Welcome to Hollywood Graveyard. Today I turn the camera over to you, the Hollywood
Graveyard community, as we travel the world to visit famous and historical graves in your
neck of the woods. In this tour we travel through the American
south, to find legends like Leslie Nielsen, Donna Douglas, Jackie Gleason, Little Richard,
and many more. My friends, the time is yours. Having wrapped up our explorations of the
American Midwest, we turn our compass now to the south, to visit the American South. On the itinerary today are Florida, Georgia,
South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Alright, off we go! We begin today about as far south as you can
go in the continental US, to the Sunshine State: Florida. This is Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale. Here we find a legend of comedy, Leslie Nielsen. The Canadian-born actor didn’t start out
in comedy. His career began in very early television,
on anthology dramas like Studio One, and science fiction like Tales of Tomorrow. His breakout film role was as Commander Adams
in the landmark 1956 film, Forbidden Planet. He had almost no comedy under his belt when
he was cast as Dr. Rumack in the 1980 comedy, Airplane! It would be a major turning point for Nielsen,
and something of a second career when, in his 50s, he became known as a deadpan comic. Nobody did absurdist comedy played perfectly
straight better than Leslie Nielsen. “Can you fly this plane and land it?” “Surely you can’t be serious.” “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley.” He followed up Airplane with Police Squad,
which would become the popular Naked Gun film series. He continued to make us laugh right up until
the end, passing away from pneumonia at age 84. But Leslie ensured the laughs wouldn’t die
with him, leaving us one last joke here on his grave. It’s quite common to see the letters RIP
on a grave marker… “Rest in Peace,” right? Well, usually. But Mr. Nielsen’s epitaph, “Let ‘er
rip,” means something entirely different. Throughout his later life he was known for
his love of a good fart joke. He even carried a little fart machine around
with him wherever he went, so he could let one rip whenever it was most comedically expedient. “It’s just a prop. We used in in Airplane, and had so much fun
with it, so I just carry it around with me…” So, Leslie Nielsen, who dedicated much of
his life to making us laugh, ensured his final act would do just that, with a good fart joke. Thanks for the laughs, Leslie. Also here at Evergreen is the tomb of Wayne
Huizenga. He was a businessman, known for founding entities
like AutoNation and Waste Management. In the 1980s, Huizenga became co-owner of
Blockbuster Video, and helped grow the company from just a handful of locations, to a multi-billion
dollar business with thousands of locations globally – the top movie rental business. He would use his wealth to bring sports teams
to south Florida: the Florida Marlins and the Florida Panthers. Huizenga died from cancer at age 80. This tranquil spot is found at Forest Lawn
Memorial Gardens in Fort Lauderdale. Here is the crypt of Rocky Marciano. He was a professional boxer in the 40s and
50s, who reigned as heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1956. He was the only heavyweight champion to retire
undefeated, with 49 wins, 0 losses. His career knockout-to-win ratio of 87.8%
remains one of the highest in boxing history. Today he ranks among the all-time greats. In August 1969 Rocky was a passenger aboard
a Cessna heading to Des Moines. The plane encountered adverse weather conditions,
and crashed, killing all aboard, including Rocky Marciano. He was 45. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery provides
a beautiful lakeside backdrop for the grave of one of television’s biggest legends,
Jackie Gleason. Known affectionately as “The Great One,”
Jackie Gleason was a multi-talented actor, writer, comedian, and musician, whose career
on film, television, stage, and radio spanned half a century. Ascending the stairs of his sarcophagus we
pass by an inscription of one of his catch phrases… “And away we go!” He shot to fame on television in the early
1950s with The Jackie Gleason Show. This would spawn the show, The Honeymooners,
in which Gleason played his best-known character, the blustery, short-tempered bus driver, Ralph
Kramden. The Honeymooners would set the stage for many
sitcoms to come, including an animated one: The Flintstones. Jackie also had notable film roles, including
an Oscar nominated role in The Hustler, and as Buford T. Justice in Smokey and the Bandit. And in the 50s and 60s, he produced a number
of best-selling albums. Jackie Gleason died from cancer at age 71. Hopping over to the western coast of Florida,
in Sarasota, brings us to the opulent seaside villa known as Ca d’Zan, former home of
a circus impresario. This historic landmark is now a museum, that
hosts not only the treasures of the man’s legacy, but the treasures of the man himself:
John Ringling. In the 1870s John and his brothers began putting
on Vaudeville-style shows in Wisconsin. Within a few years they would be able to open
their own circus, dubbed “The Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus,
Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals.” Whew, that’s quite a mouthful. By the turn of the century, they were traveling
on railroads as one of the largest shows in the country, and would buy out their major
competitor, Barnum and Bailey Circus, in 1907. By the end of 1918 the two circuses merged
into one massive show: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which operated until
2017. John and his wife Mable made their home here. Mable was an art collector who, with her husband,
created the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, on the grounds of which they are buried. John was the longest living of the Ringling
brothers, dying from pneumonia at age 70. Mable was just 54 when she died from Addison’s
Disease and diabetes. They were originally entombed in temporary
vaults in New Jersey until family disputes could be resolved. In 1991, 55 years after John’s death, they
were exhumed and finally interred here on the grounds of the museum. Heading over to nearby Manasota Memorial Park
we find another of the Ringling Bros, Charles Ringling. Charles would become the operating manager
in charge of production for the Ringling Bros. Circus. Charles was also one of the early developers
of the Sarasota area. He died shortly after turning 63. He had this mausoleum built with marble to
resemble his house. Continuing our adventures under the big top,
here too we find Aerialists Supreme, The Flying Wallendas. They were a family of daredevil circus performers,
known for performing highwire acts, often without safety nets. Among the Wallenda performers resting here
are Jenny, Carla, Mario, Martha, Helen, and patriarch Karl Wallenda. Karl formed The Great Wallendas in Europe
in the early 1900s, and soon found his way to the states after being hired by John Ringling. They were particularly famous for their 7-person
high-wire pyramid. While performing this stunt in 1962, the pyramid
collapsed, killing two members, and leaving Karl’s son, Mario, paralyzed. Karl himself would meet a similar fate years
later. In 1978, at age 73, Karl attempted to walk
between two ten-story towers in Puerto Rico on a high wire, without a safety net. High winds kicked in as he attempted the cross,
and he lost his balance and fell to his death. Our next Florida stop is Trinity Memorial
Gardens. Here we find a legend of baseball, George
