Union Station To Co-Host The Oscars

LOS ANGELES, CA — Like an aging star making a comeback, LA's historic Union Station will play center stage at this year's Oscar ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.

The glamorous train station has long been a favorite setting for filmmakers, but this will be the first time Hollywood's biggest night of the year will take place at Union Station along with Dolby Theatre. Audiences will recognize Union Station, which was used in an array of films including "Blade Runner," "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Hustler," "The Italian Job," "Pearl Harbor," "Bugsy" and 1973's "The Way We Were" and countless more since it was built in 1939.

Academy officials opted to host the ceremony from the Dolby and Union Station in an effort to allow for social distancing during the pandemic.

But if the show must go on, so must the train schedule.

Metro officials said the Oscars will not disrupt transit service during the April 25 ceremony

"Union Station will remain open to transit riders throughout the awards events and riders will be able to access all bus, rail, Metrolink, Amtrak and private transportation providers, along with vendors," according to a statement from Metro. "Alternative waiting accommodations for Metrolink and Amtrak riders will be provided. Signs throughout Union Station will help visitors navigate to transportation and parking options. During closures, customers will be able to access transit services through Union Station East.

According to Metro, the April 25 Oscars will be held in the building's Historic Ticketing Hall, the Grand Waiting Room, the main entrance along Alameda Street and on the north and south patios.

"Union Station is one of the most iconic landmarks in Los Angeles County and we are honored for it to be highlighted at the 93rd Academy Awards," Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said in a statement. "We look forward to helping celebrate excellence in film in a safe and healthy manner while still ensuring that our transit riders can reach their essential destinations."

While Metro insists that service won't be impacted by the Oscars, the agency traditionally closes the Red Line subway station at Hollywood and Highland — home of the Dolby Theatre — to accommodate the ceremony.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.