A century of Hollywood entertainment
The Henry Fonda Theatre, now known as The Fonda Theatre, stands at 6126 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Opened in 1926 as Carter DeHaven's Music Box Theatre, the building has been part of Hollywood's entertainment history for a century.
Designed by the architectural firm Morgan, Walls & Clements, the theatre was originally intended for live stage productions, particularly musical comedies and revues. Among its early attractions was the West Coast premiere of Chicago in 1927, featuring a young Clark Gable.
During subsequent decades, the theatre underwent several transformations. It accommodated radio productions before becoming a motion-picture theatre under names including the Guild, Fox and Pix. These changes reflected the evolving entertainment industry and the shifting relationship between Hollywood's theatrical and film businesses.
Honoring Henry Fonda
In 1985, the building returned to live theatrical performances and was renamed the Henry Fonda Theatre in honor of Henry Fonda (1905–1982), one of America's most respected stage and screen actors.
The reopened theatre presented Twelve Angry Men, starring Charlton Heston, an especially appropriate choice because Fonda had played the leading role in the celebrated 1957 film adaptation.
Henry Fonda's career extended from Broadway to Hollywood, where he became known for performances in The Grapes of Wrath, The Ox-Bow Incident, Mister Roberts, 12 Angry Men, and On Golden Pond. His final film performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1982.
The theatre's naming commemorated this distinguished acting career rather than a direct ownership or operating relationship with the Fonda family.
Architecture and later restoration
The original Music Box Theatre incorporated elements of Spanish-inspired architectural design and included a rooftop entertainment terrace. Alterations during the building's motion-picture years changed its exterior appearance, while portions of its original theatrical character survived.
In the early twenty-first century, restoration projects sought to recover features of the original theatre. During this period the venue temporarily adopted the Music Box name again.
In 2012, concert promoter Goldenvoice assumed operations and restored the name The Fonda Theatre, establishing the building as a prominent venue for live music.
The Fonda Theatre today
Today, The Fonda Theatre continues to host concerts and other entertainment events on Hollywood Boulevard. Its programming has included internationally recognized performers alongside emerging artists, extending the building's longstanding association with live entertainment.
In 2026, the theatre marks its hundredth anniversary, a milestone connecting the Music Box's original Hollywood productions with a new century of musical performance.
For the Fonda family history, the theatre represents an enduring public tribute to Henry Fonda. Unlike places whose surname origins remain uncertain, this location has a directly documented commemorative connection to a specific family member and his contribution to American performing arts.
Sources and references
- Fonda Theatre, August 2024 — Wikimedia Commons: Modern exterior photograph of the theatre, with credit and license details.
- The Fonda Theatre — official venue website: Current event and venue information for the historic Hollywood theatre.
- Hollywood Historic Trust: Music Box Theatre — changing names, 1985 dedication and Twelve Angry Men production.
- Historic Theatre Photography: Fonda Theatre — architecture, historical photographs and building chronology.
- Los Angeles Times: Fonda Now Gets Second Billing (2007) — restoration and temporary renaming.