Steinbrenner. He was owner and managing partner of the New
York Yankees from 1973 until his death in 2010. He was the longest-serving owner in club history,
and the Yankees won seven World Series championships and 11 American League pennants under his
ownership. Steinbrenner’s personality and managing
style were famously caricatured on the popular sitcom, Seinfeld. George Steinbrenner died from a heart attack
in 2010 at age 80. Crossing back over to the east, we reach Daytona
Memorial Park. Here rests baseball star Napoleon Lajoie,
aka Larry Lajoie, aka The Frenchman. He was a professional baseball player in the
early 20th century, playing in Cleveland and Philadelphia. He’s been called the best second baseman
in the history of baseball, and led the league in batting average many times in his career. So popular was he one of the teams he played
for changed their names from the Cleveland Broncos to the Cleveland Napoleons. Nap was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1937, and lived to be 84. This is Rosemary Cemetery in Bronson. It’s hard to miss the iconic marker to an
icon of blues and rock & roll, Bo Diddley. With his signature rectangle guitar, Bo Diddley
was a pioneering guitarist, singer, and songwriter in the 1950s. His style and signature beats would be influential
in the development of rock and roll in that era, and inspire future artists like The Rolling
Stones and Buddy Holly. This led to him being known as “The Originator.” One of his best-known songs is alluded to
right here on his marker. Bo would be inducted into the Rock and Roll,
Blues, and R&B Halls of Fame. He died from heart failure at age 79, his
last words being that he was going to heaven. Proceeding north we reach Middleburg Methodist
Church Cemetery. Here lies Slim Whitman. He was a country music artist, known for his
yodeling and singing in high falsetto. He was prolific in his musical output, releasing
over 100 albums and some 500 recorded songs. In the 1950s he toured with Elvis as his opening
act. He would also be a major influence on artists
like The Beatles. Slim’s music would be introduced to a new
generation in 1996 when his song “Indian Love Call” became the means of defeating
the aliens in the film Mars Attacks! Slim Whitman died from heart failure at age
90. Continuing our exploration of Florida’s
music legacy, we’ve arrived in Jacksonville, and Jacksonville Memorial Gardens. Here we find monuments to the legendary but
tragic Lynyrd Skynyrd. Steve Gaines joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976
to replace departing guitarist Ed King. He’d perform guitar and vocals on two of
the band’s albums, One More for the Road, and Street Survivors. But just days after the release of Street
Survivors, on October 20, 1977, Steve was aboard a plane with other band members, when
it crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. The crash claimed his life at age 28, along
with other band members, including lead vocalist, Ronnie van Zant. Also abord the plane was Steve’s sister,
Cassie, who was not only a backup vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but had recommended her
brother Steve join the band. Cassie was 29. You’ll also find here the original burial
site of Ronnie van Zant. But in 2000, vandals broke in and disturbed
the graves here, so Steve’s ashes were removed by the family to a private location, and Ronnie’s
remains were re-located a few miles away. To find Ronnie’s current resting place,
we head a few miles to Riverside Memorial Park. Ronnie van Zant was the lead vocalist, primary
lyricist, and founding member of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, which formed in
the late 1960s. That’s Ronnie you hear singing on their
iconic track, “Sweet Home Alabama.” In 1977 Ronnie was aboard the same flight
as Steve Gaines, en route to Baton Rouge for their next show, when due to pilot error,
the plane ran out of gas. The pilot attempted an emergency landing,
but smashed into a tree, killing several on board, wounding others. Ronnie died on impact, at age 29. As mentioned, he was originally interred at
Jacksonville Memory Gardens. But in June 2000, van Zant’s unopened casket
and Gaines’s urn and ashes were discovered on the grounds of the cemetery, having been
dug up. So his family had him relocated here, secured
in a concrete vault. Another member of the band rests just feet
away, Leon Wilkeson. He played bass for Lynyrd Skynyrd beginning
in 1972, until his death in 2001. Leon was aboard the plane that claimed his
bandmates lives, sitting right next to Steve. He was severely injured, but survived. His injuries required him to then hold his
bass at a near vertical orientation, as seen here on his grave. Leon was just 49 when he died in his sleep,
suffering from chronic liver and lung disease. His epitaph is an allusion to their song,
“Free Bird.” Another southern rock icon is in these grounds,
Dave Hlubek. He was lead guitarist and founding member
of the band, Molly Hatchet, which formed in the early 70s. Among their biggest hits is 1980’s “Flirtin’
with Disaster.” Dave left the band in 1987, but would re-join
in 2005, performing until his death at age 66. Where am I off to next, Gladys Knight and
the Pips? “He’s leaving on that midnight train to
Georgia, leavin’ on a midnight train…” That midnight train has pulled into the station
here in Georgia. Our first stop here is Rose Hill Cemetery
in Macon, where we continue our reveries of southern rock through the graveyards of the
southland. In this gated area we find members of the
Allman Brothers Band. Duane Allman formed the Allman Brothers Band
in 1969 with brother Gregg. The band achieved great success in the early
70s. Duane was particularly remembered for his
slide guitar playing and improvisational skills. But Duane’s tenure with the band would be
brief. On October 29, 1971, Duane died from injuries
sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 24. Close to Duane is his brother, Gregg Allman,
co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band. He played guitar, keyboards, sang, and was
the principal songwriter for the band. He wrote many of their hits, like “Whipping
Post,” and “Midnight Rider.” Greg would rank among the great rock pioneers
and vocalists, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He died from liver cancer at age 69. Nearby is Butch Trucks. He was the drummer of the Allman Brothers
Band, beginning with their formation in 1969. Through the band’s various incarnations,
Butch Trucks was one of the constants over the band’s decades-long career. Trucks died from a self-inflicted gunshot
wound in 2017 at age 69. At the other end of this garden section is
another founding member, Berry Oakley. He played bass in the band, and in his short
career would be ranked among the great bass players in rock, known for long melodic bass
runs. But in a tragic parallel to his former bandmate
Duane, Berry Oakley died from injuries of a motorcycle accident, just blocks from where
Duane had died one year before. He too was 24. Moving on now to Tennessee Georgia Memorial
Park in Rossville, we find a wrestler named Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy. He was one of the original Fabulous Freebirds,
a popular wresting team in the 80s. Among the many championships held by Gordy
are the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, and the WCW World Tag Team Championship. He was just 40 when he died from a heart attack. Terry Gordy would be posthumously inducted
