Where was My Name is Earl filmed?
2005
City Locations
Los Angeles, California (USA)
Location Types
House, Apartment, Film Studio
Location Styles
Americana/Anywhere, Trailer Park/Manufactured Home, Van/Bus/RV Style, Rustic, Dilapidated/Neglected
About My Name is Earl
My Name Is Earl is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from 2005 to 2009. The series was created by Gregory Thomas Garcia and starred Jaime Pressly, Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, and Nadine Velazquez.
The storyline centers on Earl Hickey (Jason Lee), a small-town redneck and petty criminal. After winning $100,000 in the local lottery, Earl unfortunately loses the ticket when he's involved in a car accident. Inspired by a talk show featuring Carson Daly discussing karma, Earl decides to turn his life around. He becomes convinced that he can restore his lost luck by helping a deserving person each week, thereby making amends for the many transgressions he has committed throughout his lifetime. Assisting Earl in his mission of goodwill is his brother, Randy (Ethan Suplee). Adding to the drama and providing occasional obstacles is Earl's ex-wife, Joy (Jaime Pressly).
Throughout its four-season run, My Name Is Earl garnered critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2006. Fans of the show can relive the humor and heartwarming moments by watching the series on various streaming platforms.
My Name is Earl Locations
My Name Is Earl utilized various locations in Southern California for its production. The series was set in the fictitious Camden County, with creator Greg Garcia loosely basing it on his childhood neighborhood of Pimmit Hills, New Jersey.
However, most scenes were filmed in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. The production team expertly transformed a Los Angeles location into a convincing trailer park, which served as one of the show's primary settings.
Several sequences were shot at City Studios located on Balboa Boulevard. Additionally, many exterior shots were filmed across Southern California cities, including Moorpark, Van Nuys, Northridge, and Beaumont, immersing viewers in the region's distinct landscapes and architecture.
One notable location featured in the series is The Palms Hotel, which was actually filmed at North Hills' Palm Tree Inn Motel. This motel has gained popularity due to its appearances not only in My Name Is Earl, but also in other hit series like Gilmore Girls, Heroes, and The Mentalist.
A trip to these filming locations would certainly be worthwhile for fans of My Name Is Earl, offering them a chance to enter their favorite characters' world. Visitors can appreciate the unique Southern Californian scenery and explore famous landmarks that served as backdrops for this beloved sitcom.
Did you know?
In the television series, characters Earl and Randy are seen returning items they had stolen from a convenience store. Interestingly, Earl refers to this store as the Quick Stop, a name that holds significance as it is the store featured in the 1994 film Clerks. This reference is particularly noteworthy as both Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee appeared in Clerks and its subsequent movies.
Trailer park scenes in My Name is Earl
8230 Louise Ave, Northridge, CA 91325, USA
The trailer park plays a significant role in the sitcom. Darnell (Eddie Steeples), Joy, Dodge (Louis T. Moyle), and Earl Jr. (Trey Carlisle) reside in this fictional trailer park prior to their enrollment in the Witness Protection Program. Earl used to live there before his divorce from Joy, after which Darnell moved in. Later, Earl and his brother Randy moved back into a vacant trailer, specifically into space C-13.
However, fans planning a visit should know that this location was never an actual trailer park. The set was constructed on a vacant lot at 8230 Louise Ave, Northridge, which is now a fenced-off area not accessible to the public. In some shots from the series, the roofs of nearby buildings can be seen, which are situated to the south of the property.
Despite these changes, the nearby neighborhood still retains the atmosphere depicted in the TV show, making it a worthwhile stop for fans. To reach your destination from Los Angeles, take the US-101 N route by car, and expect a travel time of approximately 45 minutes.
Earl and Randy get stuck in the water tower scene in My Name is Earl
Artesia Water Tower, 18315 Seine Ave, Artesia, CA 90701, USA
The seventeenth episode of season one features a memorable scene that perfectly captures the spirit of the series. In this episode, Earl attempts to make amends for not paying his taxes in the past, which is one of the misdeeds on his list.
The episode's highlight is when Earl and Randy decide to climb to the top of a water tower, a stunt that lands them with $500 in fines. However, their antics go unnoticed until they fall through the tower's roof. Suspended by ropes, they are left hanging unharmed but unable to escape.
This iconic scene was filmed at an actual location, behind 18317 Seine Avenue, Artesia, California. The water tower here is a local landmark, initially acquired by the city as a point of historical interest and to provide a unique identity to the community.
To get there, it’s a 25-mile drive southeast of downtown LA. The trip will take around 45 minutes, but travel times vary depending on LA’s notorious traffic.
Earl visits Maggie Lester scene in My Name is Earl
Snow White Cottages, 2906 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
In the second-season episode "Sticks & Stones," Earl endeavors to make amends for upsetting Maggie Lester (Judy Greer) during their school days. Known as Maggie P.I. or The Bearded Lady, Earl finds her content, bearded, and working as a "circus freak" at her home, Shady Grove.
The Snow White Cottages, located at 2906 Griffith Park Boulevard in Los Angeles, were used extensively as the filming location for Shady Grove. In the series, Maggie is depicted living in bungalow number 2906 1/2. It's speculated that the real-life interior of the cottage was also used during filming.
