Storm ravages Hollywood's favorite cemetery leaving stars' graves littered with trees and debris
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A powerful storm that hit Los Angeles decimated Hollywood's go-to final resting place as strong winds toppled trees and downed power lines. A number of celebrity graves were littered with broken branches and debris at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills following the storm over the weekend. Some headstones were knocked down and ornamental bushes uprooted.
It's worth noting that the renowned cemetery houses a multitude of stars including actress Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, who were laid to rest next to each other after dying within days of each other in 2016. Actresses Lucille Ball and Brittany Murphy as well as the iconic pianist Liberace are also buried there. The neighboring Mount Sinai Memorial Park cemetery was also covered in debris, with broken branches strewn across the headstone of beloved comic Bob Saget, who died in 2022 at age 65.
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Famous cemetery ravaged
A number of violent storms hit California over the weekend, leaving more than 120,000 residents without electricity, as per the Daily Mail. More storms are reportedly expected this week. The damage to the cemetery, where several icons are buried or have been honored, was captured in photos published by the newspaper. Hollywood legend Bette Davis, whose acting career spanned over 50 years, rests at the cemetery. 'Glee' star Naya Rivera, who tragically drowned at the age of 33, is also buried there.
Actress Brittany Murphy, who shot to prominence for her role in 'Clueless', and also starred in 'Uptown Girls' and Eminem's '8 Mile, was among the stars buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
The historical site is also the final resting place of 'Fast and Furious' star Paul Walker and actor John Ritter, who played Jack Tripper in 'Three's Company.' The 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson had his funeral here in 2009 but was ultimately buried at Forest Lawn's more prominent location in Glendale, California.
Hollywood's final abode
Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills houses dozens of stars including Harriet MacGibbon, who played Mrs Drysdale in the hit sitcom 'The Beverly Hillbillies', UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and 'F-Troop' star Forrest Tucker. Other Hollywood greats such as George Raft, who starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like It Hot', and the Latino stand-up comedian and 'Chico and the Man' star Freddie Prinze were laid to rest at Forest Lawn.
Academy Award-winner Rod Steiger, best known for his roles in 'The Pawnbroker, 'Oklahoma!' and 'In the Heat of the Night' also rests at the cemetery, along with '50s teen icon Sandra Dee, who became famous for her mention in the Grease hit number 'Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee
Other sections of the cemetery contain the graves of actor Michael Clarke Duncan, who starred alongside Tom Hanks in 'The Green Mile'; comic actor McLean Stevenson of 'M*A*S*H' fame, and Grammy winner Lou Rawls who delivered hits such as 'Lady Love' and 'You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine'. Meanwhile, the youngest brother in the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, who also had solo hits like 'Everlasting Love', is also buried at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
A number of other notable names are at the cemetery, including 'Happy Days' actor Tom Bosley and silent film star Buster Keaton. Marty Feldman, who played alongside Gene Wilder in 'Young Frankenstein', and comic Bob Kane are also buried there. Some others include actor David Carradine, who starred in the Kung Fu drama series, and musician Ricky Nelson, remembered for his chart-topping hits such as 'Hello, Mary Lou' and 'Fools Rush In'.