Archive for September, 2013

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Eve Arden

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , on September 12, 2013 by Cade

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April 30, 1908 – November 12, 1990

Eve Arden (born Eunice M. Quedens) was a stage, radio and screen actress who famously played the title role in the the radio, television AND film versions of Our Miss Brooks. Arden’s natural wit and ease with comedy made her instantly likable and immensely popular. In addition to Brooks, she was also often seen on stage in New York and Chicago (she made her Broadway debut in the 1934 version of the Ziegfeld Follies) and appeared in over 60 films and dozens of television shows. Continue reading →

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Jam Master Jay

Posted in Ferncliff Cemetery with tags , , on September 12, 2013 by Cade

mizell1January 21, 1965 – October 30, 2002

Jason Mizell – better known to the world of music as “Jam Master Jay” – was a pioneer in hip-hop as the DJ for the legendary rap group, Run-DMC. Even though Jay was most known for his work on the turntables, he was a multi-instrumentalist and played drums, keyboards and bass in the studio during the group’s recording sessions.  He was also a notable producer. Born in Hollis, Queens, a young Mizell met Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Joseph “Run” Simmons and wanted “to join the band.” He did so as their DJ and the world of mainstream hip-hop was changed forever. Continue reading →

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John Wooden

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , , on September 9, 2013 by Cade

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October 14, 1910 – June 4, 2010

I’m just going to start this off by complaining about the fact that someone dubbed “The Wizard of Westwood” is not, in fact, buried IN Westwood.

Ok, with that out of the way, let’s talk college basketball. John Wooden was an All-American player at Purdue, but is best regarded for being the head coach of the UCLA Bruins from 1948-1975. While in Westwood, Wooden led the Bruins to 10 National Championships…in 12 years.  His program won 88 consecutive games at one point during this amazing run. A feat that has never even been sniffed by another team. Continue reading →

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Michael Clarke Duncan

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , on September 6, 2013 by Cade

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December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012

Michael Clarke Duncan was an actor known for his massive size.  His breakout role as a gifted death-row inmate in 1999’s The Green Mile earned him an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination.  Duncan started off his career pulling bodyguard and security jobs until he was motivated to pursue acting.  He appeared in a number of films and television shows – often playing amiable and jolly characters that juxtaposed his intimidating 300 pound frame. Continue reading →

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Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.

Posted in Kensico Cemetery with tags , on September 6, 2013 by Cade

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March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932

Florenz “Flo” Ziegfeld, Jr.  was one of the biggest names and most important figures in early 1900’s Broadway theatre.  The Ziegfeld Follies – Paris-inspired revues replete with extravagant costumes, showstopping musical numbers and the famous “Ziegfeld Girls,” ran from 1907 through 1931 in New York City and successfully bridged the gap between the low-brow vaudeville shows and the high-concept Broadway musicals that would follow (he also produced the groundbreaking musical, Show Boat). Continue reading →

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Edgar Bergen

Posted in Inglewood Park Cemetery with tags on September 6, 2013 by Cade

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February 16, 1903 – September 30, 1978

Perhaps the most famous ventriloquist ever, Edgar Bergen (along with his friends – most notably Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd) defined the art form for generations. As a young comedian and actor, Bergen paid his dues in vaudeville and was given his own show after a very successful appearance on Rudy Vallée‘s radio program. Yup, ventriloquism on the radio.  Either way, Edgar and friends eventually made it to television and enjoyed a long career of entertaining audiences and inspiring future performers. Continue reading →

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Sandra Dee

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , on September 5, 2013 by Cade

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April 23, 1942 – February 20, 2005

A model and actress known for her roles as wholesome ingenues, Sandra Dee (born Alexandra Zuck) was probably most famous for her marriage to and divorce from ill-fated singer, Bobby Darin.  Her career spanned nearly 40 years, but the bulk of the last 20 were spent much out of the public eye due to constant health issues. She battled anorexia (that stemmed from her early days as a model,) depression and alcoholism throughout her life. Continue reading →

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Gummo Marx

Posted in Forest Lawn Glendale with tags , , on September 5, 2013 by Cade

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October 21, 18921 – April 21, 1977

Milton “Gummo” Marx was the 2nd youngest of the Marx Brothers comedy team.  He was a part of the family’s early vaudeville days but was drafted into the Army near the end of World War I and never joined them in their film careers.  After his military service, he returned to show business as an agent. He represented his brother, Groucho, and a number of other writers and actors. Continue reading →

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Chico Marx

Posted in Forest Lawn Glendale with tags , , , on September 5, 2013 by Cade

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March 22, 1887 – October 11, 1961

Leonard “Chico” Marx was the oldest of the legendary Marx Brothers comedy team.  Born in New York City, Chico (pronounced “Chick-o”) and his brothers performed from an early age in vaudeville with their uncle.  All of the brothers were talented musicians, but it was the more-or-less accidental discovery that they were hilarious that eventually launched them into super-stardom.  Chico adopted a stage persona of a rural Italian who dressed in baggy clothes and Bavarian hat. Continue reading →

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