Hall of Fame
The photos are located on the wall above the main entrance/exit. Los Angeles Times columnist, Chris Erskine writes, "At one point, nearly everyone has eaten at this glorious landmark near Warner studios."
BOB HOPE
The British-born comedian is known for his one-liners and rapid-fire delivery of jokes seen in his Road movies (1940-47), hosting the Academy Awards, and his many USO tours.
For 65 years until his death his primary residence was at 10346 Moorpark Street in Toluca Lake, a 3-minute drive from Bob's Big Boy Burbank, where he was not only a regular customer, but also an investor in Big Boy Franchises Inc.
DEBBIE REYNOLDS
Born in Texas, her family moved to California in 1939, where Mary Frances Reynolds would win a local beauty contest. Movie studios MGM and Warner both fought over Miss Burbank 1948. They settled it with a coin toss; Jack L. Warner christened her "Debbie."
Debbie Reynolds sang like a songbird, had a cherubic face that could soften the meanest of audiences, and parked her red 1955 Ford Thunderbird at Bob's Big Boy Burbank.
CASEY STENGEL
The only manager to ever win five straight (yes, five straight!) World Series (1949-53), Casey Stengel was called Baseball's Greatest Character by baseball author and hisorian, Marty Appel.
Casey and his wife Edna moved to 1663 Grandview Ave in Glendale and remained there the rest of their lives. As San Fernando Valley friends, Bob’s Big Boy founder, Bob Wian, was invited to watch and celebrate the New York Yankees historic run of championships.
RITCHIE VALENS
Born and raised in Pacoima, Richard Steven Valenzuela went to San Fernando High and quickly became known as the "The Little Richard of San Fernando."
He wrote a song for his high school sweetheart, "Donna," the teenage girl who would sneak out her bedroom window to meet Ritchie for sodas at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
ANGIE DICKINSON
During the Great Depression, Angie, only 10 years old, was uprooted from the plains of North Dakota to sunny California. The actress that won a Golden Globe in 1975 attended Burbank’s Bellarmin-Jefferson High, an architectural replica of Philadelphia's Independence Hall.
Angie Dickinson's order of choice at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank is a chocolate milkshake, "thick enough to chew," according to Chris Erskine of the LA Times, and of course a "Big Boy."
JONATHAN WINTERS
A pioneer of improvisational stand-up, Jonathan Winters invented the art form of being several characters at once, all bantering back and forth at each other. "Jonathan's the source for me, the guy that made it all possible," said Robin Williams. "He was my Comedy Buddha."
Before doing comedy in Greenwich Village at New York City nightclubs, Jonathan Winters was born in Ohio, eventually settling in Toluca Lake right around the corner from Bob Hope and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
MICKEY ROONEY
Born to vaudeville parents in Brooklyn, “the Mick” stole their act at the age of only two. He became the first teenager nominated for an Oscar and had an 88 year career in professional acting.
Mickey Rooney loved Indian food, even though he can’t quite remember what anything is called, but he had no trouble ordering for himself as a regular at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
PAUL McCARTNEY
Born in Liverpool, Sir James Paul McCartney, was the founder, co-singer/songwriter, and bass guitarist for a band called The Beatles. The compilation album 1 can summarize the extent of their popularity. Released in 2000, it features all 27 of their songs to chart #1 in the U.S. or U.K.
In 1965, the FAB 4 requested to see a real American diner during their second U.S. tour and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank was lucky enough to fill this need to become a part of Beatlemania.
JOHN LENNON
Born in Liverpool, John Winston Lennon, was the founder, co-singer/songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for the famed British musical group The Beatles. The compilation album 1 can summarize the extent of their popularity. Released in 2000, it features all 27 of their songs to chart #1 in the U.S. or U.K.
In 1965, the FAB 4 requested to see a real American diner during their second U.S. tour and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank was lucky enough to fill this need to become a part of Beatlemania.
GEORGE HARRISON
Born in Liverpool, George Harrison, was the lead guitarist and spiritual guru for a band called The Beatles. The compilation album 1 can summarize the extent of their popularity. Released in 2000, it features all 27 of their songs to chart #1 in the U.S. or U.K.
In 1965, the FAB 4 requested to see a real American diner during their second U.S. tour and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank was lucky enough to fill this need to become a part of Beatlemania.
RINGO STARR
Born in Liverpool, Sir Richard Starkey, known professionally as Ringo Starr, was the drummer for a band called The Beatles. The compilation album 1 can summarize the extent of their popularity. Released in 2000, it features all 27 of their songs to chart #1 in the U.S. or U.K.
In 1965, the FAB 4 requested to see a real American diner during their second U.S. tour and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank was lucky enough to fill this need to become a part of Beatlemania.
ROCK HUDSON
Born in an apartment over a Walgreen's in Winnetka, Illinois, Roy Harold Scherer Jr. was coined "Rock Hudson" by a talent scout combining Rock of Gibraltor with the Hudson River. The rest is storied Hollywood history.
While living in a 10-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion dubbed "The Castle," Rock would regularly cook eggs in his nightshirt for his houseguests. Years prior, he rented a post-and-beam house in Studio City from 1951 to 1955, usually eating breakfast in his car alone at Bob's Big Boy Burbank.
MARTHA RAYE
A comedian, actress, and singer, she worked with many of the leading male comics of her day, including Al Jolson, Abbott and Costello, Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, and Bob’s Big Boy Burbank Hall-of-Famer, Bob Hope. As a female comic, Martha Raye had no equal. Following a deal with Paramount, she starred in a series of zany comedies over-emphasizing her gorgeous legs and big mouth.
