Famous Final Resting Places: Hollywood Forever

Although taking road trips up the Californian coast and exploring amazing cultural sights might be among the most popular things to do in Los Angeles, a surprising number of visitors enjoy touring the city’s iconic cemeteries. The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a Los Angeles landmark with a history dating back to 1899. The area played a starring role in early Hollywood's growth with Paramount Studios occupying the back half of the space that was originally called the Hollywood Cemetery.

It has since become the cemetery of choice for hundreds of Hollywood's brightest stars, studio heads, writers, and performers. People come from all corners of the world to visit graves in the cemetery, both on self-guided tours and official guided walking tours.

Self-guided tour of the most popular graves

It may seem awkward or a little macabre to view a cemetery as a tourist attraction but, given the star power of those who count the Hollywood Forever Cemetery as their final resting place, it is almost inevitable. The headstones include names you'd otherwise see in lights or in your favorite magazines, with remains housed in a variety of settings ranging from immense mausoleums to lakeside tombs. The cemetery also includes the graves of big-name producers, directors, actors, musicians, and other notable Los Angeles figures.

Griffith J. Griffith

This name may not immediately strike a chord for those outside of Los Angeles, but locals know it well. The grave of the man who donated the land that is now home to Griffith Park is marked with an obelisk. You can find his grave in Section 7 (Griffith Lawn).

The Ramones

Two members of the punk band The Ramones were laid to rest in this cemetery. Dee Dee Ramone, one of the band’s founders, is buried near the aquarium in the Garden of Legends (Section 8), while fellow founding member Johnny Ramone is buried down the road.

Bugsy Siegel

The marker for this notorious gangster is located in the Beth Olam Jewish Cemetery at Hollywood Forever. Siegel died in his girlfriend’s home at age 41 from a fatal gunshot wound.

Jayne Mansfield

While bombshell Jayne Mansfield was often compared to Marilyn Monroe, she curated an image and legendary status of her own. She died in a car accident at age 34. Her actual grave is in Pennsylvania, but fans still make a pilgrimage to her cenotaph, located in the Hollywood Forever Garden of Legends.

Mel Blanc

Kids everywhere will know the voice of Mel Blanc, who lent his chops to beloved cartoon characters such as the Tasmanian Devil and Bugs Bunny. His tomb is even inscribed with one of his famous character’s signature lines, "That's All Folks."

Rudolph Valentino

Although Valentino died decades ago, at the age of 31, his grave remains one of the most frequently visited in the cemetery. Legend has it that a woman in black roams the grounds mourning the death of this handsome actor. His grave is located in the crypt of the Cathedral Mausoleum.

Hobart J. Whitley

Another name that many folks may not immediately recognize, Whitley played a key role in naming this area while he was on his honeymoon. For that reason, he's often called the Father of Hollywood. His plot is located on the South Wall of the Colonnade.

Cecil B. DeMille

Renowned for his lavish wedding presents and prolific career as a director, DeMille's tomb in the Garden of Legends at Hollywood Forever Cemetery remains a popular spot for visiting tourists. He directed more than 50 movies, both silent and talkies, including iconic flicks like "Cleopatra" and "The Ten Commandments."
 

Guided Tours of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

If you prefer taking guided tours, the two-and-a-half hour Hollywood Forever Cemetery Walking Tour is a great way to see the resting places of all the stars buried here. The tour company also offers alternate tours, such as the Jewish Heritage tour, which focuses on the lives of Hollywood Forever's Jewish residents, including stops at the Beth Olam Mausoleum, Bugsy Siegel's grave, Charles Feldman's grave, and the Anne Frank Memorial. Another alternate tour, Hidden Hollywood, takes you to the graves of more obscure stars, such as director William Beaudine, silent stars Renee Adoree and Karl Dane, and the Talmadge Sisters.

Catch a Flick at the Cemetery

In what can only be described as a surreal experience, you can now snack on popcorn while watching movies at the cemetery. During the summer months, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery opens its gates, dims its lights, and yells "Action!" with its Cinespia outdoor movie series. During movie screenings, Fairbanks Lawn transforms into an outdoor theater as patrons line up with their low chairs, blankets, and pillows. There’s even a pre-show DJ to warm up the crowd before every screening.
 

Other Nearby Attractions

After touring the cemetery, you can continue exploring the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with TMZ celebrity tours. This two-hour celebrity tour takes you through all the hotspots the City of Angels has to offer, including the Sunset Strip and Beverly Hills. Not only could you bump into some of your favorite stars, including the likes of Kim Kardashian, Lizzo and Jamie Foxx, but you’ll get to relive some of the world’s most memorable celebrity moments from the comfort of your luxury tour bus.

For a taste of Hollywood tradition, travel a few blocks over to Paramount Pictures and discover more than a century of Hollywood history on one of its studio tours. Get a behind-the-scenes view of Hollywood's longest-running movie studio and leave with a much better understanding of what goes into the making of your favorite movies.
 

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