Touring the Hauntingly Beautiful Hollywood Forever Cemetery

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Hollywood. The home to the stars – both living and dead. While Hollywood and the surrounding areas have multiple cemeteries where Hollywood’s elite have been laid to rest, none is perhaps more notable than Hollywood Forever. Smack in the middle of Tinsel Town, and butting right up against Paramount Studios, this is the final resting place for the likes of voice legend Mel Blanc, legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, early stars such as Douglas Fairbanks and Tyrone Power, Dorothy herself, Judy Garland, the infamous Vampira, and many, many more. Overwhelmed? Don’t worry, every Saturday there is a tour to help you find these stars that still shine bright and if you’re lucky you’ll have a black cat as your co-host!

Entrance for Hollywood Forever with the sign out front. A stone building sits beyond the sign and tall palm trees beyond it.

The gates of Hollywood Forever, which features large metal "H" and "C" on the gates.

A peacock stands near a small well near the entrance.

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing in front of a large tombstone.

The main building of the cemetery, a stone building with ivy covering most of it.

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing in front of a fountain of a cherub.

On a misty Saturday morning that cleared up to provide the classic California sunshine that I’ve grown accustomed to, tour guide Karie Bible took us on a winding and informative walk around the some 60 acre property. Bible has been enchanted by old Hollywood since she was a child, and when she learned there was no official tour for Hollywood Forever she created it herself, with full permission of and involvement with the cemetery, which, it should be noted, is still very, very active. Nearly every Saturday since 2002, Bible has hosted her tour pointing out the graves of various celebrities, notable LA legends, all while dishing the history of each person. But among the headstones or peering down from atop an ivy covered wall you may see a feline or two, as the cemetery is also home to a feral cat colony with over 60 furry faces.

Despite Hollywood Forever being the happy haunting ground for many movie stars, perhaps the biggest star is one of these feral cats, Close Up, the black cat that accompanies Bible on her tours. While nearly all of the other cats scurry away when a visitor gets near, Close Up is extremely friendly and just showed up in the middle of one of Bible’s tours back in 2019, atop Cecil B. DeMill’s crypt no less. He returned the following Saturday, and the next, and the next. Bible dubbed him Close Up, after the famous Sunset Boulevard line “Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up!” Bible has also noticed Close Up is very in tune with the needs of others, and she has even seen him comforting mourners.

When we started our tour, Bible talked about Close Up near the beginning, and said “He likes to make an entrance” and sure enough he did, prowling down the still ever so slightly misty roadway, and then he plopped himself down in front of Bible has she began to tell us about Griffith J. Griffith (for whom Griffith Park is named after, and was also an awful man who attempted to murder his wife by shooting her point blank in the head) and she immediately pulled out some treats for visitors to give the silky feline.

Close-up the black cat makes his way down a roadway with graves and palm trees on either side.

Karie, the tour guide, wears a black dress with a peacock design on the upper left, and holds up two treat bags in front of Griffith J. Griffith's obelisk grave. Close-up the cat sits in front of her awaiting treats.

A brown and black cat lounges in the shade.

A white and brown cat sits high up on an ivy covered wall.

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, petting Close-Up the black cat.

The feral cats aren’t the only animals that call Hollywood Forever home. There are swans, turtles, ducks, and peacocks as well. The peacocks are kind of celebrities too, as they have been featured in stained glass in one of the cemetery’s buildings and even atop the golden dome at the cemetery. Meanwhile a group of black ducks lurk near what is to be Johnny Ramone’s final resting place (his ashes are with his wife, Linda, and when she passes they will both be laid to rest here), and they have been dubbed the Ramone Ducks.

Founded in 1899 as Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, it quickly became the place to be buried. It was originally owned by Isaac Lankershim and his son-in-law Isaac Van Nuys, but later fell under the control of Jules Roth, an “oil swindler and convicted felon” who let it fall into disrepair. It was under Roth’s time that Hattie McDaniel, the first Black actor to win an Oscar, passed away. She wished to be laid to rest at Hollywood Forever, however Roth enforced a racist, whites only policy, and McDaniel was buried at Angelus-Rosedale. When Roth passed away in 1998 the cemetery was bought by the brother team Tyler and Brent Cassidy. The pair reached out to McDaniel’s family asking if they would like for her to be reinterred at Hollywood Forever, but they declined, and instead a cenotaph (a memorial when remains are elsewhere) was erected in McDaniel’s honor.

