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 Westwood Village Memorial Park, where we'll find such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Don Knotts and many more. Join us won't you? Pierce Bros. Westwood Village Memorial Park is a tiny cemetery, hidden in the shadows of high-rises in Westwood, California, just off Wilshire Boulevard. It may be tiny but Westwood hosts more stars per capita than any other cemetery in the entire world. It was founded in 1905 under the name Sunset Cemetery and became Westwood in 1926. In 2002 it was designated as a historical cultural monument by the city of Los Angeles. Though tiny, since there are so many stars here, we'll be breaking this tour up into three parts. For this first part we'll follow the outer periphery that runs along the north and east of the cemetery. Our first stop is right next to the road. Funnyman Don Knotts can be seen in many great film and television productions of the 20th century, including "The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and "Three's Company." But he will forever be remembered for his role as deputy Barney Fife on the 60s TV series "The Andy Griffith Show," a role which earned him five Emmys. "I'm giving you the count of three if you ain't out of here on three, I'm drawing on you. One, two, three!" In 1996 TV Guide ranked in number 27 on their list of 50 greatest TV stars. Just northeast of Don is Hungarian actress and socialite Eva Gabor, who is perhaps best remembered for her role as Lisa Douglas on Green Acres. [music] Her unique voice can also be heard in several animated productions including "The Aristocats," and "The Rescuers." She also had her own fashion line of wigs and other beauty products. This is also the final resting place of Eva's older sister, Zsa Zsa Gabor. "Hello darlings!" Zsa Zsa was less known as an actress and more as a celebrity personality with a glamorous and extravagant lifestyle. She did act in several films like "Moulin Rouge," but most often just made appearances as herself. Her career began in Europe and she was crowned Miss Hungary in 1936. She was married in astounding 9 times, often poking fun at herself about it with quotes like "I am a marvelous housekeeper. every time I leave a man I keep his house." After her death at age 99 her ashes were placed in a gold box and carried in a Louis Vuitton bag to be buried alongside her sister. Fans of horror films will remember our next star from Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby." The multi-talented John Cassavetes played Guy Woodhouse in the horror classic, and can also be seen in "The Dirty Dozen," a role which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He was also a talented independent filmmaker pioneering the realistic cinema verite style with films like "Faces," and "A Woman Under the Influence." He is one of only a handful of film makers to be nominated for best directing, writing, and acting Oscars in their career. Around the corner is singer Mel Torme, nicknamed The Velvet fog for his smooth and mellow tenor tone. He was one of the most popular jazz singers of the 20th century famous for his improvisational abilities and scat singing. He also composed the beloved holiday classic "The Christmas Song." [music] On the wall to the right is the crypt of author Truman Capote. He wrote many works now considered literary classics including "Breakfast at Tiffany's," and "In Cold Blood," both of which were made into movies. He was childhood friends with "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee, and is said to have been the inspiration for the "Dill" character. In 2005 a biopic was made about the life of Capote starring Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman. After his death at age 59 Capote was cremated and a portion of his ashes given to his dear friend Joanne Carson, ex-wife of Johnny Carson. The ashes were stolen in 1988 during a Halloween party and returned several days later. In September 2016 his ashes were sold by Julien's Auctions for nearly $45,000, so they no longer rest in this crypt. Just to the right is another famous author, Jackie Collins. The epitaph "She gave a great deal of people a great deal of pleasure," sums up her career perfectly. She was a romance novelist who's 32 novels all appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Several of her works were made into movies or TV series. Below Jackie is child actress Heather O'Rourke. She was discovered by Steven Spielberg and cast as Carol Anne in the Poltergeist series of films in the 1980s. "They're here." Her line "They're here" ranked number 69 on AFI's list of 100 top movie quotes. Her untimely death at the age of 12 was from cardiac arrest due to a misdiagnosed intestinal stenosis. Her Poltergeist co-star Dominique Dunne, who was buried nearby, also died tragically when murdered by her boyfriend at just 22. The deaths of these two young starlets gave rise to a rumored "poltergeist curse," stemming from the reported use of real human skeletons as props in the films. But I don't believe in curses... do you? Around the corner is the Sanctuary of Tenderness. Low on the right wall is composer Harry Warren, one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. He wrote over 800 songs many for films with hits including "That's Amore," "At Last," "Jeepers Creepers," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," and more. He was nominated for 11 Oscars winning three. The music on his marker is the first few bars of his hit "You'll Never Know," which won him an Oscar for best song. [music] At the end of this corridor is writer/producer Sidney Sheldon. He won an Academy Award for his screenplay for "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer," but he is perhaps best remembers the creator of several popular television series, including "The Patty Duke Show," and "I Dream of Jeannie." Later in life he found success writing novels. In the next corridor down on the middle of the back walls is the niche of actor Jonathan Harris. His notable TV roles include the 60s television series "The Third Man," and "Lost in Space." You can also hear his voice as Manny in Pixar's "A Bug's Life," and as Geri the cleaner in "Toy Story 2." The next corridor down is the Sanctuary of Tranquillity. Low on the right wall is one of the music world's most legendary drummers: Buddy Rich. He was known for his speed, technique, and power often being referred to as the world's greatest drummer. He began playing drums in vaudeville at just 18 months old, being billed as "Baby Traps the Drum Wonder," and becoming the world's second highest paid child entertainer after Jackie Coogan. His career as a jazz drummer took off in the 30s when he would play with some of the era's greatest musicians, including Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Count Basie. He also played on session recordings for artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. He was