Welcome to Hollywood Graveyard, where we
set out to remember and celebrate the lives of those who lived to entertain us,
by visiting their final resting places. Today we're exploring Evergreen Cemetery,
where we'll find such stars as Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Louise Beavers, and a
Little Rascal named Stymie. Join us, won't you? After spending some time in New York and
the Inland Empire, we've finally got our feet firmly planted back in LA, and what
better place to pick up where we left off than in the oldest cemetery in Los
Angeles: Evergreen Cemetery, which is located just east of downtown in the
Boyle Heights area... the downtown city skyline mingling with aging tombstones
off in the distance. The 67 acre cemetery was founded in 1877 and hosts over
300,000 interments, including many of LA's early pioneers. Evergreen was founded as
the first secular cemetery in Los Angeles, with the proviso that it
allocate a small portion of land in the southeast corner to the city, for burial
of indigents and those with no next of kin, or no way to pay for burial. This
area became a potter's field, and is now the location of the Los Angeles County
crematorium and cemetery. LA's homeless or those with no next of kin are
cremated here, their ashes held for three years.
If unclaimed they are eventually buried here in mass graves, marked only by the
year in which they died. In 2005 the expansion of the Metro Gold Line
uncovered nearly 200 burial sites from the potter's field. Research revealed
most of them to have been of Chinese descent. Evergreen cemetery serves as a
snapshot of American life in the late 19th and early 20th century, for better
or worse, and documents this nation's troubling history of racism and
discrimination. Along with Rosedale cemetery, Evergreen
was the only cemetery in early LA that allowed for burial of all ethnicities,
including African-Americans. But early on the cemetery was segregated into
sections by race. However in the late 1800s Chinese immigrants were not
allowed to bury their dead in any Cemetery in the city. Evergreen allowed
Chinese burials, but only in the city's potter's field, not in the cemetery
proper. And to add to the indignity Chinese were charged $10 for burial - the
equivalent of around 300 today - in a section of the cemetery where white
indigents were buried for free. The remains of those exhumed during the metro expansion were relocated to Evergreen Cemetery and given a proper burial here - the unnamed
individuals marked with headstones featuring prayers in English, Chinese, and
Spanish. This memorial sits next to an original Chinese shrine built by Chinese
settlers in 1888 this is where they held their seasonal rites and memorial
ceremonies. Another of the remarkable memorials here is a monument to the
442nd Infantry: a Japanese-American unit in World War II. They are the most
decorated unit in US military history, their service and sacrifice made all the
more remarkable knowing that back home the country they were fighting for was
locking away many of their family and friends in internment camps. The history
of Evergreen took a strange turn in the 1920s, at the height of prohibition. Late
at night passers-by told of hearing shrieks and raucous laughter coming from
within the cemetery. Rumors of spirits spread. The police looked into it one
night, following the sounds through the graves to the cemetery superintendent's
cottage. Upon entering they were not met with the tools of a gravedigger, but
rather barrels of wine and whiskey, and neatly arranged glasses along two bars.
There was a speakeasy operating in the heart of the cemetery. The superintendent was
arrested and the booze destroyed, leading the police captain to quip, "There are no
more spirits in Evergreen Cemetery, though there may be a few ghosts for all
I know." And like many of the cemeteries we've
visited in and around LA, you've seen evergreen in the background of some of
your favorite film and TV shows, including A Nightmare on Elm Street. We'll begin our tour left of the
entrance in section A up the hill, the section originally set aside for
internment of African-Americans. Here is the grave of Eddie Anderson, known by a
generation of radio and TV audiences as Rochester. He began performing in
vaudeville and rose to fame as Jack Benny's valet on the Jack Benny program.
As Jack's right-hand man Rochester became the first black American man to
have a regular role on a nationwide radio program, instantly recognizable for
his scratchy voice and sharp wit. His character became immensely popular and
when the Jack Benny program moved to television in the 1950s Anderson
continued in the role of Rochester. "You know, these television shows are hard work." "Yeah. It's tough on both of us." "What do you mean, both of us?" "Boss, you only tell the jokes.
