Where the stars rest
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, is deeply rooted in local history and culture. Known as the final resting place for countless cinema icons, this historic cemetery offers a unique perspective on the glamorous past of the Los Angeles entertainment industry. It also serves as a quiet, reflective space in the middle of a fast-paced city.
Over a century of Hollywood
Founded in 1899 and originally named Hollywood Memorial Park, the cemetery spans 39 hectares (about 96 acres). It was established by Isaac Lankershim and Isaac Van Nuys, two major figures in the agricultural and real estate development of the region.
Over the decades, the cemetery became the preferred burial ground for Hollywood stars, directors, screenwriters, and other industry figures. After a period of neglect, the site was revitalized in the 1990s by Tyler Cassity, who modernized the facilities while preserving its cultural heritage.
Today, it functions as much as a celebration of life and art as it does a cemetery.
A new lease on life
Hollywood Forever is now a dynamic cultural site. It hosts events such as outdoor film screenings, concerts, and festivals. Visitors can explore monuments and mausoleums dedicated to figures such as Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, or Joe Dassin. Guided tours detail the lives of famous residents and the history of the film industry.
The central lake and lush gardens provide a peaceful setting that contrasts with the bustle of the surrounding city. Restoration and preservation efforts have maintained the historic elegance of the cemetery, making it a place for both remembrance and cultural discovery.
A beautiful cemetery, calm and green, where you can admire the graves of Rudolph Valentino or Judy Garland.
It is quite large, and it would deserve to have maps here and there to better figure out where the sought-after graves are, but since they sell maps for $6, it is unlikely to happen.
In any case, it is really quiet and pleasant.
Too bad, when we were there, the mausoleum was closed, we would have liked to be able to visit the inside.