Philadelphia's connection to thirtysomething
thirtysomething was set in Philadelphia.
Michael and Hope Steadman's really neat old house is at 1710 Bryn Mawr Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The street is real but that particular address doesn't exist.
thirtysomething cast/creators with Philly history:
- Series co-creator Marshall Herskovitz was born in Philly and I wonder if maybe he lived on Bryn Mawr and thus placed the Steadmans here.
- Melanie Mayron (Melissa) was born in Philly.
- Mel Harris (Hope) was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It's near Allentown, northwest of Philly.
Real Philly places depicted or mentioned on thirtysomething:
- Lower Merion, Hope & Ellyn's high school in the episode The Burning Bush, is a real school in Ardmore, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Notable alumni include thirtysomething co-creator Marshall Herskovitz, class of '69. His wife Susan Shilliday wrote this episode.
(I only found the first item. Everything else in this list was shamelessly lifted from a posting by "Hal" on the thirtysomething forum)
- Bala Cynwyd - Not exactly main line. Just off of City Ave. That section is also known as the golden mile.
- Chestnut Hill - Full of Million Dollar houses within the city limits. Was originally a place for the wealthy to escape the summer heat. The residents call it Chestnut Hill, PA.
- Wanamakers - Was a terrific, upscale department store. Now out of business. There still is the Wanamaker building on East Market Street in Center City area.
- Acme - A supermarket. Philadelphians call it the Ac-a-me.
- Broad Street - Main North South street in the heart of Philadelphia. The few blocks surrounding city hall now known as the Avenues of the Arts. Great performance spaces. The Kimmel Center, The Wilma Theater and The Academy of Music.
- Race Street- Non descript street in Philly. On the show, it's the locale of Suzannah's charity.
- Walnut Street- Upscale. Runs east to west.
- Le Bec Fin - One of the best restaurants in the world. It can take months to get a reservation. The usually bill for a dinner for two is greater then $500.00. It is run by George Perrier. BTW: You can't call at the last minute and get a reservation.
- (CAREFUL, major spoiler...) The Schuykill expressway is where Gary died. It's also know as interstate 76.
