SHOOTING STARS

Paparazzi, those brazen photographers who provide a steady flow of celebrity snapshots to the tabloids, know where to find Hollywood’s stars by day and by night. They are a familiar sight on Oscar night and at movie premieres, but they also track celebrities at bars, restaurants, clubs and charity benefits. While they wouldn’t disclose all of their favorite local hangouts, they did volunteer some of the following.

Paparazzi: Federico Fellini popularized the term paparazzi in his 1959 movie “La Dolce Vita.” The film’s most insolent photographer is named Signor Paparazzo. In Italian, paparazzi roughly means “household pests.”

Photo Facts:

Tabloid TV: In addition to taking still shots of the stars, many paparazzi are juggling video cameras in hopes of selling footage to television programs.

Parachuting paparazzi: Helicopters and parachutes have become tools of the trade for a few daring photographers who seek shots of high-security celebrity weddings.

A dose of danger: Paparazzi have been at the receiving end of more than a few celebrity fists, including those of actor Sean Penn.

How they operate: The photographers spend long hours on Sunset Boulevard sidewalks; they befriend stars and develop connections with parking valets, maitre d’s, club bouncers and airline reservation clerks.

How they sell their photos: Some split fees with photo syndicates that supply the tabloids and movie magazines with celeb shots. Many paparazzi are salaried employees of other photographers, but most act as their own agents. Some pictures fetch five or even six figures; reportedly, a shot of Sylvester Stallone with his fist raised sold for about $50,000, and a picture of Princess Diana, pregnant and in a bikini, sold for $100,000.

R&R;: The combination of L.A.’s recession and riots have made a celebrity photographer’s job all the more difficult. “The day after the riots, they (celebrities) stopped going out,” complained one paparazzo. The recession has also taken its toll, causing the rich and famous to spend less time out on the town.

Paparazzi Places / Eateries

Chasens: An older crowd including Ronald and Nancy Reagan, George Burns, Bob Hope and Charlton Heston.

Dan Tana’s: Older crowd, but was also a favorite hangout for the late Sam Kinison. It is said to be Magic Johnson’s favorite restaurant. Dabney Coleman and Bruce Springsteen are also reported to be customers here.

Forum Club: When there is a game or a concert at the Forum, it’s a good place to catch the Lakers and other celebrities, from Jack Nicholson to Michael J. Fox to Magic Johnson.

Hollywood Athletic Club: Steve Dorff of “Major Dad,” Luke Perry, Jason Priestly and Grant Snow of “Melrose Place,” along with other ‘90s brat packers come to eat, drink, and shoot pool.

The Ivy: Attracts Madonna, Goldie Hawn, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Olivia Newton John, Bruce Springsteen.

Jerry’s Deli: A late-night hangout for the likes of Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy and Charlie Sheen. Popular with kids from both the ‘80s and ‘90s brat packs.

Kate Mantilini: Late at night, a place where celebs can be seen munching burgers.

Le Dome: Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Mickey Rourke, Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor are said to frequent the restaurant. Celebrities avoid being photographed by using the back door.

Nicky Blair’s: Down the street from Le Dome and across the street from Spago. It is known as a pick-up place where gold-diggers size up potential dates by the types of cars they drive.

Patina: Celebs such as Mary Hart, Ed Harris, Diane Keaton and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar can be seen munching caviar-topped blini.

The Olive: It draws the young, hip Hollywood crowd, from Mickey Rourke to young studio execs and agents.

Polo Lounge: Used to be great place to photograph such celebrities as Ronald Reagan and Charles Bronson at Sunday brunch, but now security is too tight for most paparazzi.

Schatzie’s: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s deli attracts many Westside celebs.

72 Market Street: Dudley Moore is part owner.

Spago: Local paparazzi claim Wolfgang Puck’s place is now just another tourist attraction--”the next stop after Mann’s Chinese Theater.” Photographers say that it was the place to be seen in the 1980s during the era of nighttime soap operas. In those days, as many as 30 paparazzi would line the sidewalk and driveway in front of the restaurant in hopes of getting a picture of Joan Collins or someone from the cast of “Dallas.”

Trinity: Teeny-bopper crowd, including the casts from the television shows “Blossom,” “Knot’s Landing” and “Melrose Place,” which has also filmed here.

Clubs

Many top Los Angeles clubs that celebrities frequent have a short life span. They are hot for six months and then they disappear. Some of the known spots at the moment:

Balistics/Whiskey-A-Go-Go: One night per week the Whiskey goes “Balistics,” thanks to David Faustino (Budd on Fox’s “Married With Children”), who takes over the Whiskey to operate a dance club for the under-21 crowd. On some Thursday nights, young celebs, including Barbra Streisand’s son, Jason Gould, and Kirk Cameron’s sister, Candace, show up.

Bar-One: Attracts patrons such as Don Johnson, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Warren Beatty. Since it is a restaurant as well as a bar, some under-age celebrities also show up there.

blak and bloo: Sly Stallone is part owner. Prince goes there, as do some members of the Hollywood biker crowd.

Shopping

Rodeo Drive: Most celebs enter stores through back entrances, and arrange to shop at off hours and have purchases delivered. However, the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Charles Bronson have been seen strolling along the street.

Sherman Oaks Galleria: Valley celebs drop in to shop.

Hospitals

Cedars-Sinai: Its reputation as a quality medical facility, along with its proximity to Beverly Hills, assures its status as a celebrity center.

St. John’s: There is a VIP section where Hollywood celebs such as Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor get treatment.

All Around Town

Anywhere in Beverly Hills, including places such as the post office, where the last picture of Fred Astaire was taken.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences: Screenings at the Academy are a good bet to bring out the stars. However, often celebs RSVP and give the tickets to friends and family.

Biker hangouts: Members of the biker crowd, including Mickey Rourke, Billy Idol, Ray Sharkey, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Bearse (Marcy on “Married With Children”), Prince, Eddie Murphy, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and members of the bands Poison and Motley Crue can sometimes be seen at the Rock Store on Hollywood Boulevard and at the Roxbury.

Directors Guild of America: Like the Academy, a good place to shoot the stars. It’s possible to catch Barbra Streisand and others here.

Hollywood Billiards: Kiefer Sutherland is said to have spent several nights here playing out his sorrow after his breakup with Julia Roberts. Other pool hall celebs include actress Keanu Reeves and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Cristophe hair salon: Hillary Clinton, Sally Field, Ellen Barkin, Steven Spielberg and Bruce Springsteen get their dos done here.

LAX: Because of tight security at the airport, one of the few places that paparazzi can get shots of the celebs without makeup, looking dishelveled and frumpy, is at the luggage pickup area.

SOURCES: Times staff, Times files, celebrity photographers.