Lights, Camera, Loudoun!

You don’t have to be the President of the Ryan Gosling fan club, or a member of the paparazzi to admit seeing celebrities is fun. Getting a glimpse of these stars of the silver screen going about their everyday lives reminds us that we aren’t so different. In a similar way, it’s exciting when we get to see the places we know so well appear on the big screen. Loudoun most recently experienced this with the release of Steve Carrel’s and Channing Tatum’s movie “Foxcatcher” (2015), which was filmed at Leesburg’s Morven Park.

This historic home certainly isn’t Loudoun’s first flirtation with Hollywood, especially with the annual Middleburg Film Festival , which happens this weekend. The festival brings in stars like actor Emma Stone, writer Greta Gerwig, director Joel Edgerton and many more. To prepare for this blockbuster weekend ahead, here are a couple other memorable movie moments from Loudoun County!

Loudoun’s Acting Chops

Loudoun’s presence in the film industry can date back to Wilton Lackaye, a famed Broadway and silent film actor who was born in the county in 1862. Lackaye was most famous for the role of Svengali in the play Trilby in 1895. More recently, the Red Fox Inn’s Tap Room was a favorite stop for Elizabeth Taylor during her courtship and marriage to Senator John Warner.

Now Airing

Two major landmarks in Eastern Loudoun are the Washington Dulles International Airport, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. As a major transportation hub for our nation’s capital, Dulles has been featured in many films including “In the Line of Fire,” “Forces of Nature” and “Body of Lies.” The Udvar-Hazy Center is known for its impressive collection of retired aircraft, many of which are displayed in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Producing Memories

Loudoun also has some prominent residents who have spent some time behind the camera including Sheila Johnson, President and CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts. Ms. Johnson was an executive producer of the critically acclaimed film “The Butler,” which was inspired by Eugene Allen’s 34 year career as a waiter and butler in the White House.

Next time you venture out into Loudoun, make sure you bring your camera. You never know who you may see, or whether your backdrop will also be featured in the next Hollywood blockbuster.

Make sure you tag your photos with #LoveLoudoun to share them with us!