BY Jason Gonzalez: Contributing Writer Bronx Chronicle
The Bronx Chronicle concluded its L.A. [Los Angeles] excursion, by politicking with the some of the biggest cultural icons and celebrities Hollywood has produced in macrocosm for our entertainment. As we cruised through the unearthly ecosystem in which humans and the “otherwise” co-exist peacefully, familiar faces such as Marilyn Monroe, Prince, and Marlon Brando were on hand at Madame Tussauds Hollywood to bid us a pleasant departure back to the Bronx.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood is much more than a typical a wax museum, it is a premiere tourist attraction located in the heart of Hollywood, California. It is one of seven locations in the United States, and the second of its kind [franchise] in the state of California. [San Francisco is the other city in the state to claim a branch.]
Originating in London, England, Madame Tussauds is the oldest of its type [wax museum]. The popular spot has now become a place to frequent, if you ever get the urge to get up close and personal with the “stars”.
Established by master sculptor Marie Tussaud, the concept of associating and responding to others that aren’t necessarily in the flesh has been monopolized. Madame Tussauds has also become the best at combining ornamentation, pageantry, and extravaganza. It truly is a fun time.
All of the life like wax figures at Madame Tussauds Hollywood fall into separate categories. Just like the other branches, world leaders, political figures, kings and queens, musicians, and athletes are featured. But what separates the Hollywood locale from any other Madame Tussauds setting, is the emphasis that is placed on the big screen.
As oppose to highlighting the achievements of politicians and musical acts, directors and actors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, and Tom Hanks are given their just due. This core as well as others are recognized and honored for their contributions to the world of cinematography.
The three-story museum features 125 wax figures. Some of the original figures to have been showcased at the grand opening, include the Queen of the “Bey-Hive” Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, as well as the academy award winning actor Jamie Foxx. All of the figures carry a price tag of $350,000 attached to it. Each figure has its own placard hung on a wall within a close physical proximity to the figure, containing biographical information about the person portrayed.
To make it a little more interactive for its spectators, props have been placed near select figures for visitors to use when posing for photos. Such as the robe alongside a pair of boxing gloves adjacent to the Sylvester Stallone figure.
You can touch the figures; however, you are strongly discouraged from touching the hair and face of each of the figures.
There is also an opportunity to purchase a wax model of your own hands, if you’d like.
The long list of figures that weren’t mentioned include:
- Kylie Jenner
- Fred Astaire
- Ingrid Bergman
- Halle Berry
- Ariana Grande
- Humphrey Bogart
- Pierce Brosnan
- Kobe Bryant
- Jim Carrey
- Jackie Chan
- Charlie Chaplin
- Simon Cowell
- Daniel Craig
- Penélope Cruz
- Salma Hayek
- Bette Davis
- James Dean
- Robert De Niro
- Johnny Depp
- Cameron Diaz
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Marlene Dietrich
- E.T.
- Clint Eastwood
- Colin Farrell
- Morgan Freeman
- Clark Gable
- Judy Garland
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
- Jimmy Fallon
- Samuel L. Jackson
- Demi Lovato
- Justin Timberlake
- Johnny Grant
- Tony Hawk
- Chris Hemsworth
- Audrey Hepburn
- Katharine Hepburn
- Charlton Heston
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Dustin Hoffman
- Bob Hope
- Anthony Hopkins
- Howard Hughes
- Iron Man
- Hugh Jackman
- Michael Jackson
- Elton John
- Angelina Jolie
- Lady Gaga
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Bruce Lee
- Vivien Leigh
- George Lopez
- Jennifer Lopez
- Master Chief
- Madonna
- Eddie Murphy
- Paul Newman
- Conan O’Brien
- Peter O’Toole
- Barack Obama
- Al Pacino
- Brad Pitt
- Elvis Presley
- Selena Quintanilla
- Robert Redford
- Rihanna
- Joan Rivers
- Julia Roberts
- Ginger Rogers
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Martin Scorsese
- Tupac Shakur
- William Shatner
- Will Smith
- Britney Spears
- Spider-Man
- Steven Spielberg
- Patrick Stewart
- Meryl Streep
- Gloria Swanson
- Patrick Swayze
- Taylor Swift
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Charlize Theron
- Uma Thurman
- John Travolta
- Marie Tussaud
- Carrie Underwood
- John Wayne
- Raquel Welch
- Robin Williams
- Bruce Willis
- Edward Scissorhands
- Snoop Dogg
- Betty White
- Jason Derulo
- Zac Efron
- Zoe Saldana
Madame Tussauds Hollywood offers special deals for large groups and students. When purchasing your tickets for Madame Tussauds, you can also inquire about packages and discounts for other attractions in the area too. Admission is $31 for adults and $24 for kids under the age of 12.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood is also available to host your next party. We saw pictures of weddings that were held inside the venue, hanging from the wall.
The Bronx Chronicle enjoyed their initial encounter at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. The facility is immaculate. However, the lack of charging ports for your cell phone combined with the absence of a bar took away from the experience. But with that being said, we give Madame Tussauds Hollywood a rating of 4/5 stars. We recommend giving it a try if you plan on being in the Los Angeles metro area soon.
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