Tour the Tombs of the Movie Stars

In Hollywood, if you don't see a living film star, go see a dead one

Mar 2, 2007

Touring the graves in Los Angeles cemeteries like Forest Lawn is an unusual visitor attraction, but even in death, Hollywood movie stars are larger than life

The fame of most Hollywood celebrities doesn't end when they're six feet under. Most days you'll see fans of movie stars touring the tombs in search of their American idols. It can seem a little macabre, but there is also something very moving about being close to the mortal remains of these Hollywood immortals. Here is a visitor guide to the main cemeteries, and some of the famous names who are buried in them.

FOREST LAWN GLENDALE

You'll need to check in advance where your idols are buried as this cemetery doesn't hand out the information. It's the last resting place of celebrities such as Walt Disney, Errol Flynn, Chico Marx, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Nat 'King' Cole and Humphrey Bogart. 1712 S. Glendale Ave; phone 800-204-3131; www.forestlawn.com

FOREST LAWN HOLLYWOOD HILLS

Again, try to find out first where your favorites are buried. Here you can find (if you know where to look) Bette Davis, Liberace, Buster Keaton and Lucille Ball. 6300 Forest Lawn Drive; phone 800-204-3131; www.forestlawn.com

HILLSIDE MEMORIAL PARK

Here in this Jewish cemetery they're happy to help you find the burial spots you're looking for, so get a map when you enter. Here lie Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson, amongst others. 6001 Centinela Ave., Baldwin Hills; phone 800-576-1994; www.hillsidememorial.com

HOLLYWOOD FOREVER

Right in Hollywood itself, though it doesn't have an excess of celebrity movie star graves as many of the most famous film stars didn't actually live in Hollywood. Here you'll find John Huston, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks Snr and Jnr. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; phone323-469-1181; www.hollywoodforever.com

HOLY CROSS CEMETERY

Maps are available to the famous graves in this Catholic cemetery, which include Sharon Tate, Bing Crosby, John Ford and Bela Lugosi. 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City; phone 310-836-5500

WESTWOOD VILLAGE MEMORIAL PARK

The most famous movie star resident here is Marilyn Monroe, and others include Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, writer Truman Capote and rock and roll star Roy Orbison. 1218 Glendon Ave., Westwood; phone 310-474-1579

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