Other cenotaphs include Jayne Mansfield and a Toto Memorial. Toto, the famous terrier from The Wizard of Oz, was actually named Terry, and a female. When she passed her remains were buried on the property of her owner and trainer, Carl Spitz. However, her grave was destroyed when the Ventura Freeway was built in 1958.

One thing that makes Hollywood Forever unique, aside from the celebrities, is the creativity with the headstones here, including a couch with bronze dachshund statues, a record, and even a missile, just to name a few.

A male peacock spreads his tail feathers into a majestic fan while standing next to a tombstone that features a feather carved into it.

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing in front of a large mausoleum. .

The tall obelisk that marks Griffith J. Griffith grave.

Overall view of Hollywood Forever, with various tombstones and palm trees.

Headstone for Vampira, which features an image of her in her Vampira costume and reads "Maila Nurmi 1922-2008 Vampira Hollywood Legenc"

Karie sits on the grave of Darin McGavin, holding a picture of him, and petting Close-Up.

A large Greek revival style mausoleum sits on an island in the middle of a small lake.

The grave of director Cecil B. DeMille, which features raised, above ground tombs, and a stone marker reading "De MILLE" Karie stands in the back.

Headstone for Burt Reynolds, which features a bronze bust of him wearing a cowboy hat. The headstone reads "Burt Reynolds 02.11.1936 09.06.2018.'

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing in front of the lake that sits in the middle of Hollywood Forever.

Bronze headstone for Don Adams, which features him as Maxwell Smart holding his shoe phone. It reads "Don Adams April 13th 1923 Sept 35th 2005 Beloved husband, father and grandfather. Proudly served his country during WWII in the United States Marine Corps. Comedian, poet, philosopher, movie buff and never late for post time. A tough but sensitive man with a sentimental heart and a passionate soul. He touched our hearts as Maxwell Smart, secret agent 86 in the 1960’s classic TV series, “Get Smart” and filled the world with laughter that will forever be remembered.”"

Wrought Iron gates for an ivy covered building.

The Hollywood sign sits above the cemetery.

A statue of Johnny Ramone playing the guitar sits atop what will be his grave. A plaque reads "Johnny Ramone born John Cummings legendary guitarist for the Ramoes Born - Oct. 8 1948 Died - Sept 15 2004 "If a man can tell if he's been successful in his life by having great friends, then I have been very successful."

A group of black ducks sit near the lake.

Interior view of a mausoleum that features hanging lights, stained glass ceilings, white marble walls with niches.

A stained glass of a tree landscape that sits inside a mausoleum.

Karie stands next to the niche for Rudolph Valentino, which features a bronze plaque reading "Rodolfo Guglielmi Valentino" with two vases on either side of the plaque.

Grave for Tyrone Power, which features a white marble bench.

Cenotaph for Toto, which features a bronze sculpture of Toto atop a red marble block that reads "In Memory of Toto"

The long reflection pool near Douglas Fairbanks' tomb.

Headstone for Mel Blanc, reading "'That's All Folks' Mel Blank Man of 1000 Voices Beloved husband and father 1908-1989"

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing in front of a headstone shaped like a rocket.

The Paramount Studios water tower sits above the cemetery.

An Egyptian Revival style mausoleum.

The crypt of Judy Garland, made of a warm brown-orange marble, which reads "Judy Garland June 10, 1922-June 22, 1969 I'll come to you smiling through the years."

A male peacock sits on a bench near someone's grave.

A statue of an angel holding a woman.

The golden dome of the front building which features peacocks.

A peacock stained glass.

A small well sits near the entrance, and feature cherubs around the base.

Myself, wearing a purple psychedelic print long sleeve dress with a gold scarf at the neck, and a purple scarf in my hair, standing under a floral arch.

While not part of the tour, I wanted to pay a visit to Florence Lawrence. If you don’t know the name, don’t worry, because most don’t. Lawrence got her start in Hollywood in the 1900s and starred in nearly 300 films, many of which were for the Biograph Company. At the time movie stars were not credited on screen (a bizarre contrast from today) so she simply became known as “The Biograph Girl.” Nearly ten years after getting her start, she was severely burned after rescuing another actor from a fire and her career and love life were quite the roller coaster. Lawrence didn’t just star in pictures. She was also an inventor, and, while she never filed the patent, she did invent the “auto-signaling arm” the first turn signal for cars, as well as a break signal. After a wave of misfortune, Lawrence committed suicide by eating ant paste followed by a swig of cough syrup. From her burial until 1991 Lawrence’s grave was unmarked. It wasn’t until Roddy McDowall (one of my favorite actors) came to the rescue and paid for her headstone.

