Hummingbird Nest Ranch is a sprawling estate located in Simi Valley, California. With its lush green landscapes, rolling hills, and Spanish-style architecture, the ranch has served as an iconic filming location for numerous movies, TV shows, commercials, and music videos over the past few decades.
Some of the most notable productions to film at the ranch include Once Upon a Time in America, The Dukes of Hazzard, Diamonds Are Forever, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The ranch’s distinct look and Old West aesthetic have made it a go-to site for productions looking to recreate historical eras and fictional worlds.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of Hummingbird Nest Ranch and provide an overview of the many high-profile films and television shows that have utilized it as a filming location.
History of Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Hummingbird Nest Ranch has a long and storied history. The ranch dates back to 1913 when it was built by wealthy businessman Cornelius Vanderbilt Wood. Wood was a pioneer in the American railroad industry and used the ranch as a summer home for his family.
In the late 1920s, Wood sold the ranch to naturalist Gordon Hall. Hall renamed the estate Hummingbird Nest Ranch and converted the grounds into an animal preserve with exotic species like antelope, zebra, and lemurs.
In the 1950s, the ranch was purchased by actor and singer Gene Autry. Autry was famous for his roles in Western films and used the ranch to house his extensive collection of movie memorabilia and Western artifacts.
The ranch changed ownership several more times over the ensuing decades before being purchased by its current owners, Ron and Nancy Weiner, in 2000. The Weiners have continued to make the sprawling, 150-acre ranch available for filming. Its proximity to Hollywood, wealth of outdoor scenery, and rustic ranch aesthetic have made it a filming location for blockbuster movies, hit TV shows, commercials, and music videos.
Films Shot at Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Numerous major motion pictures have filmed key scenes at Hummingbird Nest Ranch over the years. Here are some of the most notable:
Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
The sweeping Sergio Leone crime drama filmed extensive scenes at Hummingbird Nest Ranch. The ranch filled in for Long Island, New York in the 1930s for sequences set at the palatial estate of a mob boss character.
The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
The ranch doubled as the Duke family home in Hazzard County for the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard movie adaptation starring Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
In this classic James Bond film, Sean Connery as 007 arrives at the ranch via helicopter where he confronts smuggler Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd.
S1m0ne (2002)
In the comedy S1m0ne about a computer-generated Hollywood actress, Hummingbird Nest stands in for the extravagant estate of the movie studio head played by Al Pacino.
The Quick and the Dead (1995)
Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman and Russell Crowe filmed scenes for this Western at Hummingbird Nest Ranch, which doubled for the fictional town of Redemption.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
The Mel Brooks comedy spoofs the classic Robin Hood legend, with Hummingbird Nest Ranch appearing as Prince John’s castle exterior.
Other Major Films
Additional films shot at the ranch include Far and Away, The Ballad of Lefty Brown, See You in the Morning, and Living Out Loud. The diversity of scenery has allowed the ranch to stand in for locations ranging from Ireland to Montana.
TV Shows Filmed at Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Along with being a popular movie filming site, Hummingbird Nest Ranch has hosted production for many hit TV shows over the decades:
Westworld
Several key scenes from HBO’s sci-fi Western drama Westworld starring Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins were filmed on the grounds of Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
Carnivàle
The HBO series about a traveling circus in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression utilized the ranch for important shoots.
The Mentalist
The CBS crime drama filmed multiple episodes at the ranch, using the mansion interior as a billionaire’s home.
Criminal Minds
The BAU team of FBI profilers visited Hummingbird Nest Ranch while investigating a case during an episode of Criminal Minds.
Hell’s Kitchen
Fox’s reality cooking competition hosted a special dinner service at the ranch, with Gordon Ramsay berating the chefs.
Other Notable TV Shows
In addition to the above, TV series that have filmed at Hummingbird Nest Ranch include The Fugitive, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, Falcon Crest, Medium, and Big Love.
Music Videos Filmed at the Ranch
The visually stunning ranch has been an ideal video shoot location for musicians looking for a dramatic, cinematic backdrop:
Heaven’s Gate – Fall Out Boy
The rock band’s surreal music video follows a cult meeting at the ranch, blending real footage with graphic effects.
Love Never Dies – Brandy & Monica
The dueling divas filmed their video reunion at the picturesque grounds of Hummingbird Nest Ranch.
I Drove All Night – Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s melodramatic music video utilizes the mansion interiors along with outdoor scenes.
Other Music Videos
Singers who have also filmed at the ranch include Lady Gaga, Luis Miguel, Anastacia, and some of The Beach Boys classic videos.
TV Commercials & Print Ads Shot at the Ranch
With itsOld California look and feel, Hummingbird Nest Ranch has been an ideal filming site for commercials seeking to evoke the imagery of the Old West:
Taco Bell
The fast food chain shot a series of ads at Hummingbird Nest featuring elderly folks enjoying tacos by the pool and in other scenic spots.
Foster Farms
The poultry company highlighted its “Western raised” chickens in a series of ads on the ranch grounds with cowboys and farm animals.
Kia
The carmaker filmed a Western-themed ad for its Telluride SUV model featuring a chase scene and shootout on the ranch.
Jack in the Box
A funny Super Bowl ad was shot at Hummingbird Nest Ranch with Jack in a hot air balloon as he time travels to the Old West.
Other Brands
Additional brands like Marlboro, Folgers, and more have utilized the ranch for their Western-style advertising. Fashion and cosmetics companies have conducted photo shoots on the picturesque grounds.
Conclusion
With its rich history, Old Hollywood legacy, and diverse scenery, Hummingbird Nest Ranch has established itself as one of the most iconic filming locations in the world. For over a century, the ranch has served as the backdrop for some of the biggest productions across film and television. From classic Westerns to modern dramas to zany comedies, the ranch has proven endlessly adaptable to meet the creative needs of Hollywood. Even as moviemaking technology evolves, Hummingbird Nest Ranch remains a one-of-a-kind destination that transports viewers to another time and place.
