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Writer's pictureTheodore Trentman

Did you know Big Bear is a movie star?

Updated: Feb 12, 2023

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, and Fawnskin are three small towns located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. These towns have been the backdrop for many movies and television shows over the years. From classic westerns to modern-day thrillers, the area has been featured in a variety of projects. The first movie filmed in Big Bear Lake was the classic western, The Big Trail, starring John Wayne in 1930. This was followed by a number of other westerns, including The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), starring Clint Eastwood, and The Quick and the Dead (1995), starring Sharon Stone. Other notable films shot in Big Bear Lake include The Parent Trap (1998), starring Lindsay Lohan, and The Lone Ranger (2013), starring Johnny Depp.

Big Bear City has been the setting for a number of films, including the horror classic, The Hills Have Eyes (1977), starring Dee Wallace. Other films shot in Big Bear City include the comedy, The Hot Chick (2002), starring Rob Schneider, and the drama, The Notebook (2004), starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Fawnskin has been the backdrop for a number of films, including the classic western, The Magnificent Seven (1960), starring Yul Brynner. Other films shot in Fawnskin include the horror film, The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1984), starring Michael Berryman, and the drama, The Horse Whisperer (1998), starring Robert Redford.

In addition to films, Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, and Fawnskin have also been featured in a number of television shows. These include the classic western, Bonanza (1959-1973), starring Lorne Greene, and the modern-day drama, The O.C. (2003-2007), starring Adam Brody. Other television shows filmed in the area include the crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000-2015), starring William Petersen, and the comedy, Two and a Half Men (2003-2015), starring Charlie Sheen. Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, and Fawnskin have been the backdrop for a variety of films and television shows over the years. From classic westerns to modern-day thrillers, the area has been featured in a variety of projects. With its stunning scenery and close proximity to Los Angeles, it is no wonder why these towns have been chosen as the setting for so many films and television shows. Notable movies & shows that have been filmed up here are:

Gone With the Wind (1939), starring Clark Gable & Vivian Leigh

High Sierra (1941), starring Humphrey Bogart & Ida Lupino

Old Yeller (1957), a classic Walt Disney film

Bonanza (1959-1973), starring Michael Landon

The Parent Trap (1961), a classic Walt Disney film starring Hailey Mills.

Kissin’ Cousins (1964), starring Elvis Presley. Scenes shot at the Gold Mountain Mine in Baldwin Lake.

Paint Your Wagon (1969), starring Clint Eastwood

War Games (1983), starring Matthew Broderick & Ally Sheedy. Scenes shot at 7-Eleven and the lake.

Double Dare (1986), a Nickelodeon show starring Mark Summers that featured several local youth.

The Wonder Years (1988-1994), starring Fred Savage. Scenes shot at the lake and the old drive-in.

The American President (1995), starring Michael Douglas & Annette Benning

The King of Queens (1998-2007), starring Kevin James & Leah Remini

City of Angels (1998), starring Nicholas Cage & Meg Ryan

Doctor Doolittle 1 & 2 (1998), starring Eddie Murphy

The Insider (1999), starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe. Scenes shot in downtown Fawnskin.

Magnolia (1999), starring Tom Cruise

Beethoven’s 3rd (2000), starring Judge Reinhold. Scenes shot in The Village.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005- Present), starring Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey

When a Stranger Calls (2006), starring Camilla Belle and Brian Geraghty

Next (2007), starring Nicholas Cage and Julianna Moore

Blades of Glory (2007)- Starring Will Farrel and John Heder

The Orville (2017-Present)- starring Seth MacFarlane


Attn: This is a progressive article that will continue to update as new information is learned. If you have additional information you'd like to add, please add your comments below.



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