“Big Mouth” would have had no problem making a “Big Boy” disappear when eating the original double-deck hamburger at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
DANA ANDREWS
The farm boy from the South turned leading man, worked opposite all the great beauties, including Elizabeth Taylor, Susan Hayword, and most importantly Gene Tierney. Dana Andrews' most critically acclaimed work was with Tierney in Laura (1944).
Before he broke into show business, Dana started out pumping gas in Van Nuys. After some success, he raised his family in Toluca Lake for two decades at 4310 Arcola Lane. The Andrews went to Bob’s Big Boy Burbank to get the very best food and hospitality at a fair price.
ALEXIS SMITH
Hollywood’s statuesque leading lady of the 1940’s and 1950’s co-starred with Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, and Clark Gable. She made a Tony-winning comeback later in her career with the Broadway hit, Follies (1971).
With 300 people in attendance, Alexis married actor Craig Stevens at the Church of the Recessional in Glendale. The Hollywood couple that was married for nearly 50 years, often dined at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
DREW CAREY
The Ohio native served as a U.S. Marine, and after a brief stint as a waiter at Denny's, he became a comedian, writer, photographer, game show host, MLS team co-owner, and Buddhist.
Drew Carey was an everday (yes, everyday!) regular at the Bob’s Big Boy Burbank counter. He even rented out the entire restaurant for a wrap party of The Drew Carey Show.
CRAIG STEVENS
Gail Shikles Jr. took the stage name Craig Stevens, but he’ll forever be remembered as his most memorable character, “Peter Gunn”. Produced, often written and directed by Blake Edwards, with “that” Henry Mancini theme song, Peter Gunn (1958-60) was about a sharp-dressed private eye who dug jazz. It earned 8 Emmy nominations in 1959 and introduced the American public to the “cool jazz” aesthetic.
With 300 people in attendance Craig married actress Alexis Smith at the Church of the Recessional in Glendale, California. The Hollywood couple that lived in the San Fernando Valley were married for nearly 50 years and often dined at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
FRITZ COLEMAN
Southern California’s beloved weathercaster grew up back East, served in the U.S. Navy, and was a part of the longest-running evening news teams with Chuck Henry, Colleen Williams, and Fred Roggin.
Fritz Coleman eats healthy at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank. He orders two eggs (poached), turkey sausage, fruit, and buttered wheat toast.
SUZAN BALL
Born in Jamestown, New York, Susan Ball was the second cousin of Lucille Ball. Her family moved to North Hollywood in 1941. Suzie graduated from North Hollywood High in the summer of 1951.
The stunning brunette, who critics have compared to Marilyn Monroe for her shapeliness, was a regular at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank. While filming City Beneath the Sea (1953), she and Anthony Quinn arrived at Bob’s in a top-down convertible.
JAY LENO
Best known for replacing Johnny Carson at the helm of The Tonight Show, Jay Leno is a host, writer, tireless stand-up comic, and owner of the most expensive car collection in the United States.
Both the former-NBC studios and Jay's Garage are located in Burbank, making it convenient for him to be a Friday Night Car Show regular at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
ROBERT HAYS
Best known as "Ted" as in "Ted Striker," Robert Hays played the hero in Airplane! (1980). The movie would break all records for the highest-grossing comedy in theatrical history.
Bob Hays still never eats fish on a plane, but he is a once in a while customer at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank.
JOHN SALLEY
The first player to win an NBA championship with 3 different teams, John Salley, was also the first player to ever win them in 3 decades (1989, 1990, 1996, 2000). Robert Horry has since won with 3 teams and Tim Duncan in 3 decades.
The former-NBA player, TV/radio host, actor, outspoken vegan, chef, and wellness entrepreneur is a Bob’s Big Boy Burbank regular and, in part, responsible for getting the Vegan Burger on the Bob’s Big Boy menu.
DANNY TREJO
The former-criminal turned Hollywood movie star, Danny Trejo has made a documentary about his life called Inmate #1 (2020). A penal-league boxing champion, he was traditionally cast as a tough guy in movies like Desperado (1995), Heat (1995), and Con Air (1997).
Trejo admits to robbing Bob’s Big Boy Burbank during his troubled youth growing up in Pacoima. He still resides in the San Fernando Valley, in which his garage has a floor-to-ceiling mural of Bob’s Big Boy Burbank with Michelle Rodriguez’s character from Machete (2010) and his 1965 Buick Riviera.
KYLE MacLACHLAN
Best known as FBI “Special Agent” Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks (1990-91), Kyle MacLachlan won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for the TV series in 1990. He’s also well known from a variety of widely popular TV shows including Sex and the City (2000-02), Desperate Housewives (2004), and Portlandia (2011-18).
The “boy next door, if that boy next door spent a lot of time in his basement,” according to a 1994 Rolling Stone article, likes to doodle with his knife into his ketchup at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank while he’s with David Lynch and Laura Dern.
LAURA DERN
The actress that always chooses the right roles, whether indies or box office blockbusters, and never plays the same character twice — has won an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy, and five Golden Globes.
Director David Lynch didn’t even audition her for Blue Velvet (1986). He just wanted her to meet Kyle MacLachlan, so he invited them all to a Bob’s Big Boy Burbank for a kind of chemistry meeting.
DAVID LYNCH
The innovative American filmmaker is known for his visually arresting aesthetics and non-linear storytelling. David Lynch's films tend to either enthuse, or conversely, frustrate. “You’re a madman. I love you!” said Mel Brooks. “What’s happening?” said most the American public.
One thing everyone can agree upon is David Lynch would lunch late at 2:30pm while enjoying coffee and chocolate milkshakes at Bob’s Big Boy Burbank. The resulting buzz from the sugar and caffeine would lead to many of his ideas, which were jotted down on Bob’s Big Boy napkins.
