Hollywood Pantages Theatre

Posted: 09.22.2021 | Updated: 02.06.2025

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles stands as one of the most extravagant and iconic theaters in the world. This Art Deco masterpiece, located in the heart of Hollywood, has long been a celebrated venue for dazzling stage performances and star-studded movie premieres. As a shining symbol of Hollywood’s golden age, it traces its rich history back to the vaudeville era, serving as a cornerstone of entertainment in the city.

With its timeless beauty and connection to the entertainment industry’s legacy, the Pantages offers more than just a stunning show—it also holds a captivating, mysterious side. For those looking to uncover the eerie stories hidden within, a Los Angeles ghost tour of the Pantages Theatre offers a thrilling experience that combines history, glamour, and a dash of the supernatural.

It turns out the Pantages Theatre is just as unique to the dead as it is for the living. Over the decades, show personnel and guests have reported apparitions that roam the theatre’s majestic rooms and passageways. Some of its iconic guests and owners clearly never left. 

Explore the spooky side of LA’s haunted spots—book your ghost tour with LA Ghosts now!

What Is The Haunted History of the Pantages Theater?

The Hollywood Pantages Theater in Los Angeles, is famous for its glamorous shows and Art Deco design—but it also has a haunted history that attracts ghost hunters from around the world.

Opened in 1930, the Pantages began as a movie palace and later became a Broadway hotspot. Over the years, it has hosted many celebrities, actors, and musicians, some of whom are said to have left behind supernatural traces.

Reports of strange events are common—flickering lights, odd noises, and feelings of being watched, especially in the dark hallways and dressing rooms. Some say they’ve seen a ghostly woman in vintage clothes near the stage, or heard laughter and whispers in empty rooms. One of the most eerie tales is of a mysterious man in an old suit who appears in the balcony during shows, only to vanish without a trace.

While the Pantages Theatre is celebrated for its unforgettable performances, it also offers a rare opportunity to encounter the spirits of Hollywood’s past. For those seeking a spine-tingling adventure, a Los Angeles ghost tour of the Pantages gives you the chance to explore the haunted side of this iconic venue.

Are you ready to uncover the supernatural secrets lurking within the walls of the Pantages Theatre?

When Was The Pantages Theater Built?

The Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles was the last theatre built by the vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages and was designed to accommodate vaudeville performances and film events. It opened its doors on June 4, 1930, with significant fanfare and celebrity guests. 

At the time of its opening, the state-of-the-art theatre featured 2,812 seats, opulent staircases, starburst ceiling patterns, massive chandeliers, all for a cost of $1.25 million. 

It has a spacious, lavishly decorated lobby with a twenty-foot-wide staircase on each end. These staircases are adorned with life-sized Egyptian and Assyro-Babylonian style statues, representing the hard workers of the film industry. 

It’s also home to an orchestra pit, vast stage area, balconies, and backstage dressing rooms. Other employees working behind the scenes are stationed in the upper floor offices and conference rooms. 

The Pantages Theatre is truly the epitome of magnificence. But even the grandest landmarks run across misfortunes. Its operations were hit hard by the Great Depression. Live stage acts proved to be so expensive, so the management was forced to economize by converting it to an all-movie place, with occasional musical acts and sponsored events. 

The Theatre Springs Back to Life After the Great Depression

In 1949, the Pantages Theatre was acquired by business magnate Howard Hughes. It was renamed RKO Pantages and was considered the crown jewel of his film production company and movie theatre chain, RKO Pictures. 

The RKO Pantages Theatre saw its heydays from 1950 to 1959, when it was chosen as the venue for the annual Academy Awards. This went on for a decade until the event needed a much larger location.

In 1967, the Pantages Theatre was bought by Pacific Theatres, a company known for its massive inventory of drive-ins in California. Upon acquisition, they started major renovation and restoration work to rehabilitate the old building. They also reverted it to its old stage theatre setup.

But successfully restoring it to its old splendor didn’t happen overnight. Pacific Theatres restored the structure to its original seating capacity of almost 2,700 and worked with the Nederlander Organization for a grand return as a stage theatre. 