I have to sit out there and laugh at them." "Sensitive of racial humor, particularly
after World War II, Jack Benny and his writers, along with Anderson, made a
conscious effort to remove African-American stereotypes from the
Rochester character. American audiences saw in Rochester a black man who, though
working as a butler, was not subservient, and was depicted as intelligent, often
outwitting Jack Benny. He continued in the role of Rochester until the series
ended in 1965, and they remained close friends until Jack's death in 1974.
Outside of the Jack Benny Program Anderson could be seen in films as well,
including You Can't Take it with You, and Cabin in the Sky. He died of heart
disease at the age of 71. Just northwest of here we find actor
John Larkin, sometimes known as Jolly John. He was known as the Rajah of Mirth,
and the funniest colored comedian in the world. He began on stage in minstrel shows and on vaudeville before being featured in
Hollywood films beginning in the 30s, films like Sporting Blood, and The Great
Ziegfeld, leading him to become, for a time, the highest-paid black performer in
film. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in his 50s. Left along this same row, just
past a tree, is another pioneering black performer, Louise Beavers, who, like most women of that era, was often cast as maids or servants - the mammy archetype.
She's best known for her role as Delilah in the 1934 film Imitation of Life. The
film is considered one of the most important early films on race relations
in America. It was a breakthrough not only for Louise as an actress but also
for black cinema in that it was perhaps the first major film to depict a black
woman's plight as a significant plot point. "What can I do for you?" "Peola? Why, Peola child, I'm your Mammy." "Why, that's ridiculous.
I never saw you before in my life." "What's the meaning of this?" "This this woman doesn't know
what she's talking about. Do I look like her daughter?" Other film roles include Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. On television Louise took over the role of Beulah after Hattie McDaniels'
death in 1952. She died of a heart attack at age 60 and was interred here with her
mother. In 1976 she was inducted into the black filmmakers Hall of Fame. Let's head
back to the road and continue to make our way around to Section E. In from the
western road a short ways we find the grave of Catherine Grant. In 1922 she won
the Miss Los Angeles beauty contest which brought her to the attention of
Hal Roach. She signed with Roach's studio and began making appearances in silent
comedies, often seen alongside Charley Chase. She made about 50 films in
her short career. Hal Roach believed she was poised to be a great success, but
luck was not on her side. She was struck by a hit-and-run driver in 1925. She
survived, but her injuries and psychological trauma of the accident,
affected her career. Her health was also ravaged by yo-yo dieting. She eventually
required full-time care and spent the last years of her life in the hospital.
She died at the age of 32. Her grave remained unmarked until Jessica from
Silence is Platinum facilitated the placement of this marker in 2016. Further northeast in this same section,
not far from the road, we find Johnny St. Cyr. He was a banjo and guitar player, an
early figure in jazz. He's remembered for playing in Louis Armstrong's bands in
the 1920s. He also played with Jelly Roll Morton. In addition to playing, St. Cyr
also wrote songs, including the standard "Oriental Strut." [music] Later in life he led the
Young Men from New Orleans, a group that performed at Disneyland. He died at the
age of 76. Let's continue to the farthest section east,
section L. Heading toward the northeast corner,
past a large tree, is the grave of H.T. Tsiang. He was born in China and
immigrated to the US as a student. He began his career as a writer penning
socially-conscious poems, novels, and plays. He's considered a pioneer of
Chinese-American literature, often painting a picture that illustrates the
challenges generations of Chinese- Americans faced in trying to assimilate
into a foreign land. He eventually made his way to Hollywood to be an actor, with
roles in films like the Purple Heart and Tokyo Rose. Straight south on this same
lawn, close to the eastern fence, is the grave of Matthew Beard, better known as
the Little Rascal, Stymie. He made his debut as the bowler hat-wearing Little
Rascal in the early 30s. His trademark hat was actually a gift
from Stan Laurel. Beard's character was originally to be named Hercules, but Our
Gang director named him Stymie, as he was often stymied by young Matthew's
wanderings and antics around the set. He quickly became one of the series'
favorite characters, and would perform in nearly 40 short films between 1930 and
1935. "You must be hungry." "Boy, and how! I could eat a rubber boot." "You got any money?" "Nope." "Nope." "Well how do you expect to eat?" "Well, we don't expect it, we just want it." After Our Gang he landed small roles in films like Captain Blood, and Jezebel, but retired
from acting by high school. He returned to acting later in life, making
appearances on television shows like Sanford and Son and Good Times.
