The O’Neill House is one of the most unusual private residences in the Los Angeles area, although it is technically located in Beverly Hills at 507 North Rodeo Drive. The house is known for its highly distinctive, storybook-like exterior, with curving forms and ornate surfaces inspired by Antoni Gaudí. Beverly Hills tourism materials list it as a local architectural landmark, and several sources note that the version seen today was shaped from Don O’Neill’s concepts and completed in the 1980s, giving it the flamboyant, almost dreamlike appearance for which it is now known.
In terms of screen history, the O’Neill House is best known as a filming location in two feature films: Breathless (1983) and 8 Million Ways to Die (1986). The location is specifically identified in filming references for Breathless, and film-location sources also connect the house to 8 Million Ways to Die, where it appears as the residence of Angel Maldonado. It was also briefly in a Season 1 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 titled “The First Time”. In the scene Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley) shows his ex-girlfriend, Sheryl (Paula Irvine) around Beverly Hills.
In Breathless, the O’Neill House appears in the scene where Jesse Lujack, played by Richard Gere, steals a baby-blue Thunderbird convertible. The house is not used as a major dramatic setting in the film, but it provides a strikingly stylish Beverly Hills backdrop for Jesse’s criminal, impulsive behaviour. Its eccentric design fits the film’s offbeat, rebellious energy very well, and even in a brief appearance it helps give the sequence a memorable visual character.
In 8 Million Ways to Die, the house is used much more extensively. It serves as the home of Angel Maldonado, played by Andy Garcia, and the film makes active use of the property’s unusual architecture. According to film-location write-ups and production notes, scenes were shot in several parts of the residence, including the guest house, the breezeway between the guest house and the main building, the living room, and the kitchen. The film even draws attention to the Gaudí-like inspiration behind the house, making the location feel like an extension of Maldonado’s personality: stylish, extravagant, and slightly menacing.
8 Million Ways to Die (1986)
8 Million Ways to Die
8 Million Ways to Die was filmed in both Los Angeles and El Segundo, with scenes spread across a range of distinct settings.
Breathless
Breathless was shot primarily in and around Los Angeles, and it makes use of the city’s early-1980s character rather than treating it as a generic backdrop.
Beverly Hills City Hall
Beverly Hills City Hall in Beverly Hills was used in the "Beverly Hills Cop" films, where it appears as part of the Beverly Hills Police Department.
The Viper Room
The Viper Room appears in Valley Girl (1983), The Doors (1991), Be Cool (2005), Daisy Jones & the Six (2023), and Walking the Edge (1985).
Griffin Club Los Angeles
Griffin Club Los Angeles appears in the dark comedy thriller series Based on a True Story, where it is used as the private club attended by the characters.
The Shelley
The Shelley appears in Seinfeld (1989–1998). In the series, it serves as the exterior of Jerry’s apartment, even though the character’s address is in Manhattan.
Family Arcade LA
In Dexter: Original Sin, Family Arcade LA appears in episode 9, Blood Drive. Dexter lures Captain Spencer to the arcade, transforming it into a kill room.
Pann’s Restaurant
Pann’s Restaurant has appeared in several films and television productions, like xXx, Bewitched, Next and the TV series Based on a True Story.
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory appears in Rebel Without a Cause, The Terminator, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, La La Land, Transformers, and many more.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier appears in numerous productions, including The Sting, Forrest Gump, Ruthless People, Cellular, Iron Man, Her, Modern Family, and Seinfeld.
Circus Liquor
Circus Liquor appears in several films, like Clueless (1995), Blue Thunder (1983), and Alpha Dog (2006).
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