In February 1977, it reopened with the live run of the hit Broadway Show “Bubbling Brown Sugar.” It was followed by several live performances, from “Beatlemania” and “La Cage Aux Folles” to “King and I” and “Sugar Babies.” In addition, the Pantages Theatre became a newly restored favorite venue for special charitable events. 

As Pacific Theatres’ partnership with the Nederlander Corporation progressed, so did the restoration and renovation efforts. In 2000, they fully renovated the interiors. It was a 10 million dollar project that finally bore fruit with the arrival of The Lion King. The stage play, alongside film and merchandise items, proved to be so popular and profitable, it helped the theatre rise from the ashes. 

Ghosts of the Past Remain

In the years that followed, the Pantages Theatre underwent extensive restorations to preserve its timeless beauty. Missing chandeliers were replaced, and the lobby, floors, walls, and ceiling were restored to their original grandeur. The Art Deco masterpieces were carefully cleaned and repaired, while the stage was transformed into a state-of-the-art venue for top Broadway shows.

Additional office spaces were also completed, following Pantages’ original plans. Today, the theater stands as a stunning blend of historic elegance and modern sophistication. For those looking to experience not only its beauty but also its haunted history, a Los Angeles ghost tour of the Pantages offers an unforgettable glimpse into the supernatural side of this iconic venue.

The Pantages Theatre is now all redeemed, standing up to its long-established grandeur. Changes after changes, all for the better. But is it possible that these changes disturbed the spirits around? A provocation that prompted haunting? It seems like the guests forever attached to the theatre continue to stand guard, show after show, and even behind the scenes. 

The Pantages Theatre’s Forever Guests

Those who have suddenly lost their lives in the most unexpected circumstances continue to stay in places they love the most. As spirits, they spend their “afterlife” here on Earth, watching over the building they love the most. 

The Ghosts of the Pantages Theatre are still trying to live their dreams, as if they are alive, by roaming the passageways of the place they once visited or once called their own.

Alexander Pantages

While lots of early motion picture historical accounts don’t even mention his name, it’s clear that Alexander Pantages is a force to reckon with in the vaudeville and motion picture industry. Initially, he just managed other people’s theatres but soon invested in a large chain of theatres across the United States and Canada.

His life is not all money and passion for the arts. Pantages was accused of raping an aspiring vaudeville dancer – a crime he didn’t commit. The expensive legal battle left him in financial ruin, leading him to sell the theatre to RKO on a much lower sum.

Alexander Pantages is the father of Pantages Theatre and always will be. He still keeps a watchful eye on the main floor like he used to do when he was still alive. His spirit is said to walk up the aisle during stage performances, too. When the attendants open the door for him, he just disappears.

A chilling account from the 1990s speaks of a wardrobe lady who was escorted out by an unknown person. She was said to be the last to leave the theatre, and since the lights were already turned off, she was having a hard time finding her way out. 

All of a sudden, someone took her gently by the elbow and guided her to the exit. Once outside, she turned to thank the person who helped her but saw no one. She said she heard no footsteps, and it was too short of a time for a person to run off. 

People believe that it’s a ghostly encounter with Alexander Pantages himself, a gentleman from even beyond the grave. 

Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes was one of the notable people who drove the theatre to success, but just like Alexander Pantages, his life is not all praises and admiration. Despite his financial success, Hughes was widely regarded as an eccentric man and his days in the theatre witnessed his progressing mental decline. 

Howard Hughes loved the Pantages Theatre, and death didn’t stop him from running it. Legend says a break-in by vandals in 1990 prompted the hauntings on the second-floor conference room, where Hughes once held office. 

Since then, employees have reported cold spots or unexplained breezes, as well as apparitions in this area. Rattling desk drawers and cigarette smoke smell are also common occurrences. 

In 1992, a Nederlander Corporation executive assistant reported a tall male figure walking down the hall into an old office. Then, she heard door handles being rattled and drawers being opened and closed. She also felt an unseen presence and a cool passing wind in an area with no wind source available. 