He died of pneumonia after suffering a stroke at the age of 56. He was buried
with one of his famous bowler hats. A little further south is the grave of
Bobby Nunn. He was a singer and member of the R&B group The Robins, and later The
Coasters, known for the doo-wop sound. Their hits included "Young Blood" and
"Searchin", but Bobby Nunn left the group before they released their biggest hit,
"Yackety-Yak." After The Coasters, Nunn would continue to sing in various groups
until his death in 1986. Back west, on either side of the road, is a section known
as Showmen's Rest, an area of the cemetery established by the Pacific
Coast Showmen's Association. Here is where some 400 carnies and circus
performers would be laid to rest - from acrobats, to candy peddlers, toy makers,
carnival barkers, thrill ride operators, anyone who made a living in the circus,
carnivals, or sideshows, found rest in these plots. Let's meet a few of them. Dainty Dotty was a circus fat lady, weighing in at close to 600 pounds, and
later in life became a tattoo artist. Daisy Marrion was an acrobat and
aerialist in the circus for The Four Sky Devils. In 1955, while performing the
breakaway, the ropes broke and Daisy fell some 80 feet to the ground in front of
horrified onlookers. She died days later from her injuries at the age of 38. Frances Belle O'Connor was born without arms, and made her living appearing in
circus sideshows, billed as The Armless Wonder, and
the Living Venus de Milo. She would perform normal acts like eating, drinking, and writing, using her feet. She
also appeared in Tod Browning's cult classic, Freaks in 1932. Emilie Bailey was another of the
circuses renowned fat ladies, weighing around 300 pounds, and
dancing her way into the spotlight. Stephen Merten's headstone reads, "Spin
joyfully, merry-go-round." Mr. Merten was the man who operated the merry-go-round
at carnivals. And Hugo Zacchini, known as the human cannonball. He was the first
man ever to be shot out of a cannon, a stunt he first performed in the 1920s.
Zacchini would quickly be recruited by Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey
Circus. Let's leave Showmen's Rest, and take the
next right. On the left is section I. Next to the road we find Bob Relf. He was a
singer best known for teaming up with Earl Nelson in the duo Bob & Earl in
the 1960s. The R&B group is best known for their hit "Harlem Shuffle." [music] He went on to do solo work, including the
popular track "Blowing My Mind to Pieces." He died in 2007 at the age of 70. Continuing west, just past the intersection, is section E again, on the
right. In several rows is the grave of pioneering animator Frank Braxton. He's
considered Hollywood's first black animator, the first black man hired by
both Disney and Warner Bros, in the 1950s. His most notable work came from
his time with Jay Ward's animation studio, animating George of the Jungle, The
Bullwinkle Show, Mr. Magoo, and Linus the Lion-hearted. He also animated for a
number of Charlie Brown TV specials. He was just 40 when he died of cancer. On
February 2nd 2019, just a few weeks ago, Braxton was posthumously honored with
the Winsor McCay Award for lifetime achievement in animation. South of here is section H. Where do the stars go to buy their groceries? Well if not at Whole Foods,
there's a good chance to spot them at Ralphs. George Ralphs founded his
first grocery store in 1873 and a 1909 incorporated Ralphs Grocery Company. It's
now the largest supermarket chain in Southern California, and where I buy all
my Reese's. In 1914 George Ralphs was enjoying a weekend trip with his wife in
the San Bernardino Mountains. He sat to rest on a large boulder, which
became dislodged and rolled down the mountain, carrying Ralph's with it. The
boulder crushed his leg, which had to be amputated. After awaking from surgery he
briefly spoke to his wife, but died of shock a short time later. He was 63. Let's make our way now to the southern end of section I on the left. Here is the grave of Francis Quinn.
