Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park is some of the most exclusive real estate in Los Angeles. In fact, it can be said that major Hollywood stars are just dying to move in. Situated in the dead center of Westwood Village, it is the final resting place of some of Tinsel Town's brightest luminaries.
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| Not the least of which is Marilyn Monroe! |
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| Marilyn Monroe (Source) |
The best part about Westwood Village Memorial Park is that Marilyn and all of the stars are fairly easy to locate because the park itself is rather small. Actually the hardest thing to do is to find the park itself. It is nestled behind a library, a church, office buildings, and residences; it is like a secret garden and once inside, it is a celebrity seeker's dream come true.
"Hollywood Party"
Actors, singers, comedians, directors, studio executives, and authors all mingle together for an otherworldly Hollywood party.
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| See what I mean? Marilyn Monroe & Truman Capote (Source) |
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| Truman Capote (Source) |
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| The Velvet Fog |
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| Mel Torme (Source) |
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| This one is for my brother - a big Coburn fan. |
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| James Coburn (Source) |
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| Don Knotts (Source) |
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| This is not funny...but honestly, the area around her grave was waterlogged. |
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| Natalie Wood (Source) |
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| That voice! It's Bagheera! |
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| Sebastian Cabot (Source) |
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| Fanny Brice (Source) |
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| One of my favorites. I love Peggy Lee! |
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| Peggy Lee (Source) |
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| Even though they had divorced, Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour found rest right next to eachother - sweet! |
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| I've said it before, but it bears repeating; I LOVE The Parent Trap! Brian Keith and Maureen O'Hara had what the French call "chemistry." |
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| Brian Keith (Source) |
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| Les Brown and Dodo I had to include Les Brown as it was with his "Band of Renown" that Doris Day had her first major hit, "Sentimental Journey." (Source) |
"Sentimental Journey" - Les Brown & Doris Day
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| "There goes the neighborhood" Even in death, Dangerfield gets no respect... |
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| Rodney Dangerfield (Source) |
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| One of the best epitaphs ever! |
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| Jack Lemmon (Source) |
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| The epitaphs just keep getting better! |
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| Billy Wilder (Source) |
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| Walter Matthau (Source) |
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| Any surprise that Dean Martin rests in the Sanctuary of Love? |
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| Dean Martin (Source) |
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| He may not have been the biggest star, but Oscar Levant always added an acerbic charm to any movie in which he appeared. |
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| Oscar Levant (Source) |
"That's for Me"
Mary Martin & Oscar Levant in Rhythm on the River
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| Burt Lancaster (Source) |
I couldn't quite make out the epitaph so I had to ask, "Is that Shelley Winters or Judy Holliday." Neither, it's Eve Arden. I Love Lucy, anyone?
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| Eve Arden (Source) |
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| I'd probably lasso the moon for her too! |
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| Donna Reed (Source) |
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| Eddie & Eva - always searching for greener pastures and now residing on God's Green Acres (Source) |
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| Cornel Wilde (Source) |
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| Wordy much? |
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| Daryl F. Zanuck (Source) |
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| Um, hello....hello...Roy...are you there? After spending a major portion of our time searching out Roy Orbison's gravesite, we learned that his grave remains surprisingly unmarked. |
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| Roy Orbison (Source) |
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| When it is my time, I'm thinking the Sanctuary of Tenderness is the place for me. |
I really liked visiting PBWVMP because its quaint size and semi-hidden location made it feel like a secret adventure. Other big names that reside at Westwood Village Memorial Park include Bettie Page (yes, the Bettie Page), Farrah Fawcett, Merv Griffin, Sammy Cahn, Minnie Riperton, Carl Wilson, Jim Backus, Carol O'Connor, Ray Conniff, George C. Scott, and Ross Hunter.
