Singer John Mayer and filmmaker McG announced Monday they have completed the purchase of Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, returning the complex to its original name of Chaplin Studios.
“This studio has stood at the center of Hollywood’s history for generations, and it’s a privilege to help shepherd it into its next chapter,” Mayer said in a statement. “Beyond its film legacy, the musical history here is extraordinary — from the A&M years and being home to A&M Records to landmark albums recorded on this campus to `We Are the World’ being captured inside Studio A. The Chaplin lot has given the world some of its most enduring art, and our goal is to honor that legacy by keeping it working, open, and accessible to the creative community.”
The property on La Brea Avenue south of Sunset Boulevard will continue operating as a “fully staffed, fully functioning production and recording facility,” serving projects including music, film, television and digital media, according to the studio.
The Henson Co. moved into the former Charlie Chaplin Studio property in 2000, but agreed last year to sell the property ahead of its move to Radford Studio Center in Studio City.
Charlie Chaplin founded the studio in 1917.
“You can feel the spirit of Hollywood’s past the moment you set foot on this lot,” McG said in a statement. “From Chaplin to Superman, to `Soul Train,’ this place is a cornerstone of our industry’s history. John and I are committed to respecting that heritage while ensuring the studios remain a vibrant, fully operational home for filmmakers, musicians, and creators. We want artists to walk through these gates and immediately feel that spark of possibility.”