Where was Black Sheep filmed?
1996
City Locations
Buckley, Pierce County, Washington
Location Types
Government buildings, outdoors, city streets, woods
Location Styles
Government facilities, nature, urban areas, country
About Black Sheep
Mike Donnelly (Farley) is the brother of gubernatorial candidate Al Donnelly (Matheson). Loud and given to accidents, Mike is prone to foibles no matter how well-intended his actions are. Al’s campaign manager indicates that Al should find a less visible role for his brother. Al asks Mike to campaign for him locally and assigns him an assistant, Steve Dodds (Spade). Casting is perfect for this film, with David Spade and Chris Farley, who work extremely well together. When Mike attempts to keep underage kids from becoming intoxicated, photos are taken that make it look like he was encouraging the illegal activity. As a result, he is fired from his job. As he is preparing to leave, Mike encounters some thugs who set the building ablaze. Mike then runs into the photographer who previously took photos of him with the teenagers who takes more photos, making it look as though Mike is responsible for the fire. When the police arrive, Mike discovers one of the officers is his old friend Drake who allows him and Steve to escape before the rest of the officers arrive on the scene. The two leave in Mike’s car and travel to a shack in the woods. Steve attempts to make a phone call. While seeking a place with good reception, he comes across Drake’s home. Moving to higher ground, Steve causes some rocks to be dispersed. Later in the day, a boulder dislodges itself and rolls down the mountain, almost obliterating their cabin. As the men sleep, a strong wind arises that takes the roof with it. The following morning, Mike attempts to contact Al, but Kovary will not allow it. Mike then travels to Seattle to try to catch him after the Rock the Vote event. He is mistakenly identified as his brother and makes an idiot of himself on stage as his brother and Kovary watch in horror. This is the final straw, and Mike is fired from the campaign. Governor Tracy unleashes the photos of Mike at the scene of the fire and wins the election. Mike takes note of some mathematical inaccuracies and also recognizes the men responsible for the fire standing adjacent to Tracy during his victory speech. Mike and Steve discover that a large number of the “voters” for Tracy have been dead for many years. Mike and Steve go to the victory party where the police attempt to arrest Mike. Mike grabs a gun and fakes taking Steve hostage. Drake arrives and thwarts a sniper’s attempt to shoot Mike. Mike tells the crowd about the election fraud, and his brother is declared the winner. Several months later, Steve has been installed as Al’s right hand man. Mike is also employed by Al’s office. The next Black Sheep film shoot shows the trio en route to a meeting via airplane. Mike’s jacket snags on the door, and he is stuck outside as the plane prepares for takeoff.
Black Sheep Locations
Filmed in 1996, Black Sheep is an American comedy starring the comic genius team of David Spade and Chris Farley. The premise of the movie centers on a political aide whose role is to manage the brother of a candidate running for Governor or Washington (spoiler alert!). Though well-intended, this brother is the cause of many gaffes leading to public embarrassment for the candidate. Fleshing out this all-star cast are the well-known actors Tim Matheson, Christine Ebersole, and Gary Busey.
Though most of the Black Sheep filming locations are found in Washington, some footage was also shot in California including the cities of Los Angeles and Hollywood. If you’re a fan of the Chris Farley/David Spade comedic duo, why not plan a trip to see the filming locations for Black Sheep found in this slapstick comedy?
Fun Fact:
The security guards seen in the Rock the Vote footage are Chris Farley’s own brothers Kevin and John
Mike crashes the advertising truck scene in Black Sheep
410 S. Myrtle Ave, Monrovia, California
In the opening Black Sheep location, a crowd is assembled in the street while a marching band plays a jubilant tune. A limousine pulls up containing Al Donnelly, gubernational candidate. Al and Kovary exit the vehicle and race to the platform with Al throwing his arms in the air to address the crowd. The next scene shows Mike Donnelly driving an advertising truck for his brother’s campaign. The vehicle careens through the streets with a loudspeaker playing a live speech delivered by Mike. Dogs trail Mike’s truck, and as he seeks to shake them, yelling, “What is with you dogs? You think this truck is meat or something? Get out of here!” He then crashes into a movie theatre. To visit this Black Sheep location, you will need to be prepared for a drive of approximately 29 minutes from Los Angeles. From the heart of the city, travel along CA-110 N taking the exit for CA-2N. Take the exit for CA-134 E, following this route until the Black Sheep scene turnoff for W Evergreen Ave. Exit 210 leads to S Myrtle Street where the Studio Movie Grill, the location for this iconic can be found.
