The landmark word has loomed over Tinseltown since before movies started talking, becoming a symbol of the entire film industry.

For the first time in decades, the Hollywood sign -- at least a little bit of it -- was illuminated on Friday to celebrate its 100th birthday.

The nine-letter sign is officially a centenarian but, as with many an ageing grande dame in Hollywood, looks as fresh as ever.

Like the actors and actresses it looks down on, the sign has been in its fair share of films.

Directors who want to let their audience know a movie is set in Los Angeles have an easy establishing shot, while a filmmaker who wants to signify the destruction of America can set their special effects team loose on the sign.

It has also seen real-life tragedy: British-born actress Peg Entwistle took her own life by plunging from the top of the letter H in 1932.

<h2>- Hooray for... realtors? -</h2>

The sign, a must-see for any film buff or tourist visiting Los Angeles, initially read "HOLLYWOODLAND," having been constructed in 1923 as an advertisement for an upscale real estate development.

During its first decade, it was routinely lit by thousands of bulbs, with "HOLLY", "WOOD" and "LAND" illuminated in turn as a beacon of the desirable homes on offer below.

By the 1940s, the letters were looking a little ragged.

The Los Angeles Times reported vandals or windstorms had damaged the H, before locals decided they had had enough and asked the city to tear it down.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, recognising that they had a blockbuster trademark on their hands, stepped in and offered to fix it up.

But the last four letters had to go -- the sign was to represent the whole town, not just a fashionable property patch, and by 1949, the newly restored sign simply read "HOLLYWOOD."

<h2>- Mr Nice Guy -</h2>

Three decades of baking sun and occasional storms took their toll on the 50-foot (15-meter)-high wooden letters.

Eventually, the first O was reduced to a lowercase "u" and the final O toppled down completely.

Enter one Alice Cooper -- the chicken-bothering father of shock rock -- who led a campaign to restore the sign to its former glory, donating $28,000.

Eight others, including actor Gene Autry, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and singer Andy Williams, kicked in the same, each sponsoring a letter.

(Cooper is the first O, Autry has the second L, Heffner got the Y and Williams snagged the W).

The replacement letters are a tad more compact, just 44 feet high, but made of steel, although they remain characteristically off-kilter.

The Hollywood Sign Trust said last year the repainting it carried out in time for the 100th anniversary used almost 400 gallons (1,500 litres) of paint and primer.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/yearender-2023-the-fabulous-year-that-taylor-swift-has-had-667924">Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had</a>

Friday night's lighting was purely symbolic, Hollywood Sign Trust chairman Jeff Zarrinnam said, with just a little stretch of the second L cutting through the gloom.

Unlike most global landmarks, the Hollywood sign is not usually lit up at night, partially because of objections from people who live nearby.

But, said Zarrinnam, it might start shining again.

"What we are working on is a plan to hopefully light the sign on very special occasions," he said.

"We have some very important sporting events that are coming to Los Angeles like the FIFA World Cup, we have the Olympics coming (in 2028) so those are the types of events that we would probably want to light the Hollywood sign in the future."

The landmark word has loomed over Tinseltown since before movies started talking, becoming a symbol of the entire film industry. For the first time in decades, the Hollywood sign -- at least a little bit of it -- was illuminated on Friday to celebrate its 100th birthday.

The landmark word has loomed over Tinseltown since before movies started talking, becoming a symbol of the entire film industry. For the first time in decades, the Hollywood sign -- at least a little bit of it -- was illuminated on Friday to celebrate its 100th birthday. The nine-letter sign is officially a centenarian but, as with many an ageing grande dame in Hollywood, looks as fresh as ever. Like the actors and actresses it looks down on, the sign has been in its fair share of films. Directors who want to let their audience know a movie is set in Los Angeles have an easy establishing shot, while a filmmaker who wants to signify the destruction of America can set their special effects team loose on the sign. It has also seen real-life tragedy: British-born actress Peg Entwistle took her own life by plunging from the top of the letter H in 1932. - Hooray for... realtors? - The sign, a must-see for any film buff or tourist visiting Los Angeles, initially read "HOLLYWOODLAND," having been constructed in 1923 as an advertisement for an upscale real estate development. During its first decade, it was routinely lit by thousands of bulbs, with "HOLLY", "WOOD" and "LAND" illuminated in turn as a beacon of the desirable homes on offer below. By the 1940s, the letters were looking a little ragged. The Los Angeles Times reported vandals or windstorms had damaged the H, before locals decided they had had enough and asked the city to tear it down. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, recognising that they had a blockbuster trademark on their hands, stepped in and offered to fix it up. But the last four letters had to go -- the sign was to represent the whole town, not just a fashionable property patch, and by 1949, the newly restored sign simply read "HOLLYWOOD." - Mr Nice Guy - Three decades of baking sun and occasional storms took their toll on the 50-foot (15-meter)-high wooden letters. Eventually, the first O was reduced to a lowercase "u" and the final O toppled down completely. Enter one Alice Cooper -- the chicken-bothering father of shock rock -- who led a campaign to restore the sign to its former glory, donating $28,000. Eight others, including actor Gene Autry, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and singer Andy Williams, kicked in the same, each sponsoring a letter. (Cooper is the first O, Autry has the second L, Heffner got the Y and Williams snagged the W). The replacement letters are a tad more compact, just 44 feet high, but made of steel, although they remain characteristically off-kilter. The Hollywood Sign Trust said last year the repainting it carried out in time for the 100th anniversary used almost 400 gallons (1,500 litres) of paint and primer. Also read: Yearender 2023: The fabulous year that Taylor Swift has had Friday night's lighting was purely symbolic, Hollywood Sign Trust chairman Jeff Zarrinnam said, with just a little stretch of the second L cutting through the gloom. Unlike most global landmarks, the Hollywood sign is not usually lit up at night, partially because of objections from people who live nearby. But, said Zarrinnam, it might start shining again. "What we are working on is a plan to hopefully light the sign on very special occasions," he said. "We have some very important sporting events that are coming to Los Angeles like the FIFA World Cup, we have the Olympics coming (in 2028) so those are the types of events that we would probably want to light the Hollywood sign in the future."