notoriously short tempered, as alluded to in the song "Sabotage," by the Beastie Boys. At the end of this corridor, just above eye-level, is one of Hollywood's most influential cinematographers: James Wong Howe. Born in China his family moved to America when he was a child. He soon made his way to Hollywood, becoming one of the most sought-after cameramen of the 30s and 40s. He innovated many techniques including deep focus, and low-key lighting, often associated with film noir. He was nominated for ten Oscars, winning for "The Rose Tattoo," and "Hud." A few spaces down and to the left is screenwriter and filmmaker Nunnally Johnson. His career began in the 30s as a writer first for United Artists then for 20th Century Fox. Some of his more notable films include "The Grapes of Wrath," and "How to Marry a Millionaire," starring Marilyn Monroe. And on that note, just around the corner is one of the most visited grave sites not only in Hollywood but the entire world: Marilyn Monroe, whose crypt has turned shades of yellow and pink from the hands and lips of thousands of adoring fans. No individual has come to personify Hollywood more than Marilyn Monroe. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson she spent most of her childhood in foster homes. Her career began as a model after being discovered while working in a factory during the war. A film career soon followed and she chose the stage name Marilyn Monroe after Broadway star Marilyn Miller and her mother's maiden name, Monroe. After a few bit parts in films her breakout came in the early 50s with roles in "All About Eve," and John Huston's noir classic "The Asphalt Jungle." Her role may have been small, but they gave her the best line in the movie. "Haven't you bothered me enough you big banana head!?" She quickly rose in popularity in the years that followed. In 1953 her roles in Niagara and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" would make her Hollywood's biggest star. [music] Her soft breathy voice, blonde locks, and curvaceous figure maker the quintessential sex symbol of the 50s. Marilyn grew tired though of playing the dumb blonde bombshell. Despite this on-screen persona she was very intelligent, well-read, and regarded by many as being a great actress, not just a movie star. She enrolled in the famed Actors Studio in New York to broaden her range and work towards more serious dramatic roles. She returned to Hollywood in 1958 to star in "Some Like it Hot," a role which earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Her final film was "The Misfits," written for her by her husband Arthur Miller, a valentine, to provide her with a dramatic role. On the morning of August 5th 1962 Marilyn was found dead of a drug overdose in her Brentwood home. She was 36. Those close to Marilyn knew she suffered from periods of melancholy. One of the most poignant photos ever taken of Marilyn was by Richard Avedon - a rare candid moment when she let her guard down, dropping the facade of Marilyn Monroe, and once again becoming Norma Jeane, a girl few people really knew. Rest well Marilyn. The world loves and misses you. In the corner to the right is the locked Room of Prayer. Inside this room is the niche of Robert Stack, an actor who is perhaps best remembered for his role as gangster fighting agent, Eliot Ness, in the 60s TV series "The Untouchables." "Federal agents. My name is Eliot Ness." "Hey wait a minute! I never done any federal offense... not yet anyway." He also hosted the long-running series "Unsolved Mysteries." Heading south we reach the Sanctuary of Love. Ner the middle of the wall on the left is Dean Martin. Known as the "king of cool" Dean Martin was one of the most popular all-around entertainers of the 20th century. He partnered with Jerry Lewis in the comedy duo Martin and Lewis. He was also a member of the Rat Pack, alongside Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford. He starred in many films including the original "Ocean's 11," and hosted the immensely popular television series "The Dean Martin Show," and the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," which he often hosted while hilariously drunk. "I'm glad my good friend John Wayne was able to be here tonight. I love the way he dresses when he's in those western movies: shiny studs on his shirt, a colorful kerchief, and high heels. I don't know why they call him the Duke, they should call him the Duchess." His signature song "That's Amore" was written by Harry Warren, who we visited earlier. [music] [Arthur singing, poorly] Oh, sorry, I got caught up... it's such a catchy tune! On the opposite wall in the lower left corner is musician and actor Oscar Levant. He studied composition under Schoenberg and was close friends with George Gershwin. His performances of Gershwin's piano works are considered by many as definitive. He appeared as himself in the fictionalized biopic of Gershwin, "Rhapsody in Blue." He can also be seen in "An American in Paris." Levant was also renowned for his witticisms which made him a frequent panelist on TV game shows. He was open about his neuroses and hypochondria - fodder for his humor. Later in life he was frequently committed to mental hospitals and withdrew from the spotlight. He once quipped: "There's a fine line between genius and insanity - I have erased this line." Further down is the Sanctuary of Serenity. On the left, right at eye level we find actor John Boles, who is perhaps best remembered for his role as Victor in the 1931 horror classic "Frankenstein." He began in silent film but his career took off with the talkies, particularly in early romance and musical films, singing alongside Shirley Temple in films like "The Littlest Rebel," and "Curly Top." [music] Finally, high on the opposite wall, we find Robert Loggia, a prolific actor whose career spanned over 60 years. Though never a leading-man he was one of Hollywood's most in-demand and respected actors, starring in many of its most beloved films including "Scarface," "Big," and "Independence Day." And that concludes out 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! Many of you may know the legend of the man entombed above Marilyn Monroe. Richard Poncher purchased the crypt from Joe DiMaggio in the 1950s, long before it was known that Marilyn would end up one space below. Shortly before his death he told his wife Elsie, quote, "If I croak, if you don't put me upside down over Marilyn, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life." According to his wife who is now entombed next to him she and the funeral director honored his final wish, turning his body over in the casket before entombment, so that he could face Marilyn for eternity. In 2009 his wife put the crypt up for sale on eBay. It sold for four and a half million dollars, but the buyer backed out so Mr Poncher's place above Marilyn remains undisturbed. And this empty crypt next to Marilyn? Well that belongs to Playboy founder, Hugh Hefner.
