Studio City

In the early 1920s silent film producer and director Mack Sennett relocated his movie studio to southern California and the neighborhood around the studio became known as Studio City. The Mack Sennett Studios produced movies featuring the Keystone Kops, Charlie Chaplin and Fatty Arbuckle before becoming Republic Studios. Republic launched the careers of Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and many others. Today the studio is known as CBS Studio Center and is owned and operated by CBS. The studio is the area’s largest employer and a big supporter of the local community. Past and present shows filmed at CBS Studio Center include Gilligan’s Island, Gunsmoke, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, CSI New York, Will and Grace, Seinfeld, Brooklyn Nine Nine, Last Man Standing and many others.

Studio City is also known for its thriving local community with a small town feel. Favorite annual Studio City events are the Fourth of July Fireworks Festival, held on the CBS Studio Center lot and put on by the Studio City Chamber of Commerce and the Studio, the weekly Farmers Market, one of the premier markets in Los Angeles, the Winter Family Festival, and the Luminaria Festival.

Despite its name Studio City is not its own city but is part of the city of Los Angeles. It is 5.727 square miles and is located in Los Angeles City Council district 2 and LA County district 3. Studio City is bordered on the north by Valley Village, on the east by Toluca Lake and Universal City, on the south by Hollywood Hills West, on the southwest by Beverly Crest and on the west by Sherman Oaks. According to city data from 2008 the population was 34,790. The area boasts several public schools including Carpenter Community Charter School, Colfax Charter Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary, Dixie Canyon Community School, Walter Reed Middle School and North Hollywood High School.