into the Professional Wrestling and WWE Halls of Fame. This scenic view comes to us from Laurel Grove
Cemetery in Savannah, GA. Here lies the woman who brought us the Girl
Scouts, Juliette Low. While living in the UK she met Robert Baden-Powell,
and was introduced to his Boy Scouts program. She became involved in the Girl Guides in
Scotland, before returning to Georgia to spread the girl scouting movement here. In 1912 she formed the Girl Guides, to help
girls learn practical skills and build character. In 1913 the organization’s name was changed
to Girl Scouts. Juliette died from cancer at age 66. She was buried in her Girl Scouts uniform,
and hundreds of girl scouts left school early to attend her funeral. Here in the grounds of Saint James Episcopal
Cemetery rests a tragic figure of the beauty pageant world, JonBenet Ramsey. By the tender age of 6, JonBenet had won a
handful of child beauty pageants, like Little Miss Colorado, and National Tiny Miss Beauty. But the unthinkable would happen Christmas
day in 1996. The morning after Christmas JonBenet was missing,
and a ransom note was discovered, claiming to have her, and demanding $118,000 for her
return. The police were called, but hours later, her
body was discovered in the basement by her father. She had been strangled and suffered a blow
to the head. Before the crime scene could be documented,
Mr. Ramsey removed her body. This and other missteps early in the investigation
led to difficulties in solving the case… a case which quickly garnered national attention,
becoming one of the most high-profile child homicides in recent history. All members of the Ramsey family have been
cleared by the DA, but to date no one has been charged in JonBenet’s murder, and the
case remains unsolved. Our last Georgia stop is Waco Baptist Church
Cemetery, where we find the grave of Evelyn Keyes. One of the greatest films associated with
Georgia is 1939’s Gone with the Wind. Evelyn had a role in that film, playing Suellen
O’Hara, Scarlett’s sister. Other memorable film roles include as Bette
in Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Susan in The Prowler, and Helen in The Seven Year Itch. She semi-retired in 1956, but made a few more
appearances, mainly on television, including a few appearances on Murder, She Wrote. Evelyn died from cancer at age 91. She was cremated, a portion of her ashes not
gone with the wind were interred here. Hopping the border northeast, we’ve arrived
now in South Carolina. Let’s begin our time here at Union Family
Life Center Cemetery in Lugoff. We’ve left Georgia behind, but our next
star sang of “Rainy Nights in Georgia.” Brook Benton was a singer and songwriter who
found popularity in the 50s and 60s with Rock and Roll and R&B music. He found his second wind in 1970 with the
ballad, “Rainy Nights in Georgia.” Throughout his career he had over 50 songs
hit the Billboard charts. Benton died from spinal meningitis and pneumonia
at age 56. This is Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia. Here is the fabulous monument to the Fabulous
Moolah, a pioneer of women’s wrestling. Born Mary Lillian Ellison, she began her wrestling
career in the 40s. In 1956 she won the Women’s Championship
of the World, a title she would go on to hold for the next 28 years. This would make her the longest reigning title
holder in women’s wrestling. In 1995 she’d become the first woman inducted
into the WWF Hall of Fame. The Fabulous Moolah died at age 84, and remains
the most dominant figure in the history of female wrestling. Next to Moolah is fellow wrestler and friend,
Mae Young. Like Moolah, Mae Young was one of the earliest
superstars of women’s wrestling. Mae began wrestling in the 30s, and never
slowed down, wrestling into the 2010s when she was in her 80s, giving her the unique
distinction of having wrestled in nine different decades. She was known for her comedic performances,
often teaming up with her friend The Fabulous Moolah on WWE televised events. Mae lived to be 90, and was inducted into
various Halls of Fame, including the WWE Hall of Fame. Moving on now to Woodlawn Memorial Park in
Greenville, we find the legendary Shoeless Joe Jackson. He was an outfielder who played baseball in
the major leagues in the early 1900s. His nickname came from a game in South Carolina
when a new pair of cleats gave him painful blisters, so he went up to bat without any
shoes on. At the height of his career, he was one of
the most popular and talented players in the game. His batting average for a rookie season is
a record that still stands over a century later. But his career was abruptly halted in his
prime, due to his association with the Black Sox Scandal, in which the 1919 Chicago White
Sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the World Series. Jackson’s guilt and involvement in the scandal
have been widely debated over the years, but in the end it led to him being banned from
playing professional baseball. He would spend the rest of his career playing,
often under assumed names, for semi-professional teams in the south. Shoeless Joe died from a heart attack in 1951. He’s been portrayed in films like Field
of Dreams, and Eight Men Out. Our next star is a man who literally reached
for the stars. Dr. Ronald E. McNair Memorial Park is in Lake
City, and is the eternal home of its namesake, Ronald McNair. He was a physicist and astronaut, the second
black man to fly in space. He flew his first mission aboard Challenger
in 1984. Two years later he would be aboard Challenger
once again. Tragically, Challenger exploded 73 seconds
after takeoff, killing all 7 crew members, including McNair. He was 35. McNair was initially interred at Rose Lawn
Cemetery here in Lake View, but in 2004 moved to this Memorial Park, created in his honor. The history center here on the grounds has
unique significance in the life of McNair. As a youngster here in Lake City, the inquisitive
Ronald tried to check out science books from the local library, which was segregated at
the time. Told no black people were allowed, he was
denied access to the books, but refused to leave. Police and his mother were called, but he
was eventually allowed to check out the books. Decades later, the building where this library
was housed now bears his name. This story was made into a children’s book,
“Ron’s Big Mission.” Our last South Carolina stop brings us to
St. Luke’s AME Church Cemetery in Sumter. This is where Bill Pinkney is laid to rest. He was a singer, the longest surviving original
member of the band, The Drifters, which rose to popularity in the 50s and 60s. Bill was with the group in the 50s, and helped
craft their early sound. Among the early Drifters hits Bill performed
on is 1953’s “Money Honey.” The group also did a popular rendition of
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Bill Pinkney left the group in 1958, but later
reformed it as the Original Drifters. He continued to perform throughout his life
to keep the sound of the Drifters alive, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in 1988. Bill died from a heart attack at age 81. Let’s visit our friends to the north, in
North Carolina. Black Bottom Cemetery is in Belhaven. Here lies Little Eva. She was a singer who rose to popularity in
the 1960s. As a teenager she was working as a maid for
songwriting duo Carole King and Gerry Goffin. In 1962 they asked Eva to sing and record
one of the songs they had written. The song was “Loco-Motion,” which became
a huge hit. Eva had other hits in this era, including
“Keep Your Hands off My Baby,” and “Let’s Turkey Trot.” Her career dwindled by the 70s and she retired