As is the case with many of our expeditions into the world of wacky tacky, we stumbled upon unexpected opportunities to share our knowledge and interests. As we were leaving the park, we were stopped by Hannah, a field reporter for German public radio. She was on assignment to find out why people are drawn to graves, particularly celebrity graves. After addressing all of the creepy issues like obsession with death and asking if we believe that the spirits of the dead stars are roaming the park, we explained to Hannah that our interest is simple - a love of old Hollywood and wonderful music. After the interview was concluded (good thing I took German in High School) we chatted with Hannah about her experience in America. She likened her native Berlin to a big, cozy grandmother who nestled you in her bosom and fed you well. Los Angeles, on the other hand, was like a young, sexy woman with medically-enhanced assets who would use you for fun and then move on to the next thing. Trust me, it sounded very cool with a German accent! Unfortunately, I don't have the link to the interview but if I find it, I will be sure to pass it along.
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| Mary and Hannah |
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park
1218 Glendon Ave
Los Angeles, CA
(310)474-1579
www.pbwvmortuary.com
As we bid adieu to these icons of Hollywood and to the year 2012, I want to say thanks for keeping the wacky tacky momentum alive. The pleasure I get from writing this blog is immense and second only to the great thrill I get from meeting you guys. I hope that you have a safe and crazy sane NYE and a healthy, prosperous 2013! I'm just sure that the new year is going to bring us all plenty of opportunities for wild and wonderful wacky tacky adventures!
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| Happy New Year!!! |
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
The "Daisy Keith" headstone under Brian Keith's caught my eye as they died in the same year. I'm always sort of captivated by loves so great they can't survive without each other. But I was so sad to see that not only had Brian Keith committed suicide, but Daisy was his daughter and she had killed herself only a few months before he did. So tragic! Thank you for sharing all of these. I think this has been my favorite Hollywood cemetery post of yours yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Moe!!! I had always been told that he killed himself because he was afraid of getting decrepit with old age. Obviously, there was a lot going on his life at that time, so the reasons are probably much more complicated - sad any way you look at it.
DeleteWowee! Marilyn, Nat, and Donna all in the same park! Eve and Eva too!
ReplyDeleteIt is a real "Who's Who" of Hollywood history (my favorite kind of history).
DeleteWhat a lovely, interesting post! I live so rediculously close, I really should go over there and check it out. I'd love to pay my respects to some of my favorite stars. It's really sad to see that Roy Orbison's grave is unmarked...do you know what the story is there?
ReplyDeleteThanks Dina! I wish I could offer more insight into why Roy's grave remains unmarked. What little I've seen about his widow indicates that she is a little kooky.
DeleteBarbara Orbison died in 2011-- on the anniversary of Roy's death.
DeleteWell, there you have it.
DeleteWhat wonderful grave sites! We have a famous cemetery in Chicago that we used to live near, but our famed buried ones are mostly founding fathers and architects of our city. Not nearly so glamorous as these!
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best for 2013 to you and yours!!
I love all (okay, most) cemeteries, celebrity and otherwise. I would love to Chicago's historic cemeteries, especially after having read "Devil in the White City. When I was there several years ago, I was so obsessed with seeing (and eating) Superdawg that I didn't make time for much else. Chicago is probably great for a lot of things but the hot dogs are the best!!! Happy New Year to you and Mel!
DeleteThanks for the stolls through the cemetery! I LOVE cemeteries!! I think they are so peaceful and beautiful with flowers and trees and interesting epitaghs. I know it may seem crazy, but I always feel so safe in a cemetery. My family cemetery is a little very old historial one, out in the country, in Rehoboth, MA. So pretty and peaceful there, it's a good final resting place.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about so many of the wonderful singers, actors, actresses, etc. that we loved and grew up knowing - almost all of them are now departed. Scary and sad. And makes me feel rrr-e-e-e-ly old!!!!!
PS Mary always looks so darned cute!
HAPPY 2013 TO YOU!!!!
Thanks RS! I'm with you; cemeteries are awesome! It would be great to visit some of the cool, old cemeteries on the east coast! I particularly love ones that are near the ocean. For as much as I enjoy cemeteries, I try and avoid the thought of my own mortality too much. I just love the history, beauty, and peace. I hope you have a wonderful NYE and a great 2013 as well!
DeleteGeorge C. Scott is supposed to be in this cemetery also. I worked with his son and he told me that he is here and the no one has gotten around to getting a marker on it.
ReplyDeleteYes, now that you mention it, he is indeed buried there and he has subsequently received a headstone. He is in the same row as Mathau, Lemmon, et al. Thanks for reminding me!
