You may be wondering why I decided to write about a creepy, old cemetery, but the Hollywood Forever cemetery really is one of Los Angeles’ top tourist attractions. The cemetery houses the graves of several renowned actors, actresses, directors, producers, writers and even founders of famous movie studios. The following are just a few famous movie stars one can visit at the cemetery: Johnny Ramone, guitarist for The Ramones; Cecil B. DeMille, actor, director, screenwriter and producer; Bugsy Siegel, famous mobster; Peter Finch, Oscar winning actor for his role in the film, Network; and Toto, known for her role in The Wizard of Oz (yes, Toto was a girl). This registered historical site was built in 1899 and is unique compared to other graveyards. Hollywood Forever can be recognized from scenes in several movies and television shows, such as Dexter, L.A. Story and Hot Shots. The cemetery also offers exciting events for visitors, including movie nights, concerts and tours.
“Alright Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”
-Gloria Swanson
Cinespia holds movie nights at the Hollywood Forever cemetery every Saturday night throughout the summer. The first film featured this year was David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Seeing this film at the cemetery was an awesome experience! There is a large grass area where you can lay blankets down and enjoy dinner or a glass of wine while watching the film. The best advice I can give those interested in attending a movie night at the cemetery is to get there a couple hours early. You should also get tickets for these events well in advance, as they sell out pretty quickly.
A handful of famous bands and DJs perform live shows at the cemetery during the summer months. These concerts are either indoors at the Masonic Lodge, or outdoors on the Fairbanks Lawn. This year’s musicians include Modest Mouse, Tame Impala, Butch Walker and many more. You can purchase tickets on the Hollywood Forever website.
There are three tours available at the Hollywood Forever cemetery: The Cemetery of the Stars Tour, The Jewish Heritage Tour, and The Hidden Hollywood Tour. They are usually about two hours long and are conducted regardless of the weather. Group tours have recently become available during the week and are scheduled by appointment.
One characteristic of the cemetery that has always piqued my interest is its reputation for being haunted. There are rumors that a woman in black visits the grave of Rudolph Valentino and places a rose at the site. It is also said that Virgina Rappe, an actress from the 1920s, can be heard crying near the lake. Staff members of Paramount Studios, which is located on former cemetery grounds, claimed to have seen ghosts disappear into the walls of the cemetery. I didn’t experience any paranormal activity when I visited the cemetery, but I will definitely keep my eyes peeled next time.
For hours of operation, parking and a map of the grounds, please visit the Hollywood Forever website.
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