Hollywood Forever Cemetery Los Angeles

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Los Angeles

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the first in Hollywood and one of the most popular in the world. Many film industry stars and some members of their families are buried here, about 80 thousand celebrities in total, including silent film star Rudolph Valentino, director Victor Fleming, singer Joe Dassin and others.

Among others, the famous American actor who voiced Warner Bros. cartoons, Mel Blanc, rests in the Hollywood Forever cemetery. On his tombstone there is an inscription carved: “That’s all, guys!”

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A Little History

In 1899, the cemetery was taken over by the famous US swindler Jules Roth. He sold plots here for private development, and the place quickly fell into disrepair. It got to the point that during the funeral of singer Cass Elliott, the walls of the crematorium began to collapse with a roar, and it was closed.

During his years of ownership of the cemetery, Roth was at the center of many scandals. One of the most notorious involved his refusal to bury Oscar-winning black actress Hattie McDaniel.

After Roth’s death in 1998, philanthropists were found who bought these lands, put everything in order and even bought peacocks for beauty. Movies have been filmed here more than once, in particular, the horror film “Once Upon a Dark Night”, the comedy “Valentine’s Day”, etc.

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What To See

Today, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is active and does not make a gloomy impression. This is a huge green area where locals and tourists come with sun loungers, wine and board games to walk and relax, and from the cemetery gates you can see the very inscription. Tours of the cemetery are available for those interested.

On Saturdays in the summer, Cinespia film screenings are held at the cemetery: more than 3,000 people have a picnic and watch a film from the last century - in tribute to the stars of the movie. The wall of Rudolph Valentino's mausoleum is used as a screen.

Musicians also regularly perform here, including world-famous stars: Lana del Rey, Glasvegas, etc. In 2011, The Flamming Lips played a two-day concert appropriately titled “Everyone You Know Will Die Someday.”

Practical Information

Address: Los Angeles, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, CA 90038.

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 17:00, except for evening events. Admission: free, concert tickets - from 20 to 50 USD.