Why do the media keep wanting to plant celebrities at Forest Lawn whether they're really there or not?
Michael Jackson may or may not be. Lucille Ball definitely isn't. But now Hugh Hefner (well, at least his future resting place) and Marilyn Monroe?
The National Enquirer (I know, I know) is currently reporting that Hef has "confessed" that he spent $1 million for the space next to Marilyn, Playboy magazine's first cover girl, "in famed Forest Lawn cemetery."
Snapped at Westwood on 7/16/2009
The problem with this story is that Marilyn has been at Westwood Memorial Park for nearly half a century, right where Joe DiMaggio put her. And famously so. Unless I missed something. Is the world now flat again, too?
Documentary footage of MM's funeral procession at Westwood courtesy of Sublime1Marilyn:
August 5, just a few days from now, marks the 47th anniversary of Marilyn's world-famous death. The date will be commemorated there with an annual public memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Hef's future crypt (left) next to Marilyn Monroe at Westwood ~ 7/16/2009
Besides, this isn't exactly news. I've been graving in Los Angeles for 20+ years and it's always been a long standing rumor (or fact, depending on who you talk to) that Hef purchased the stage-right crypt next to MM.
His ex, Holly Madison, even refused to go to Westwood in an episode of The Girls Next Door (featuring my pal, Scott Michaels, who tipped me off to the Enquirer piece ~ thanks, Scott!) because the reality of Hef's future crypt there was too depressing for her to deal with.
Try as I might to locate errant sources about MM's grave site, I couldn't find one. Wikipedia, notoriously inaccurate at times, lists her at Westwood. Even if you Google "Marilyn Monroe, Forest Lawn" it still takes you to pages that tell you exactly where she's located.
Bettie's new marker ~ snapped 7/26/2009
Additionally relevant trivia to punctuate the story....
Not far from MM is the newish grave site of Playboy's first centerfold, the lovely Bettie Page, who passed away last year. Hef attended her funeral there. And several feet away from Bettie lies Dorothy Stratten, Playboy's 25th Anniversary Playmate who was murdered by her husband in 1980.
Westwood is most definitely a Playboy cemetery. Just sayin'.
Finally, Hugh told writer Harry Mount in 2005 that he will end up at Westwood: "My dear friends are buried there - Mel Tormé, Buddy Rich, Dorothy Stratton. When I found that the vault next door to Marilyn Monroe was available, it seemed natural."
Case closed. Not that there really ever was one. I just like debunking slipshod reporting. ;-)
The Enquirer also reported that Hef recently ordered a marker with the epitaph "He lived a good life" written in large letters. Time will tell if that is correct. I love Hef, so here's hoping that we won't find that out for a good long while.
LB,
I always love reading your articles. You wrapped this story up like King Tut!
The thing I'd like to know is How old is Westwood Memorial Park? How much does it cost to move in there? The place truly...(how does the saying go?) has more stars than there are in heaven.... Well, pert-near.
"We seek him here, we seek him there
Those Frenchies seek him everywhere!
Is he in heaven? Or is he in hell?
That demmed Elusive Pimpernel?"
Is he there too?
xxxooo,
RODAN
Posted by: Dan "RODAN" Thompson | Jul 31, 2009 at 04:02
As always, a wonderful article Lisa!
Posted by: Lew Kyes | Jul 31, 2009 at 06:59
Great story Lisa. I so love graveyards too and this story about Marilyn and then Betti Paige are just great. You write so well.
Posted by: lynnpd | Jul 31, 2009 at 09:00