from performing, until a Kylie Minogue cover of “Loco-Motion” renewed interest in her,
and she took up singing again on the cabaret and oldies circuit. Eva died from cancer at age 59, and is now
singing with the angels. William Greer’s grave is found at Green
Hill Cemetery in Waynesville. He was a U.S. Secret Service agent, best known
for being the driver of the limousine that carried President Kennedy through Dallas Texas,
when he was assassinated in 1963. After shots rang out in Dealey Plaza and Kennedy
was hit, Greer sped the president to nearby Parkland Hospital, where he later died. Greer died from cancer at age 75. Our next North Carolina stop is in Charlotte,
and Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Here lie a famous pair of Siamese twins, Daisy
and Violet Hilton. They were born in England in 1908, conjoined
at the hip. From a young age they were exhibited in pubs
as The Brighton United Twins. Soon they’d be travelling the world, performing,
eventually landing in the US where they’d add dancing and music to their performing
repertoire. But the twins were essentially held captive
by their managers, so they sued for and won emancipation. Taking control of their own careers as performers,
the twins found success on the Vaudeville and burlesque stages as The Hilton Sisters
Revue. They would also appear in two films: 1932’s
Freaks, and Chained for Life in 1952. After performing opportunities dwindled, Daisy
and Violet worked the rest of their lives at a local grocery store. In January 1969, after they failed to report
to work, a welfare check was requested, and the twins were found dead in their home, victims
of the 1968 flu pandemic. Daisy died first, and Violet died two to four
days later. This is Westview Memorial Park, where rests
a wrestler known as Junkyard Dog. He was born Sylvester Ritter, and in the 1980s
would become one of Mid-South’s and the WWF’s most charismatic and electrifying
wrestlers. His headlining cards would draw huge crowds,
and though he never won a WWF title, he was a fan favorite. Junkyard Dog died in a single-car accident
in Mississippi at just 45. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE
Hall of Fame. We’re in Waynesville now, and Green Hill
Cemetery. This grave reads Byron Barr, but you cinephiles
know him as Gig Young, a stage name he adopted from the character he played in 1942’s The
Gay Sisters. Gig found considerable success as an actor
in the 40s through the 60s. He was thrice nominated for an Oscar, winning
in 1970 for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? He would also make frequent appearances on
television, including on the iconic Twilight Zone episode, “Walking Distance,” and
a regular role as Tony Fleming on The Rogues. Gig’s worsening alcoholism cost him roles,
losing out on films like Blazing Saddles and shows like Charlie’s Angels. On October 19, 1978, three weeks after his
marriage to this fifth wife, the couple were found dead in their Manhattan apartment. Gig had shot and killed his wife, then shot
himself. He was 64, and no motive has ever been discovered
for the murder-suicide. Moving on to Forest Lawn East Cemetery in
Weddington, in the Columbarium of Compassion, we find the niche of actress Lisa Robin Kelly. She was a familiar face on television in the
90, with a regular role on Days of Our Lives as Jill, and making appearances in shows like
The X-Files, and Married… with Children. But her best-known role is that of Laurie
Forman, in some 50 episodes of the popular comedy, That 70’s Show. Substance abuse began to take their toll on
her life and career. Days after checking into a rehab facility
in California, Lisa died in her sleep from multiple drug intoxication. She was 43. Our last North Carolina stop is Wake Forest
Cemetery, and the grave of Tommy Byrne. He was a major league baseball player in the
1940s and 50s, playing much of his career for the New York Yankees. He was a left-handed pitcher who would win
two World Series with the Yankees, in 1949 and 1956. After baseball, Byrne would become mayor of
Wake Forest. He lived to be 87. Pardon me, boys. Yes. Is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? That is the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which means
we’ve arrived in Tennessee. Let’s begin our time here in Chattanooga,
and Forest Hill Cemetery. This is the grave of Grace Moore. The actress and singer got her start in musical
theater on Broadway, but soon moved into the Opera, becoming well-known as an operatic
soprano. Grace would become known as the “Tennessee Nightingale.” At the advent of sound pictures, Hollywood
would bring her talents to the screen, playing Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, in A
Lady’s Morals. Among her best-known films are When You’re
in Love, and One Night of Love, for which Grace was nominated for an Academy Award. Marking yet another tragic death in an aviation
accident in this series, Grace Moore died in a plane crash near Copenhagen Denmark in
1947. Here too is a baseball player named Jackie
Mitchell. She was one of the very first women signed
to play professional baseball. She signed as a pitcher with the Chattanooga
Lookouts in 1931. That April, she pitched in an exhibition game
against the New York Yankees. In that game, she famously struck out both
Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession. The legend of the woman who struck out two
of baseball’s greatest hitters lives on to this day. We’re in Clarksville now, and Greenwood
Cemetery. This is the grave of Charles Watts. He was a prolific supporting actor in the
50s and 60s. He played Judge Whiteside in Giant, and Ned
in An Affair to Remember. And you saw him quite a few times on TV shows
like Dennis the Menace, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Watts died from cancer at age 54. In section 12, near the road, we find the
grave of Frank Sutton. He was an actor, who’s best-known role is
that of Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter on some 150 episodes of the 60s comedy, Gomer Pyle,
USMC. He appeared in many of the other great shows
of the era, like The Untouchables, and Love, American Style. And on the big screen he can be seen in films
like Marty, and The Satan Bug. Frank died of a heart attack at just 50. Woodall Cemetery is also here in Clarksville. This is where Mel Tillis is laid to rest. He was a country music singer and songwriter,
finding his greatest success in the 70s as part of the outlaw country movement. He had a number of top 10 hits, like “I
Ain’t Never,” and “Good Woman Blues.” Among Mel’s many honors are induction into
the Country Music and Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame, and being named Entertainer
of the Year by the Country Music Association. Not only would his songs appear in numerous
film and TV productions, Mel himself would also appear, in films like Smokey and the
Bandit II, and The Cannonball Run. Mel died from respiratory failure at age 85. This is Edgefield Missionary Baptist Church
Cemetery. An Olympic legend rests in these grounds,
Wilma Rudolph. She was a track and field athlete who competed
in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic games. She won bronze with the 4x100 team in 1956,
and at the 1960 games Wilma won 3 golds: in the 100, 200, and 4x100. She gained world-wide fame as the fastest
woman in the world, and was the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single
Olympic games. She became a role model for young black athletes,
