutes south of Los Angeles) to the entertainment capital of the world and the promise of relaxation in relative obscurity. While many celebrities and notables visit the city for its reputation as a playground for the rich and famous – a phenomenon that has only increased with
the popularity of “The O.C.” TV series – others have chosen to make Newport Beach their home.
LIGHTS! CAMERA! SURF! NEWPORT BEACH ON FILM & TELEVISION
Many popular television series, movies and classic films have utilized Newport Beach as a backdrop or locale. Following is just a sampling of Newport’s many starring roles as a popular shooting location.
; The current hit series “The Real Housewives of Orange County” on Bravo makes liberal use of
various locales throughout Newport Beach.
; In 2007 MTV replaced its hit series “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County” with a new
show, “Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County.” Only the cast and location changed in the
new series based on the lives of wealthy high school students living in Newport Beach.
; The popular TV series “The OC” premiered in 2003 and with its success Newport Beach
became a defining city along the California coast. To search and find locales highlighted in the
show, pick-up “The O.C.” Newport Beach Map at tourist locations around the city or at
www.visitnewportbeach.com.
; On the show “Arrested Development” the characters are purported to have lived in Newport
Beach, operating a frozen banana stand on Balboa Island. Many of the stories took place in
Newport and in surrounding Orange County.
; In the final episode ("Live Together, Die Alone") of season two of the hit series “Lost,” the
boat "Elizabeth" had a Newport Beach hailing port, which was painted on her transom.
NEWPORT BEACH ON FILM (A SAMPLING)
Cleopatra (1917) Sherlock, Jr. (1924)
The Navigator (1924) All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Captain Blood (1935) A Star is Born (1937)
Lassie Come Home (1943) Joan of Arc (1948)
Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) Lord Love a Duck (1966)
Beaches (1988) A Few Good Men (1992)
Jerry Maguire (1996) Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)
Shadows (2005) Black Star Canyon (2006)
TRIVIA - PAST & PRESENT NOTABLE RESIDENTS & FREQUENT VISITORS
; Noted film director McG and Mark McGrath (lead singer for the group Sugar Ray), are co-
owners of the new Newport Beach eatery A Restaurant. Both are Orange County natives.
; Actress Michelle Pfeiffer was a Newport Beach resident and grew up in nearby Santa Ana,
where she attended Fountain Valley High School. Pfeiffer participated in local beauty
pageants and was once crowned, “Ms. Orange County,” which helped launch her acting
career.
; Los Angeles Lakers megastar, Kobe Bryant, resides in a $4 million, Mediterranean-style home
with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Kobe bought the house with his wife, Vanessa, who
grew up in the area and wanted to “return to her roots.”
; Retired professional basketball player, Karl Malone, played for the Los Angeles Lakers during
the 2003-2004 season (he previously played 15 years for the Utah Jazz), and now resides
with his family in Newport Beach.
; At age 13, actress Shirley Temple was crowned the very first “Miss Newport.” She was known
to be a regular on Newport Bay until she moved and actor Buddy Ebsen (best remembered as
Jed Clampet on “The Beverly Hillbillies”) took up residence in her home.
; Humphrey Bogart, actor in films such as “Sabrina” and “The African Queen,” was a frequent
visitor at many Newport Beach restaurants and sailing events. The house he lived in was his
wedding present to actress Lauren Bacall. Actor Errol Flynn was also a regular among
Newport Beach yacht enthusiasts.
PAST & PRESENT NOTABLE RESIDENTS & FREQUENT VISITORS
; Jim Abbot – pitcher, MLB
; George Burns and Gracie Allen – radio and television comedians
; Lauren Bacall – actress, frequented Newport with husband Humphrey Bogart
; Drake Bell – star on Nickelodeon cable outlet
; Candice Bergen – actress known for her starring role on “Murphy Brown”
; Joey Bishop – comedian, member of Frank Sinatra’s memorable “Rat Pack”
; Humphrey Bogart – actor, noted for gangster roles
; Kobe Bryant – athlete, NBA player
; Nicolas Cage – actor, “National Treasure,” “Moonstruck”
; James Cagney – film star; won a small island in Newport Beach in a game of poker ; Sasha Cohen - figure skater
; Chris Cox - Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission
; Dick Dale – “King of the Surf Guitar”
; Bette Davis - Oscar? winning Hollywood legend
; Buddy Ebsen – actor, noted for his lead role on “The Beverly Hillbillies” TV series
; Chuck Finley - former baseball player
; Errol Flynn – actor noted for swashbuckling roles and love of yachting
; Greta Garbo – actress; was an exclusive member of The Balboa Bay Club
; Heather Locklear – actress from television shows “Melrose Place” and “Dynasty”
; William Holden – actor, “Sunset Boulevard,” “Bridge on the River Kwai,” “Sabrina”
; Jeremy Jackson – actor, “Baywatch”
; Reggie Jackson - Hall of Fame Baseball Player
; Ruby Keeler –actress noted for her film musicals, longtime resident of The Balboa Bay Club ; Dean Koontz – best-selling author
; John Lackey - starting Pitcher of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
; Jay Leno – popular late-night talk show host and comedian
; Karl Malone – athlete, NBA player
; McG – producer of “The O.C.,” based on his experiences growing up in Orange County
; Kelly McGillis – actress from “Top Gun”; attended Corona Del Mar High School
; Mark McGrath -singer (Sugar Ray), co-owner of A Restaurant in Newport Beach
; Johnny Mercer - songwriter, Grammy? winner
; Chuck Norris – martial arts star, part owner at one time of “Woody’s Wharf” on Balboa
Peninsula
; Aaron Peirsol - swimmer, Olympic Gold Medalist
; Michelle Pfeiffer – actress, grew-up in Orange County
; Ginger Reyes - musician, Smashing Pumpkins, Halo Friendlies
; Dennis Rodman – athlete, NBA player
; Roy Rogers and Dale Evans – western film stars; residents of Lido Island
; Gwen Stefani - singer, No Doubt
; Leigh Steinberg – noted sports agent, said to be the model for the title character of “Jerry
Maguire”
; Shirley Temple – Oscar? winning child actor, former U.S. Ambassador, first “Miss Newport”
; John Wayne – Academy Award? winning Hollywood legend
; Tiger Woods – legendary golfer, PGA Champion
; George Yardley - NBA Hall of Famer
About Newport Beach
Newport Beach, an opulent seaside community located on southern California’s Orange County coastline between Los Angeles and San Diego, epitomizes the quintessential southern California lifestyle. Known for its picturesque views of the Pacific and one of the world’s largest small yacht
harbors, the city is acclaimed for its beaches, outdoor recreation, sophisticated atmosphere, international film festival, three annual epicurean festivals and the oldest holiday boat parade in the nation. For additional travel information, please call (800) 94-COAST or visit us online at www.visitnewportbeach.com.
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Media Contact: Daniel Guerrero (949) 467-2745
Visit Newport Beach Inc.
Daniel@visitnewportbeach.com
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