Locate Arcadia Film Shoot Locations
Mike campaigns for Al at the recreation center scene in Black Sheep
Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Avenue, Woodland Hills, California
In one of many funny scenes in Black Sheep, the scene opens with Mike placing a phone call to help secure voters for Al’s campaign. He is in his office in the Pierce County Recreational Center. He places his first call and gets an answer, bumbling the name of the city where the caller resides. Mike contains his spiel then segues to an inappropriate analogy, comparing his brother’s dream of the governorship to a dream of his own, saying: Mike: H*ll, every guy’s got his dream, am I right? Between you, me, and the wall, I had a doozy myself last night. Ha, ha. Get this. A corn-fed harvest mouse, a hooker, a nun, a Flemish peasant woman, whips, chains, whistles, yo-yos, a circus midget, my grandmother riding by on a bicycle giving me the finger, and a duck…” There are lots of bus lines that travel the route from Los Angeles directly to Pierce College in Woodland Hills. You can reach the site of this hilarious scene by taking bus routes 164, 242/243, or G.
Steve almost hits Drake in the street scene in Black Sheep
109 E. Lemon Ave., Monrovia, California
In this Black Sheep action scene, Steve is driving through the streets, trying to find his way to Mike’s house. Drake attempts to cross the street, and Steve, not paying attention, drives right into him. Unharmed, Drake moves to the driver’s side of the car where Steve asks if he is okay. Drake, who is visibly angry with Steve, asks him to get out of the car. Steve tries to be witty, further angering Steve who utters an idle threat and then tells him to get out of the car again. The following dialogue ensues: Drake: Now, are you ready to get out of the car? Steve: No, sir. You know what? It was my fault, and I’m really sorry. Here, I got something for you. It’s kind of a souvenir. Oh, here it is. (He gives Drake the finger and slams his foot on the gas pedal, leaving Drake in the dust). Not far from Monrovia’s S. Myrtle Avenue where another Black Sheep production scene was filmed, you can kill two birds with one stone by visiting both locations when in the area. To get to 109 E. Lemon Avenue from S. Myrtle Avenue, continue traveling down S. Myrtle Avenue, turning left on E. Duarte Road. At the sign for California Avenue, make a left. Follow California Avenue for a mile then make another left onto E. Lemon Avenue to arrive at your destination.
Uncover Pasadena Filming Locations
Mike slips and rolls down a hill scene in Black Sheep
Veluzat Movie Ranch, Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, California
In one of the best scenes in Black Sheep, the setting for this shot is the top of a rocky hill. Mike stands at the top of the hill and using a pamphlet as a type of microphone, he yells down into the valley, “Vote for Donnelly!” The sound echoes throughout the valley below. He then says, “Every vote counts,” slips, and rolls down to the bottom of the hill. He stands and laughs, thinking his escapade is over, only to lose his footing and start rolling further downwards. The site of the cabin that Mike and Steve inhabit when on the run, these scenes were shot at the Veluzat Movie Ranch in Santa Clarita. The cabin and other facilities constructed for the filming of Black Sheep were subsequently destroyed. To visit this spot, take US-101 N from Hollywood until you reach the exit for CA-170 N and I-5 N. Follow the exit 2 ramp from CA-14N. Follow onto Newhall Avenue in Santa Clarita, taking Railroad Avenue and Bouquet Canyon Road to the access point for Forest Route 5N28.
Santa Clarita Filming Locations Directory
Avalanche at the cabin scene in Black Sheep
Veluzat Movie Ranch, Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, California
This scene opens with a boulder dislodging itself and beginning its descent down the hill towards Mike and Steve’s cabin. The duo notices the cabin is shaking violently, and Steve says, “What’s going on? That’s not normal.” The checkers board on the table begins to violently shake. The boulder then makes contact with the cabin, knocking it off its foundation and toppling the two men outside. Filmed on the same property where Mike’s first landslide occurred, you can reach the site of this hilarious film scene on foot by following the maps provided at Veluzat Movie Ranch.
Mike is mistaken for his brother and fired by Al scene in Black Sheep
Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California
In one of the most memorable scenes from Black Sheep, Mike is mistaken for his brother Al at Rock the Vote and is thrust up on stage where he is expected to give a speech. Not knowing what to say, he addresses the crowd with this: Mike: I, uh, I guess I could sure use some cupcakes or peanut butter cups right now. Yeah, you know what that’s about. I guess you guys should vote, you know, cause voting kicks *ss, right? Embarrassed by his brother’s conduct, this speech results in Mike being permanently dismissed from this brother’s campaign. You can easily reach this Black Sheep location by taking US 101-N from Los Angeles and exiting at 8B. Once off the exit ramp, turn left onto Hollywood Boulevard to find the Pantages Theatre.
Conclusion
A film that won the hearts of audiences and was considered to be a financial success if not a critical one, Black Sheep has become a cult classic amongst those with a love for the comedic duo of Farley and Spade. Though many of the film’s most well-known scenes were filmed in Washington, a large number also took place in the heart of SoCal including in Los Angeles, Monrovia, and Hollywood. Among the most beautifully landscaped shots are those captured at the movie ranch just outside Santa Clarita. Though the cabin has long since been demolished, the hills seen in some of the most iconic footage from this film remain. Consider Black Sheep to be one of your all-time faves? Plan a trip to scout out the many locations featured in this film. You’re sure to have a blast!