and helped elevate women’s track and field nationwide. Wilma was just 54 when she died from cancer. She would be inducted into numerous halls
of fame, including the US Olympic Hall of Fame, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. This quiet cemetery in rural Tennessee is
Mt Carmel Cemetery. Resting here is a giant of women’s basketball,
Pat Summitt. She coached the University of Tennessee Lady
Vols basketball team from 1974 to 2012, accruing over 1000 wins over her career, the most in
college basketball history. The team would win 8 national championships
under her leadership. As a player Pat won a silver medal at the
1976 Olympics, and then would coach the gold-medal winning team at the 1984 Olympics. She was named the Naismith Basketball Coach
of the Century in 2000, and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. Pat suffered from Alzheimer’s later in life,
passing away at age 64. Another quiet rural cemetery in our travels
through Tennessee is Cave Creek. In these grounds is an intriguing figure in
local folklore, Felix “Bush” Breazeale. His claim to fame is inscribed right here
on his tombstone. In his latter years, Uncle Bush, as he was
known, figured it was a shame that none of us will never know what is said about us at
our funeral. So on that note, he decided to throw is own
preemptive funeral. He felled a big black walnut tree, constructed
his own coffin out of it, and put plans in motion to put on a funeral party while he
was still alive so he could enjoy it. The plans were reported in a local newspaper,
which was picked up by the Associated Press. Through the media buzz generated, it’s estimated
that some eight to twelve thousand people attended the funeral, from some 14 states. At the service, Bush was seated in front of
the coffin, while hymns were sung, and the Pastor gave a sermon for the living corpse. He called the sermon the finest he had ever
heard, and his was believed to be the largest funeral held in Tennessee at that time. The story would naturally inspire a film,
Get Low, starring Robert Duvall as Felix. We’ve arrived in Nashville, “Music City.” We found quite a few country music stars here
in our first Viewers Special, but there’s always more to find, like Keith Whitley, here
at Spring Hill Cemetery. The country music singer and songwriter only
recorded two albums, but charted numerous hit singles in the 80s, like “Don’t Close
Your Eyes,” and “When You Say Nothing at All.” Keith was just 34 when he died from acute
alcohol poisoning. Also here at Spring Hill we find a wife and
husband famous in the country music scene: Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright. Kitty Wells was a pioneering woman in country
music, having broken down barriers with her 1952 hit recording “It Wasn’t God Who
Made Honky Tonk Angels.” The song would top the charts, a first for
a female singer, making Kitty Wells country’s first female superstar. Her chart-topping hits continued into the
60s, and she would rank among the top vocalists and most successful female artists in country
history. In 1976 Kitty Wells was inducted into the
Country Music Hall of Fame. The Queen of Country Music died after a stroke
at age 92. Kitty was married to Johnnie Wright, also
a country musician. He spent much of his career working with Jack
Anglin as the duo, Johnnie & Jack. Among Johnnie’s hits are the song “Hello
Vietnam,” used in the opening of the movie Full Metal Jacket. He and Kitty also recorded a duet, “We’ll
Stick Together.” Johnnie died of natural causes at age 97,
just 10 months before his wife of 73 years passed. We’re back at Hendersonville Memory Gardens,
where rest legends like Johnny Cash and June Carter who we visited previously. Here too we find the grave of Merle Kilgore. He’s remembered as a songwriter in the country
music scene. In fact, with June Carter, Merle co-wrote
“Ring of Fire” for Johnny Cash. Other hits he wrote include “Wolverton Mountain,”
and “The Folk Singer.” Later in life he would be Hank Williams Jr’s
manager. He died from heart failure while undergoing
treatment for lung cancer at the age of 70. Let’s head to the Sermon on the Mount section
to find another country music star, Ferlin Husky. The versatile country music singer and songwriter
found success in the 60’s and 70s. His epitaph, “Gone home on the wings of
a dove” is a clever aggregate of two of his biggest hits: “Gone,” and “Wings
of a Dove.” He’d also make appearances in films like
Swamp Girl, and Hillbillys in a Haunted House. In his induction into the Country Music Hall
of Fame he was heralded as one of the best entertainers country music ever produced. He died of congestive heart failure at age
85. Gallatin is just northeast of Nashville. This is Sumner Memorial Gardens, where we
find the crypt of Conway Twitty, whose real name was Harold Jenkins. He was a musician who found his biggest success
in the 1970s country music scene. His hits include “You’ve Never Been This
Far Before,” and “Hello Darlin’”. He topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs
chart some 40 times in his career. Before being a country music star, Twitty
had actually found success in rock and roll, and rockabilly, sometimes being compared to
Elvis. And in the 2000s Twitty was introduced to
a new generation when he was featured on Family Guy. Conway Twitty died from an abdominal aortic
aneurysm at the age of 59. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall
of Fame in 1999. In part 5 of our Viewers Special we visited
Graceland and the grave of Elvis Presley. Since that time the family suffered a tragic
loss: Elvis’s grandson, Benjamin, the son of Lisa Marie Presley. His mother would describe his resemblance
to his famous grandfather, Elvis, as “just uncanny.” By his teens, Benjamin showed inklings of
following in his grandfather’s footsteps. He was offered a record deal with Universal,
but no music was ever produced. Ben struggled with substance abuse and depression,
taking his own life in 2020 at just 27. We find ourselves now at Memorial Park Cemetery
in Memphis. Before finding famous graves in these grounds,
let’s visit one of the ground’s most striking and unique features, the Crystal Grotto. Back out to the grounds, not far from the
Crystal Grotto is the grave of Isaac Hayes. He was a singer and songwriter, a driving
force in southern soul. He wrote scores of songs for himself, and
other artists, like Sam & Dave. One of his songs, “Soul Man,” is recognized
as one of the most influential songs of the past 50 years. Hayes also wrote music for movies, most notably
Shaft, which won him an Oscar. “Who’s the black private dick that’s
a sex machine to all the chicks?” “Shaft!” “Damn right.” Isaac was also an actor, playing The Duke
in Escape from New York, and Asneeze in Robin Hood: Men in Tights. And you heard that distinctive resonant voice
as Chef on South Park. “Hello there, children.” “Hey Chef.” Hayes died after suffering a stroke at age
65. Here too we find the grave of Charlie Rich. He was a country music artist, known for incorporating
a variety of genres into his music. He’s perhaps best remembered for a pair
of hits in the 1970s, “Behind Closed Doors,” and “The Most Beautiful Girl.” He received numerous accolades, including
being named Male Vocalist of the Year in 1973 by the Country Music Association. Charlie died in his sleep from a pulmonary
embolism at the age of 62. Next up is the grave of a musician named Jimmy
Griffin. He was a singer and songwriter, known for
his work with the 70s soft rock band, Bread. In 1971 he won an Oscar for co-writing the
song “For All We Know” for the movie Lovers and Other Strangers. Jimmy Griffin continued to perform with and
write songs for various groups throughout his life, passing away from cancer at age
61. Another musician resting here is Marshall
Grant. He’s remembered as the bass player for Jonny
Cash’s backing band, the Tennessee Two. That was Marshall you heard playing bass in
hits like “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Johnny and Marshall would play together for
some decades, becoming dear friends. He lived to be 83, and was portrayed by Larry
Bagby in the film, Walk the Line. Let’s make our way to the southwest section
of the cemetery, to find the grave of Red West. He went from being a bodyguard and confidant
to Elvis Presley, to Hollywood where he’d find his place as a stuntman and actor. He began doing stunts for movies like Spartacus,
and shows like The Wild Wild West, in which he would also make several appearances as
thugs or henchmen. This gradually led to more prominent roles,
including as Sgt. Micklin in Black Sheep Squadron, and perhaps
his best-known role, as Red in Road House. “That’s a wrap” is what is said when
filming is completed… written here too when life is completed, which
for Red West came after an aortic aneurysm at age 81. And that’s a wrap for Tennessee, let’s
visit the state that tops them all in alphabetical order, Alabama. This is Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, where
rests Eddie Kendricks. He was a singer and songwriter, known for
his distinctive falsetto singing style. He was one of the founding members of the
Motown group The Temptations in the 1960s, and would sing lead one some of their biggest
hits, including “Get Ready.” As a solo artist Kendricks had a hit in the
song “Keep on Truckin’.” He was just 52 when he died from lung cancer. Also here is an actress named Anna Lee Carroll…
also known as Boots Carroll. She was well-known as a theater performer
here in Alabama, and also make her mark in Hollywood. Her best-known role is as Nurse Bradford in
the 1968 film, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. She also made appearances on shows like Perry
Mason. Boots lived to be 86. A trumpet marks the grave of a musician here
by the name of Erskine Hawkins. He was a trumpet player and bandleader of
the big band era, dubbed the 20th Century Gabriel. He’s remembered for co-composing the jazz
standard “Tuxedo Junction,” which would become a hit during WWII. Hawkins lived to be 79, and was inducted into
the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. One more Elmwood stop. Here is the grave of Paul “Bear” Bryant,
considered by many as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. He was head coach of the University of Alabama
football team, racking up 6 national championships and 13 conference championships during his
tenure. He was inducted into the College Football
Hall of Fame in 1986, and the University of Alabama stadium is named in his honor. In late 1982, Bryant retired from coaching. When asked what he would do next, he said
“Probably croak in a week.” He wasn’t far off. Four weeks later he died after suffering a
heart attack, at the age of 69. This is Mobile Memorial Gardens. Here we find the grave of Jean Byron. She was an actress, best remembered for playing
Natalie Lane, Patty Duke’s mother on The Patty Duke Show in the 1960s. She also had a recurring role in The Many
Loves of Dobie Gillis. On film she’d be known for roles in B-movies
like Invisible Invaders. Jean died from complications of hip replacement
surgery at age 80. Cedar Hill Cemetery is in Scottsboro. This is where Lucille Benson is laid to rest. The plump, quirky actress with a heavy southern
accent was one of the distinctive character actresses of the 70s and 80s. Among her memorable roles are as Gas Mama
in 1941, and Mrs. Elrod in Halloween II. She also played Lilly Sinclair in the TV sitcom,
Bosom Buddies. Lucille died from liver cancer at age 69. Our next famous grave is a unique one in the
annals of Hollywood Graveyard. We find ourselves not in a graveyard, but
at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville. This is the grave of Miss Baker. If asked on your fifth-grade history test
who the first person the US successfully launched into space was, you’d likely answer Alan
Shepard, and you’d be right… sort of. If we’re counting other species, then the
honor goes to one Miss Baker, a squirrel monkey. The intelligent and affectionate monkey boarded
a Jupiter rocket on May 28, 1959, and for 16 minutes voyaged where no man, woman, or
monkey ever had before… 300 miles above the surface of the earth. After returning safely from space, Miss Baker
and her co-monkeynaut, Able, became national celebrities, gracing the cover of magazines. In 1971 Miss Baker moved to the space center
here, where she entertained museum visitors and school children, and lived out her days
like royalty. She died from kidney failure at age 27, and
was buried here on the grounds of the museum. Back to the graveyards, our next Alabama stop
is Oakwood Memorial Gardens in Huntsville. This is where the legendary Little Richard
is laid to rest. He was a singer and songwriter, one of the
most dynamic and flamboyant performers in the early days of rock and roll, soul, and
funk. His frenetic piano playing and raspy shouted
vocals laid the foundations for rock and roll, and would influence artists for generations
to come. He had a smash hit in the 1955 song, “Tutti
Frutti.” Other hits include “Long Tall Sally,”
and “Good Golly, Miss Molly.” Little Richard’s style and success would make him one of the
first crossover black artists, reaching audiences of all backgrounds. In 1986 he would be inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame with the inaugural group. Little Richard, the architect of rock and
roll, passed away from bone cancer at age 87. Our last Alabama stop of the day is in Jasper,
and Oak Hill Cemetery. Here is the tomb of George Lindsey. He was an actor and comedian best known for
his role as Goober Pyle, cousin of Gomer Pyle, in The Andy Griffith Show, and the spinoff,
Mayberry RFD. He would later play Goober again on Hee-Haw. And if you can believe it, George Lindsey
was actually Gene Rodenberry’s first choice to play Spock, but he turned it town. Lindsey also lent his voice to a number of
Disney animations, including as Trigger in Robin Hood, and Lafayette in The Aristocats. George Lindsey died from heart failure at
age 83. Hello to our friends in Mississippi. Not far from the Alabama border is Leakesville,
and Magnolia Cemetery. This is the grave of Bill Hicks, a comedian
whose style was steeped in dark comedy, and touched on a wide range of social issues. He toured extensively, and built his most
significant fan base in the UK. Bill was a frequent guest on talk shows like
David Letterman, and appeared on HBO’s One Night Stand. He brought a sense of rock & roll to comedy,
and today ranks among the stand-up comedy greats. His life and career were cut short by pancreatic
cancer at just 32. Further west in Columbia, is Rest Haven. Here we find football legend, Walter Payton. He’s considered one of the greatest football
players to ever play the game, in a career that spanned thirteen seasons with the Chicago
Bears. He was a running back, and at one time held
records for rushing yards, touchdowns, and many more. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selectee, and
a Super Bowl champion with the Bears. In 1993 Walter Payton was inducted into the
Pro Football Hall of Fame. And the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award,
the NFL’s honor for a player’s volunteer and charity work, is named in his honor. Walter Payton died in 1999 from a rare liver
disease at the age of 45. He was interred here with his parents. Let’s find another football star here in
Mississippi. Griffith Cemetery in Prentiss is where Steve
“Air” McNair is laid to rest. He was a quarterback in the NFL, playing for
the Oilers, Titans, and Ravens between 1995 and 2007. He would lead his team to a Super Bowl in
2000. Air McNair was a three-time Pro Bowl player,
and an MVP in 2003. A year after his retirement, McNair was shot
and killed by his girlfriend, who then turned the gun on herself in a murder-suicide. He was 36. This is the grave of Eudora Welty, at Greenwood
Cemetery in Jackson. She was an author, who wrote about the American
south. Her 1972 novel, The Optimist’s Daughter,
won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1973. Her grave features a quote from The Optimist’s
Daughter. She won numerous honors throughout her life,
including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Eudora lived to be 92. Moving on now to Arkansas. We begin at the Campbell family cemetery in
Billstown, where we find the grave of one of Arkansas’ favorite sons: Glen Campbell. He was a musician and actor who rose to popularity
in the 60s and 70s. Campbell had a series of hit songs in this era, including “Rinestone
Cowboy,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Southern Nights.” Glen Campbell was also a familiar face on
TV, appearing prolifically on all the various variety and talk shows, and even hosted his
own show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. He also dabbled in acting, including playing
“La Beouf” in the original True Grit. Decades later he would co-write the song “I’m
Not Gonna Miss You” for a documentary about his life. The song was nominated for an Academy Award
in 2015. It focused on Campbell’s diagnosis with
Alzheimer’s, and his final tour. He died from the disease at age 81. Oak Ridge Cemetery is in Malvern. Here is the grave of Julie Adams. She was an actress, best remembered today
for playing Kay Lawrence in the classic monster movie, Creature from the Black Lagoon. Other films include Bend of the River alongside
Jimmy Stewart. On television she had a regular role as Eve
on Murder, She Wrote, Paula on the soap opera Capitol, and Martha on The Jimmy Stewart Show. Julie Adams lived to be 92. Moving on to Cedar Grove Cemetery in Floral,
where we find today’s installment of Hollywood Graveyard animals: cows. Let’s head into this quiet cemetery to find
the grave of Lisa Blount. As an actress she would receive a Golden Globe
nomination for her role as Lynette in An Officer and a Gentleman. She can also be seen in the cult horror film,
Prince of Darkness. Lisa was also a producer, winning an Academy
Award for co-producing the short film, The Accountant, with her husband Robert McKinnon. In October 2010, Lisa was found dead in her
home from what was believed to have been the results of a blood disorder. She was 53. Next up is Oakland Cemetery in Clarksville. Here is the crypt of Daffy Dean. He was a pitcher in the major leagues, playing
much of his career in St. Louis. During his rookie season he pitched a no-hitter
against the Dodgers. Daffy played alongside his brother, Dizzy,
and together they’d win a World Series in 1934. Daffy died from a heart attack at age 67. Also here at Oakland is another man who lived
to make us laugh, Ralphie May. He was a stand-up comedian, who appeared on
the first season of the reality show, Last Comic Standing. He would finish in second place. Ralphie May would go on to appear on shows
like The Tonight Show, and later recorded a number of Comedy Central Specials, and Netflix
Specials, like Girth of a Nation, and Unruly. “Hey, my name is Ralphie May. Y’all been great – thank you so much!” Ralphie would also dabble in acting, including
appearing in For da Love of Money. In October 2017 he went into cardiac arrest
and passed away. He was just 45 years old. Our journey through the quaint rural cemeteries
of Arkansas brings us to Butler Creek Cemetery in Sulphur Springs. Here is the grave of Tommy Morrison. He was a professional boxer from 1988 to 2008,
and held the WBO heavyweight title in 1993. Fans of the Rocky movies will also remember
Tommy for appearing alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky V. In 1996, Morrison tested positive
for HIV, which effectively ended his boxing career. The issue would be clouded when Morrison later
insisted the tests were false positives, and he never had the disease. He would even test negative years later, and
fight a couple more times. But for the last year of his life, he was
bed-ridden, his mother saying he had full-blown AIDS. Morrison died after suffering cardiac arrest
at age 44. Crosslawn Cemetery is in Wynne. Here lies Hugh “Bones” Taylor. He played professional football for the Washington
Redskins from 1947 to 1955, and made the Pro Bowl in ’52 and ’54. After his career he would coach, including
at Arkansas State University, and a number of NFL teams. Bones is a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall
of Fame. He lived to be 69. One more Arkansas stop brings us to Coop Prairie
Cemetery in Mansfield. Here lies Arthur Hunnicutt, an actor known
for playing wise, grizzled, and old rural characters, in films like El Dorado, Cat Ballou,
and The Big Sky, the latter of which earned him an Oscar Nomination. He made memorable appearances on television,
in shows like Bonanza, and The Magical World of Disney. Arthur Hunnicutt died from cancer at age 69. Our last state of the day is Louisiana, famous
for uniquely scenic and magnificent cemeteries, like Metairie Cemetery, the great Necropolis
of the South. This is another star-studded cemetery we’ve
visited in the past. Back again today for more historical figures,
like Jim Garrison. He was a key figure in the investigation into
JFK’s assassination. He was a New Orleans district attorney, who
led efforts to prosecute Clay Shaw for conspiracy in the assassination… the only person ever brought to trial for
the crime. Shaw was acquitted, and Garrison would later
write a book about the investigation, On the Trail of the Assassins. The book would serve as source material for
Oliver Stone’s movie, JFK, in which Garrison was portrayed by Kevin Costner. Across the freeway from Metairie is Greenwood
Cemetery. Here is the tomb of John Kennedy Toole. He was an acclaimed author, who tragically
would never know the success of his writings during his life. In the 1960s he began writing his novel, A
Confederacy of Dunces. After its completion he submitted it to publishers,
who were enthusiastic about the book, but demanded seemingly endless revisions. John became discouraged, and eventually shelved
the book in his closet. His discouragement grew into depression and
increasing paranoia. He went on a cross-country road trip that
ended in Mississippi, where he committed suicide by attaching a garden hose to the exhaust
pipe in his car. He was 31. His mother Thelma, also entombed here, discovered
his manuscript for A Confederacy of Dunces, and went on a crusade to have it published. She succeeded, the book finally being published
in 1980, over a decade after John’s death. The very next year the book was awarded the
Pulitzer Prize in Literature, and has since become a masterpiece of American Literature. Strolling along the streets lined with tiny
houses for the dead, we find the eternal residence of Sam Butera. New Orleans has a rich musical heritage, particularly
jazz music. Sam was a saxophone player, known for his
raucous playing style and association with another jazz legend, Louis Prima. Butera played the 500 Club here in New Orleans
regularly, but as the big band era wound down, he would find himself relocating to Vegas
to perform with Prima as leader of a band called “The Witnesses.” His R&B and pop style of big band jazz would
permeate the Vegas nightclub scene for some 20 years. He died from pneumonia at age 81. Let’s enjoy a little scenery here at Greenwood
before we move on. This is the grave of Emile Meyer. He was an actor in the 50s and 60s, known
for playing tough and authoritative figures, like Rufus in Shane, and Lt. Kello in Sweet
Smell of Success. He shed his tough guy persona to play the
kind hearted priest, Father Dupree, in 1957’s Paths of Glory. Meyer suffered from Alzheimer’s later in
life, passing away at age 76. Last up here at Greenwood is the grave of
Jack Kramer. He played baseball in the major leagues from
1939 to 1951, much of his career spent with the St. Louis Browns. He played pitcher, and would lead his team
to the World Series in 1944. Kramer was also a 3x All-Star. He lived to be 77. Our next New Orleans cemetery is Holt Cemetery,
a potter’s field in New Orleans. In these grounds is the grave of Buddy Bolden. He was a musician who played the cornet, which
is similar to the trumpet. Bolden was a key figure in the early development
of a new style of ragtime music, “jass,” which would later become jazz. Bolden’s band reached their peak between
1900 and 1907, and their improvisational style is considered by many as having originated
jazz, leading Bolden to sometimes be called the father of jazz. Next generation jazz greats like Louis Armstrong
would say of Bolden, “he was a one-man genius ahead of ‘em all,” and etched in his stone
is a quote from Jelly Roll Morton, who called him “The blowingest man since Gabriel.” At age 30 Buddy was diagnosed with schizophrenia,
and spent the remainder of his life in a mental institution. His death at age 54 was attributed to cerebral
arteriosclerosis. Also here at Holt we find Jessie Hill. He was an R&B and Louisiana blues singer and
songwriter, best remembered for his 1960 hit, “Ooh Poo Pah Doo,” which reached #28 on
the Hot 100 Chart. The song would be a favorite for Mardi Gras,
and has been covered numerous times by other artists. Hill actually died in 1996, at age 63, from
heart and renal failure. This is Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans. In the mausoleum we find the crypt of Fats
Domino. The pianist, singer, and songwriter is another
of the legendary musicians who pioneered rock and roll. His 1949 single, “The Fat Man,” is sometimes
cited as the first rock and roll single, and the first to sell more than a million copies. Later rock and roll legends like Elvis and
the Beatles would cite Domino as a major influence. Other of Fat’s Domino’s hits include “Ain’t
That a Shame.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame with the inaugural group in 1986, and lived to be 89. Also here in the mausoleum is the crypt of
Soulja Slim. He was a rap musician who rose to prominence
in the late 90s, early 2000s. He had a number 1 hit in the song “Slow
Motion,” a collaboration with Juvenile. Soulja Slim, whose real name was James Tapp,
died in 2003 after an assailant shot him. He was 26. No one has ever been convicted for his murder. One more musician to find here at Mount Olivet,
who went by the name of Professor Longhair. He was a pianist and singer who performed
New Orleans Blues. He performed in the heyday of early Rhythm
& Blues, in the 50s, and had something of a second career in the 70s through the New
Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. His style combined elements of rumba, mambo,
and calypso. Professor Longhair was inducted into the Blues
Hall of Fame in 1981, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. He died in his sleep from a heart attack at
61. Providence Memorial Park is in Metairie. Here is the crypt of James Booker. The self-proclaimed “Bronze Liberace”
was one of the most flamboyant and accomplished rhythm and blues pianists to come out of New
Orleans. He had his first hit in 1960’s “Gonzo,”
and became a popular figure on the jazz circuit in the 70s. Booker would perform with greats like Dr.
John, and Ringo, star, and even gave Harry Connick, Jr. piano lessons. The Piano Prince of New Orleans died at just
43 from renal failure from chronic drug use. Also here at Providence is the world’s greatest
Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson. In a career that spanned some 40 years, Mahalia
would become one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. She was instrumental in the development and
spread of gospel music throughout the US, selling an estimated 22 million albums. One of her early hits was 1947’s “Move
On Up a Little Higher.” Mahalia would perform on television, in sold
out concert halls, and for heads of state worldwide. And she would use her powerful voice in support
of the Civil Rights Movement. Mahalia was included into the Blues and Rock
and Roll Halls of Fame. The Queen of Gospel was actually born in 1911,
and died from complications of surgery at age 60. This is Cheramie Cemetery in Galliano, where
rests Audie Pitre. He was the bass player and backup vocalist
for the sludge metal band, Acid Bath in the 90s. He also formed and played in the band Shrum. But in 1997, Audie and his parents were killed
when their car was struck by a drunk driver. He was 26, and after his death Acid Bath disbanded. Lake Lawn Park Cemetery is our next stop. Heading into the mausoleum we find actor Michael
David Morrison. His credits may have been few, but he did
have a long-running role as Caleb Snyder in some 100 episodes of the soap opera, As the
World Turns, in the 1990s. But his career was cut short by an accidental
drug overdose at just 33. We’re in Baton Rouge now, and Resthaven
Cemetery. Here lies Pete Maravich. He remains college basketball’s highest
scorer, with 3,667 points. He went on to play professionally, for the
Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans later Utah Jazz, and the Boston Celtics. In his career he was a 5x NBA All-Star, and
1977’s NBA Scoring Champion. And he would become one of the youngest players
inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Maravich died suddenly during a game in 1988,
the result of an undetected heart defect. He was 40. And finally, our southern travels take us
to Bluff Creek Cemetery. Here lies the legendary Donna Douglas. The southern belle began acting in the 50s,
and in 1962 landed the role for which she’d be best known, referenced right here on her
tombstone, playing the tomboyish Elly May Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies. “Pa, you sure was right… oh hi Granny. You don’t have to wear boy’s clothes to
have fun with boys.” “Elly May, you promised me you wouldn’t
wrassle.” “I ain’t been wrasslin’.” “Then what’ve you been doin’ in your
ballgown?” “Doin’ what I’m supposed to do: playin’
ball!” She would play Elly May in some 273 episodes
between 1962 and 1971. She made other notable television appearances
as well, including in one of the most iconic episodes of The Twilight Zone: “Eye of the
Beholder.” After The Beverly Hillbillies, Donna shifted
her focus to other ventures, including gospel singing, and writing. The beloved Donna Douglas died from pancreatic
cancer at the age of 82. 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.
