Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2025, Glendale had a Census-estimated population of 187,823 making it the 4th-most populous city in Los Angeles County and the 24th-most populous city in California.
Glendale—along with neighboring Burbank and nearby Hollywood—has served as a major production center for the American film industry. Actor John Wayne was raised in Glendale, eventually moving out upon his first marriage; Wayne appeared in over 170 movies in his 50-plus year career. Other actors include Eva Mendes (2 Fast 2 Furious), longtime resident Clarence Nash (voice of Donald Duck), John Cho (Harold and Kumar films), director Ron Underwood (Tremors, City Slickers), and Bette Davis, who lived in Glendale during her short marriage to Arthur Farnsworth.
Athletes from Glendale include baseball's Bob Dillinger (all star 1949; stolen base leader), third baseman, and Babe Herman, right fielder; both men lived long lives in Glendale. Glendale's Sutherland family were all involved in baseball : father Ralph played in the minor leagues, his son Darrell pitched for 3 years in the major leagues, while Gary played 13 seasons as an infielder. Other baseball players include Brandon McCarthy (World series participant, 2017) and Greg Zaun (World Series winner, 1997). Track and field star Frank Wykoff grew up in Glendale, and won 3 Olympic gold medals in relays. Football notables include coach Jim E. Mora (New Orleans Saints), and Duane Bickett (linebacker), who was rookie of the year in 1985.
Glendale has had more than it's share of notable musicians, including Chet Baker, jazz trumpeter; Elvin Bishop (Fooled Around and Fell in Love), Bob Siebenberg (drummer of Supertramp), Scott Gorham (guitarist, Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders), Captain Beefheart, known for avant-rock; Chris Holmes, lead guitarist for W.A.S.P.; Ed King, member of The Strawberry Alarm Clock and Lynyrd Skynyrd; Greg K. of The Offspring, Daron Malakian (System of a Down), Tanya Falan Welk (The Lawrence Welk Show).
Other notable people include Daryl Gates, former Los Angeles Police Chief; and Angelo Buono, one-half of the Hillside Strangler murderers. Comedian/musician Tim Heidecker did an album named In Glendale.