Apart from spending time in his old office, it appears that watching rehearsals is an afterlife hobby. One time, during a stage rehearsal, performers saw a mysterious man watching them while sitting in the back row of the balcony. He disappeared even before security got to question him. 

An Unknown Male Supervisor

Two workers quit during a restoration project back in 2000 after experiencing an eerie encounter with an unknown male supervisor. An electrician was doing some wiring inspection when a mysterious person glanced over his shoulder. 

A painter who was restoring the higher parts of the theatre auditorium reported that he saw a man climb down from the balcony to the scaffolding. He was wearing a hat and was walking around, inspecting the site. 

He stopped where the painter was working, and just like what happened to the electrician, the man leaned over to check his work. Confused, the painter turned to ask him who he was, but the ghostly inspector disappeared.

Who can it be? Some theorize that it can be Alexander Pantages, Howard Huges, or someone else who supervised the theatre back in the day. 

A Female Aspiring Singer and Performer

In 1932, a patron and aspiring performer was said to have died in the mezzanine. Since then, her singing voice has been heard throughout the theatre. 

People say that she still sings until today when the microphone is left on. In some instances, a mysterious voice is being picked up by the audio system during shows. It seems like she’s a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber since she usually sings tunes from the “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”

There is no official report of death inside the Pantages Theatre, though, so there is a lot of mystery surrounding these purported incidents involving a female ghost singer. Some say she died of an unknown disease; some say that she committed suicide. 

The Spirits of the Pantages Theatre Never Leave for Reason

While there’s no concrete evidence like photos or videos, the ghosts of the Hollywood Pantages Theatre are said to be among the most passionate spirits around. Employees, performers, and directors alike have shared eerie stories of strange occurrences tied to the theater’s storied history. These spirits seem to continue their routines as they did in life—phantom footsteps echoing down the aisles, and faint whispers filling the empty theater between shows.

The atmosphere in the Pantages is electric, charged with the presence of those who once helped create its magic. It’s clear that something extraordinary continues behind the scenes. For those curious to experience these otherworldly encounters firsthand, a Los Angeles ghost tour of the Pantages Theatre offers a spine-chilling opportunity to uncover the supernatural side of this iconic venue.

The ghosts at the Pantages aren’t random; they’re drawn to the theater’s core—music, art, theater, and film. Many believe these spirits are connected to the iconic performances that took place there and remain bound to the stage they once graced. Whether it’s a lingering presence or a flickering light during a performance, these passionate spirits seem to stay to witness the art and music that continue to fill the theater today. The Pantages may host spectacular shows for modern audiences, but the echoes of its past still haunt the venue, blending the living with the supernatural.

Haunted Los Angeles

The Hollywood Pantages Theatre, a grand icon of Los Angeles, is renowned not only for its stunning Art Deco architecture and rich history in the world of theater, but also for its eerie tales that have become part of its legendary allure. Standing as a beacon of showbiz glamour, this majestic venue has witnessed countless performances, yet beneath its glittering past lies a shadowy legacy of supernatural occurrences.

Once the stage for Broadway’s finest, the Pantages’ elegance continues to captivate visitors. However, it’s the theater’s haunting whispers and ghostly apparitions that truly add an unsettling dimension to its storied past.

Staff and theatergoers alike have reported strange phenomena, ranging from the chilling sounds of phantom footsteps in the darkened aisles to the faint sight of spectral figures of former performers in the wings. With its deep ties to Hollywood history and its growing reputation for the paranormal, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre remains a must-visit for those daring enough to seek a ghostly encounter.

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Source:

• https://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/travel/g12242834/art-deco-architecture/
• https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Pantages-Los-Angeles.aspx
• https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/cavestocathedrals/chapter/neo-babylonian/
• https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/GreatDepression.html
• https://www.broadway.com/buzz/10896/looking-back-76-77/
• https://www.ndsmcobserver.com/article/2023/04/the-phantom-of-the-opera-a-broadway-legend
• https://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/news/the-origins-of-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat