By Nick De Luca
The "Emerald City" may not be confused with "Tinsel Town," but a case can be made for Seattle to be called Hollywood Northwest. The majestic backdrop of the port city has proven fruitful for directors as a filming location for some noteworthy and beloved movies and television series.
For decades, Seattle had been a seldom-used filming destination, but when Richard Gere and Debra Winger lit up the silver screen in the 1981 film "An Officer and a Gentleman," directors saw just how much the seaport had to offer to the film community, and they have continued to make the trek north from Los Angeles ever since.
The '80s saw a myriad of big-budget movies call Seattle home, including "War Games," "Starman," "Black Widow," "The Fabulous Baker Boys," and the teen cult-classic "Say Anything."
Don't be surprised to see a film crew while walking about in Seattle. The "Emerald City" has proven to be a popular filming destination for some of your favorite movies and television shows.The '90s saw Seattle reel in the blockbusters ("The Hand that Rocks the Cradle," "Sleepless in Seattle," and "The Vanishing") and some movies that have endured the test of time ("Better Off Dead," "Singles," and "Ten Things I Hate About You"). The decade also marked Seattle as a filming destination for television, with the long-running hit "Frazier" and MTV's ground-breaking "Real World" series.
The present decade has continued to see filmmakers flock to Seattle. The popular "Ring" horror movies were filmed on locations throughout the city, as was "Firewall" starring Harrison Ford. In the last few years, A-list actors have continued to line up, with Al Pacino ("88 Minutes"), Sean Penn ("Into the Wild"), and Brad Pitt and George Clooney ("Burn after Reading") all making Seattle home during filming of their movies.
When ambling about town, don't be surprised to see a movie star or a film crew. Filming of the popular television series "Grey's Anatomy" can regularly be seen at various locations around the city.
You should take the opportunity to visit one of the following locations to recapture the scene from your favorite movie or television episode.
On location
Alki Beach, 1100 Alki Ave. S.W.
In "Sleepless in Seattle," Meg Ryan watches Tom Hanks and his son spend the afternoon playing in the sand of this popular summertime spot.
Buckaroo Tavern, 4201 Fremont Ave. N.
This Fremont Avenue institution is not the biker bar that's portrayed in the teen movie "Ten Things I Hate About You," but it's charming nonetheless.
The Virgina Inn, 1937 First Ave.
Grab the front booth of this Pike Place Market tavern and relive the first lunch date of Kyra Sedgwick and Campbell Scott in Cameron Crowe's "Singles."
Icon Grill, 1933 Fifth Ave.
In the lounge of this downtown restaurant, Angelina Jolie discovers the predictions of "Prophet Jack" might be true in "Life, or Something Like It."
Athenian Inn, 1517 Pike Place, suite 1517
In this diner, Rob Reiner and Tom Hanks discuss what it's like to be back in the dating world in "Sleepless in Seattle."
Washington State Ferries, 801 Alaskan Way
Cast members of "Grey's Anatomy" struggle in the waterfront terminal to save victims of a collision between a ferry and a container ship during an episode in season three.
Pier 70, 2815 Alaskan Way
The former home to seven cast mates on the reality show "Real World: Seattle" has now been completely remodeled to house offices, retail tenants, and the upscale seafood restaurant Waterfront Seafood Grill. Because residential uses are prohibited on the pier, in order for the series to be filmed, a special permit was obtained declaring Pier 70 a "24-hour" film set.
