The Hollywood sign is a familiar icon that represents the movie industry globally. However, the iconic landmark has a rich history that goes beyond the film industry.

The glitz and glamour of the Hollywood film industry is one thing, but behind the scenes (OK, sometimes in front of it too) are the hard working people who make movies tick. Our collection of iconic stars brings together images of these men and women who occupy both spaces – smouldering tough guys like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, sexy actresses like Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie and those who pull the strings (ok, so maybe they’re not in front of the camera but still have a big influence on the final product) such as Woody Allen, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles.

Originally created in 1923 as a billboard advertising an upscale development between the peaks of Mount Lee, no-one could have foreseen that the famous ‘Hollywoodland’ sign would become so renowned. Almost destroyed by heavy winds in 1944, it lay derelict for six years as the word ‘land’ was removed and repaired but even a facelift in 1973 wasn’t enough to keep it in good condition. It was only when the sign celebrated its centenary that public and celebrities rallied round to fundraise enough to completely replace it.