Grave for Florence Lawrence, which reads "Florence Lawrence 'The Biograph Girl' The First Movie Star 1890-1938"

Other notable people interred at Hollywood Forever include Hannah Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s mother), Iron Eyes Cody, musician Chris Cornell, Marion Davies, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Peter Finch, Peter Lorre, fellow Ramone band member Dee Dee Ramone, composer Nelson Riddle, Mickey Rooney, Norma Talmadge, make-up legend Ern Westmore, Golden Girls star Estelle Getty, and scream queen Fay Wray. Legendary mobster Bugsy Siegel is also at Hollywood Forever, however the mausoleum that he is interred in is closed on Saturdays.

In 1999, when Hollywood Forever turned 100, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and earlier this year it became a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. In addition to still being an active cemetery, Hollywood Forever also places host to events such as film screenings, a large Dia de Los Muertos celebration, concerts and even yoga. Located near many film studios, the place is also a popular filming location. Movies and TV shows such as The Prestige, L.A. Story, and American Horror Story: Hotel have filmed here.

Hollywood Forever is free to visit, but if you want a little aid finding the stars, a map is available for purchase. Interested in taking one of Bible’s tours? You can purchase tickets on Bible’s website here. I highly recommend taking Bible’s tour, as it is informative, efficient (you won’t get lost!) and she is truly a joy to talk to! You can find Bible on social media via Twitter, Instagram, and her fantastic cooking blog, Hollywood Kitchen. Need more of Close Up? He has his very own Instagram as well!

See the stars and more at Hollywood Forever at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) in Los Angeles.

March 2024 UPDATE: Close-Up has been adopted by Karie and is living the luxurious life of an indoor cat. However Hollywood Forever continues to be home to many other cats.

What’s Nearby?

Crossroads of the World

Gower Gulch

Jim Henson Company Studio

Musso & Frank Grill

Pink’s Hot Dogs

Various Hollywood Boulevard Attractions

Outfit
Scarf, Brooch, & Belt: ???
Dress: Orange Circle Antique Mall, Orange, California
Purse: Little Rooms
Shoes: Re-Mix

Sources
Alexander, Kerri Lee. “Florence Lawrence“ National Women’s History Museum. Accessed 12 April 2022.
Bible, Karie. “The Hollywood Forever Cemetery Cat.” Palos Verdes Pulse, 13 October 2021. Accessed 5 April 2022.
de Souza, Noel. “Forgotten Hollywood: Florence Lawrence.” Golden Globes, 16 July 2020. Accessed 12 April 2022.
Heidenry, Margaret. “Introducing Florence Lawrence, Hollywood’s Forgotten First Movie Stars.” Vanity Fair, 25 May 2018. Accessed 12 April 2022.
“Hollywood Forever: The Story of an LA Icon.” Discover Los Angeles, 3 January 2020. Accessed 5 April 2022.
“Silent film star and inventor Florence Lawrence dies.” History, 13 November 2009. Accessed 12 April 2022.
Smith, Hayley. “Hollywood Forever Cemetery is named an L.A. historic-cultural monument.” Los Angeles Times, 23 March 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.

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5 comments on “Touring the Hauntingly Beautiful Hollywood Forever Cemetery”

  1. Close Up is so precious! I love when cats decide to tame themselves. And Roddy McDowall was just an awesome human being. Thanks for the tour!

    Reply

  2. Oh, good golly, Jeanie, this is yet another amazing and fascinating article. And your outfit is spectacular. My first grade teacher used to wear a flower pin just that on her dresses.

    Thank you so much for sharing this.

    Reply

  4. Ooohh, Janey, thank you SO much for this stellar look at one of the world’s most famous cemeteries.

    Hand on my heart, I have long hoped you would profile Hollywood Forever (being the cemetery adoring taphophile that I am) and dig a very enthusiast happy dance in my head the second I saw this post in my feeds.

    Many photos of this burial ground have crossed my paths over the years, but few can hold a candle to the beauty and scope of yours.

    I adore this post so much that I have bookmarked it and plan to return to it again – swooning, no less, I’m sure, with each fresh visit.

    Thank you immensely for the tour. It now stands as one of my absolute favourites you have ever taken us on anywhere.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    Reply

    • I have wanted to cover it for so long, and often planned to during the Halloween season, but when my friends invited me, I knew I couldn’t say no! And also it was ever so green and delightful in spring as so many flowers were in bloom. Thank you for your kind words!

      Reply