Time of the sign: Hollywood landmark hits 100

The first stage of restoration work on the Hollywood Sign is finally complete. The restoration work started in preparation of the sign’s 100th anniversary in 2023.&nbsp;

It is being underlooked by The Hollywood Sign Trust. They aim to restore the sign to its ‘pristine condition” when it was rebuild in 1978. The first phase of restoration work had begun on October 15 and was completed mid November.&nbsp;

Trustee Brian Lane was quoted in Deadline, “The last time soils were cleared from the sign base was prior to a major makeover and painting in 2012. Soil collects at the base of some letters more than others, which leads to soil buildup and rust.”<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-martin-scorsese-to-direct-grateful-dead-biopic-with-jonah-hill-in-the-lead-430415" hreflang="en">Martin Scorsese to direct Grateful Dead biopic with Jonah Hill in the lead</a>

“Members of the Trust donate their time to protect the sign so millions of fans worldwide and can enjoy this icon of the entertainment industry for generations to come. We look forward to returning every two to three years for this type of clearance and announcing additional projects as we approach the Hollywood Sign’s 100th anniversary in 2023,” said Hollywood Sign Trust Chair Jeff Zarrinnam.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-king-richard-will-smith-surprises-tennis-players-in-wimbledon-ahead-of-film-release-430411" hreflang="en">King Richard: Will Smith surprises tennis players in Wimbledon ahead of film release</a></h2>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-meet-the-royal-prince-of-titan-marvel-teases-harry-styles-new-poster-from-eternals-430395" hreflang="en">Meet the Royal Prince of Titan: Marvel teases Harry Styles' new poster from Eternals</a></h2>

The Hollywood Sign needs rework and maintenance because of its location -- as it stands on a steep hillside where the ground erodes and shifts after rain.

The first stage of restoration work on the Hollywood Sign is finally complete. The restoration work started in preparation of the sign’s 100th anniversary in 2023.

The first stage of restoration work on the Hollywood Sign is finally complete. The restoration work started in preparation of the sign’s 100th anniversary in 2023. It is being underlooked by The Hollywood Sign Trust. They aim to restore the sign to its ‘pristine condition” when it was rebuild in 1978. The first phase of restoration work had begun on October 15 and was completed mid November. Trustee Brian Lane was quoted in Deadline, “The last time soils were cleared from the sign base was prior to a major makeover and painting in 2012. Soil collects at the base of some letters more than others, which leads to soil buildup and rust.”Martin Scorsese to direct Grateful Dead biopic with Jonah Hill in the lead “Members of the Trust donate their time to protect the sign so millions of fans worldwide and can enjoy this icon of the entertainment industry for generations to come. We look forward to returning every two to three years for this type of clearance and announcing additional projects as we approach the Hollywood Sign’s 100th anniversary in 2023,” said Hollywood Sign Trust Chair Jeff Zarrinnam. King Richard: Will Smith surprises tennis players in Wimbledon ahead of film release Meet the Royal Prince of Titan: Marvel teases Harry Styles' new poster from Eternals The Hollywood Sign needs rework and maintenance because of its location -- as it stands on a steep hillside where the ground erodes and shifts after rain.

First phase of Hollywood Sign restoration complete

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Time of the sign: Hollywood landmark hits 100

First phase of Hollywood Sign restoration complete