Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond
Disclaimer: The last time I visited Forest Lawn Glendale and the Freedom Mausoleum, this blog wasn’t even a thought in my mind. So, there were a number of graves I visited but didn’t photograph. I hesitated to write a post about these celebrities, but, in the end, figured “why not?”. This is one of those posts.
June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965
Jeanette MacDonald was one of the most popular singer/actresses throughout the golden age of the Hollywood musical. Her legendary professional partnership with Nelson Eddy produced memorable classics (including Naughty Marietta and Sweethearts) for MGM. Rumors of off-screen romance plagued the duo throughout their lives. After her death from multiple heart ailments at the age of 61, Eddy all but confirmed the rumors were true. MacDonald was a powerful soprano who worked her way out of the Broadway chorus lines to become one of the most successful screen performers of her era. She used her talent and influence to help introduce opera to many who had never heard it before. When not making movies, she toured extensively giving concerts all around the world and was noted for her work with the U.S. Army throughout World War II. In addition to her maybe/maybe not secret affair with Nelson, she was married to…
August 13, 1908 – May 2, 1998
…actor, composer and producer, Gene Raymond. His work throughout the 1930’s and ’40’s saw him star opposite legends like Jean Harlow, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. He also wrote a number of songs, a couple of which were made famous by his wife, Jeanette MacDonald. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Raymond served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. His marriage to MacDonald was rife with controversy. Not only were the two not always faithful, but controversial rumors arose about Gene’s preference for men in his indiscretions. Because of these rumors growing more and more substantial, Raymond sort of unwittingly became one of the original Hollywood icons for the gay community. Despite all that, he remarried another woman after MacDonald died and remained so until his own death from pneumonia at the age of 89.
Burial
Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Glendale, CA
Photo – A.J. Marik, Find-a-Grave
Specific Location
Freedom Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Heritage; Enter the mausoleum and take your first right, on the left will be the Sanctuary of Heritage, Gene and Jeanette are on the right-hand side, 4th tier up in the middle, directly below Nat King Cole.
Celebrity Graveland 
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