DeleteOoh, thanks for the new place to wander! I always visit cemeteries when I'm on vacation somewhere. While I was in London in October, I went to the Victorian cemetery of Highgate--where Karl Marx & Douglas Adams, among others, are buried. It was cloudy and threatening to rain, the wind blowing through my cape. A perfect Victorian afternoon!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so ideal. I can't wait to get over there someday!
DeleteI love how you put their photos next to the gravestone - it is very poignant. And, I love that you included Dean Martin - he is one of my hunkiest movie star crushes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jamie! I'm glad I could bring your crush to you. I love seeing the old DM Celebrity Roasts on TV (if only in infomercial form); maybe one day I'll fork over the dough to see them in their entirety!
DeleteI work a block away from there. Kinda amazing this little cemetery is behind a bunch of highrises.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it feels kind of secret and special. I love it!
DeleteI have long wanted to visit the Masonic cemeteries in Buffalo; many of the graves and mausoleums are done in Egyptian style and motif and I hear they are quite spectacular, some of them! I am sorry I missed going to some of New Orleans' famous above-ground cemeteries when I was there in 1998 and again in 2001 (pre-Katrina) I don't imagine any of them were quite the same ,post-Katrina!
ReplyDeleteThose cemeteries sound incredible. I have always been fascinated by secret societies/fraternal organizations and all of the symbolism. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and cousin were/are Masons but they won't give up any of the secrets; I would love to see the cemeteries. It is terrible that the power of the storm and the resulting devastation are so long-lasting.
DeleteActually, what would you like to know about it? ;-) I have horrified many a Freemason with my knowledge of what they get up to and the meaning behind it all! BTW, the notion that Freemasonry is behind some worldwide conspiracy to 'take over' is COMPLETELY BOGUS. While I can say pretty much definitively that there is sufficient evidence to believe such a conspiracy exists and is working away behind the scenes, it has NOTHING to do with Freemasonry; Freemasonry has been made the SCAPEGOAT that the conspiracy hides behind!
DeleteOh, and the other day there was a feature on MSN about weird houses for sale: there was one in Bath, England, that I LOVED; it was the grounds/gatekeeper's house for a defunct old cemetery there. Apparently the Victorian-era stone house was up for sale; it faced directly on to the street, and the cemetery was no longer in use. Gawd, if I had had the money, I would have had a hard time resisting the purchase of such a unique dwelling! At least one would never have to worry about noisy neighbours!
I'm with you; if there was an international conspiracy, my grandfather would be the last person to be involved! Isn't it great to dream of all the great things we could do with unlimited funds?
DeleteI guess a cemetery is "established" at the start-- and then it's "opened" many times after that!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic blog, you really get the greatness of tackiness! I have never come across a blog that understands my love of old signs, diners etc..
really glad that i found you!!!!
Keep up the great work of discovering all the wacky tacky amazingness in the world!!
Michelle
Thanks Michelle! I'm glad that you are enjoying the blog! I'll do my best to keep you interested and entertained! Cheers!
DeleteI visited this cemetery January 9, 2013, with a friend. We both wandered throughout the place separately. I am "afflicted" with some psychic ability thanks to my late mom and her mom.
ReplyDeleteThere are things going on near some of the graves.
Inside the Sanctuary of Love, standing in front of Dean Martin's grave, I became disoriented, agitated, uneasy, and nauseous...and had to leave. Felt better outside the gate. Something is going on in there, and it isn't good. I really don't think it was related to Martin, but rather, to one of the other residents.
A few hours later, I found out that my friend experienced the exact same sensations in the same gated area, after I told him of my experience. The subject came up when I suggested we go back to the place the next day...he refused to go back because of what he experienced in that Sanctuary. And he is not at all psychic.
The other grave that is "charged" is Natalie Wood's, bless her soul. I sensed agitation, distress, and especially anger. This was the grave where my friend and I rejoined each other, and I found myself translating my feelings into words about what actually happened to her that night. I went from being calm to being blistering.
Sure wish somebody else could validate what we experienced. I'm not from California, but would fly there just to visit this place again.
SPOOKY!!! Unfortunately, I don't possess any of those vibrations/gifts/connections but I love to hear about them. Thanks for sharing!
Delete