Celebrities at the Empire State Building
Some of the biggest stars in the world have made the trip to the Empire State Building Observation Deck. We've welcomed a who's who of famous guests since the day it opened in 1931, as you can see in the gallery below.
But the building's fame goes way beyond who visits, of course. The tower lights have their own immense fandom, as they light up the skies over Midtown for premieres, holidays, milestones, and more. The Empire State Building’s legacy makes it one of the most famous addresses in the world.
A New York Pop Culture Icon
Celebrities at the Empire State Building don't all come for the same reason. Some are tourists like anyone else, drawn by the iconic views of New York City and the allure of a building this famous. Others come for movie premieres, album drops, or charitable causes. For those special moments, every guest of honor beams as they flip the switch at one of the building's tower lighting ceremonies, no matter how famous. What began as a handful of Hollywood visits in the 1930s is now a year-round stream of actors, athletes, musicians, and dignitaries.
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FAQ: Celebrities at the Empire State Building
Yes — the Empire State Building Observation Deck hosts celebrity and dignitary visits throughout the year, though never on a set public schedule. Because these visits aren't announced ahead of time, a celeb sighting is a happy bonus rather than something you can plan. Famous guests most often come for tower lighting ceremonies and press events, and their photos are added to the gallery above afterward.
The Empire State Building has welcomed a who's who of famous guests over the years. They range from actors and musicians to athletes, royalty, and world leaders, and the roster changes all the time as new visitors come through. The best place to see the latest Empire State Building celebrities is the gallery above, where each guest has a page of their own with photos from the visit.
Celebrities come to the Empire State Building Observation Deck for the same reason millions of visitors do — the view of New York City from more than 1,000 feet up. Many also take part in the building's tower lighting ceremonies, where they flip the switch to light the tower for a cause or a milestone, or for a press moment tied to a new project.
Yes — the Empire State Building appears in “Sleepless in Seattle.” The 1993 film builds to its ending at the top of the building, where the two main characters finally meet on Valentine's Day. It is one of the building's many appearances on screen, alongside the movies and television shows that have made its silhouette famous all over the world.