These charming cottages, built in 1931 by Ben Sherwood, are believed to have inspired Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Showcasing a storybook style prevalent in Los Angeles architecture in the 1920s and 1930s, the cottages feature black timber framing, cragged thatched roofs, and random patches of rusticated masonry. They have also been featured in the movie Mulholland Drive, maintaining their distinctive appearance over the years.
If you're planning to visit the site, you can take US-101 N from downtown Los Angeles. Another option is to use public transportation, which will take approximately half an hour to reach your destination. Moreover, if you'd like to immerse yourself further in the ambiance of the show, these picturesque cottages are available for overnight stays.
Earl and Randy go to find Catalina scene in My Name is Earl
Veluzat Movie Ranch, Forest Rte 5N28, Santa Clarita, CA 91390, USA
In the episode titled "South of the Border: Part Dos," a comedic storm ensues when Earl unintentionally agrees to marry Catalina (Nadine Velazquez), enabling her to return to the US. This decision breaks Randy's heart and leads to a series of hilarious events. Darnell's attempts to handle their annoying neighbors and Randy's unexpected trip to Catalina's village contribute to the comic relief. The episode's soundtrack, featuring popular classics like “Jump Around" and "It Takes Two," enhances the comedic atmosphere.
This memorable episode was filmed at the Veluzat Movie Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. A significant independently owned movie ranch in southern California, Veluzat Movie Ranch is surrounded by open space north of the tract homes of Valencia. The ranch has various themed sections, including a Mexican/Spanish/Middle Eastern town, a Wild West town, a 1950s American town with a diner and gas station, ranch houses, and cabins.
Unfortunately, the Veluzat Movie Ranch is closed to the public. However, you can view it from afar by heading to Santa Clarita, California. To get there, it’s a roughly 40-mile drive north of LA.
Randy's reunion with his first childhood love scene in My Name is Earl
Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park, 6300 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
In the fourth season, the memorable " Pinky " episode features a heartwarming and hilarious storyline revolving around Randy. In this episode, Earl helps Randy reconnect with his first love, a pink-haired girl affectionately named Pinky (Gigi Goff in the childhood memories). The twist comes when Randy discovers that Pinky is actually Joy and that Earl had interfered in their relationship years ago, lying to Pinky through a note that stated Randy had broken up with her.
The climactic scene where they agree to reunite takes place on a bridge in a park filmed at the Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park located at 6300 Balboa Boulevard, Van Nuys. This location is a sprawling park featuring a massive lake, a golf course, and various amenities for family-friendly activities. Visitors can host large birthday parties, enjoy picnics, go fishing, or simply take a stroll around the park. Dog owners are welcome to bring their pets but dogs must be kept on a leash. The park is rich in wildlife that can be observed around the lake, and the abundance of trees throughout the area gives it a charming, woodsy feel, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal of the location.
Please remember to respect the park rules and regulations during your visit. The location is situated just 35 minutes away from downtown Los Angeles. Moreover, there are convenient public transportation options available to reach the place.
Earl gets hit by Billie scene in My Name is Earl
Langdon Avenue At Lemay Street, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, CA 91406, USA
There is an unforgettable scene from the season-three episode "I Won't Die with a Little Help from My Friends (Part 1)" in which Frank's ex-girlfriend, Billie Cunningham (Alyssa Milano), accidentally hits Earl with her car, putting him into a coma. In a twist of fate, Billie herself gets hit and ends up unconscious on the street alongside Earl. This episode takes a surreal turn when Earl, while comatose, imagines a sitcom world where he is married to Billie.
This comedic and somewhat dramatic scene was filmed at the intersection of Langdon Avenue and Lemay Street in Van Nuys. The neighborhood is quintessentially Californian, with palm-lined streets and suburban homes. Despite being a filming location for a popular TV show, the street has maintained its appearance over the years, making it a recognizable spot for fans of the series.
To visit this iconic filming location, you can use a private car drive via CA-134 W to reach the intersection of Langdon Avenue and Lemay Street in Van Nuys. While in the area, fans can also visit the nearby Lake Balboa/Anthony C. Beilenson Park, another filming location for the series.
Conclusion
My Name Is Earl is a unique and endearing sitcom. The show's offbeat humor and distinctive pace set it apart from other sitcoms of its time, making it a refreshing change from NBC's previous slate of Friends imitations and adaptations of British hits.
The series was filmed using a single camera, a technique more commonly associated with movies or shows like Arrested Development. This approach gave My Name Is Earl a distinct cinematic feel, further distinguishing it from the typical four-camera format prevalent in television comedies since the era of I Love Lucy.
Jason Lee, known for his roles in Mallrats and Almost Famous, lends his charisma to the character of Earl, making him both appealing and relatable. The supporting cast, playing Earl's family and eccentric friends, also delivers commendable performances, adding depth and charm to the series.
While My Name Is Earl isn't as satirically sharp as Arrested Development, it balances its farcical elements with sentiment, resulting in a show that is both amusing and heartwarming. The series also has a subtly wicked spirit beneath its friendly do-gooder surface, which adds an enticing edge to the narrative.
The filming locations, primarily in Southern California, lend authenticity to the setting and contribute to the show's overall atmosphere.
Regarding its contribution to the industry, My Name Is Earl demonstrated that sitcoms could break away from traditional formats and storytelling approaches, paving the way for more innovative and original content.
My Name Is Earl is undoubtedly worth watching. Its unique blend of humor, sentiment, and original storytelling, combined with commendable performances from the cast, make it a standout sitcom that continues entertaining viewers even years after its original run.