As you might have discerned from the classic race car on
his marker, Quinn was a race car driver. He was the 1930 triple a Pacific
Southwest champion and qualified for the Indy 500 in 1931. In December, Quinn was
headed to Oakland for a race but learned that the race had been cancelled due to
rain. They turned around and headed back to LA, but en route Quinn's car was
struck head-on by a truck that veered into his Lane. He was killed at just 28
years old. Let's continue to follow this outer road west, and stop off at the Ivy
Chapel. This is where many of the funerals here at Evergreen take place. Just past the chapel on the right is
Section G. If you've spent any time in the San Fernando Valley, where major
studios like Disney, Universal and Warner Bros are located, then the names
Lankershim and Van Nuys will sound familiar to you.
Isaac Lankershim a German immigrant began his career growing wheat around
Southern California. By the 1860s he'd moved to LA and acquired 60,000 acres in
the San Fernando Valley, where he started a ranch and later grew wheat. The land he
developed encompasses what are now Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman
Oaks, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys. And speaking of Van Nuys, he's here too. Isaac Newton Van Nuys was Isaac Lankershim son-in-law and a fellow landowner. He is
the namesake of the city Van Nuys. Just a little further west on the left
is section J. If we head most of the way to the fence we find the grave of Louisa
Earp. She was the wife of Morgan Earp, of the OK Corral fame. Louisa was visiting
her parents in California when her husband, Morgan, was killed. She remained
in Southern California where she died at the age of 39. Continuing further west, crossing back
across the street north to section G, just in from the road is the grave of
Jesse Belvin. As a songwriter, Belvin co-wrote one of the biggest hits of the
50s, "Earth Angel," performed by The Penguins. The song's popularity resurged
in the 80s when it was used in Back to the Future. [music] He was also a talented singer
and performer in his own right, with hits like "Good Night My Love." His
life and career were cut short, however, just after a performance in Little Rock,
Arkansas. It was the very first concert in the history of that town played
before an integrated audience. The concert was interrupted several times by
audience members shouting racial epithets. Shortly after finishing the
performance, Belvin and his wife were killed in a head-on collision as they
drove through Hope, Arkansas. He was 27. Straight south back across the street to
section J, halfway in, we find a Gentleman of Blues, Phillip Walker. As a blues
guitarist he played with the likes of Little Richard and Etta James, and also
established himself with his own hits like "Hello My Darling" in 1959. Other hits
include "Someday You'll Have These Blues," in 1976. He died in 2010 at the age of 73. West of here a canal carves its way through
the cemetery. North of the canal, near the far western fence of section J, is the
grave of actor Everett Brown. He's best known for his role as Big Sam, the field
foreman, in Gone with the Wind. Other films include Congo Maisie, and Nagana. He was just 51 when he died. Finally we head northeast in this same section to
find the grave of Florence Barker. She was an actress of the silent era,
performing in some 71 films between 1908 and 1912, films like DW Griffith's
Choosing a Husband, alongside Mack Sennett in 1909. Her promising career was
cut far too short when she died of pneumonia at the age of 21. And that concludes our tour. What are some of your favorite memories of the stars we visited today? Share them in the comments below. and be sure to like, share, and
subscribe for more famous Grave tours. Thanks for watching! We'll see you on the
next one. Do you ever get the feeling like you're
being watched when you're in a cemetery? I do.
