David White

Posted in Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tags , on January 22, 2019 by Cade

April 4, 1916 – November 27, 1990

David White appeared in dozens of television programs throughout the 1950’s (Peter Gunn, Father Knows Best), 1960’s (The Fugitive, The Twilight Zone), 1970’s (The Love Boat, The Rockford Files)  and the 1980’s (Cagney & Lacey, Remington Steele).  He appeared in classic films like The Apartment and Brewster’s Millions. But, smack in the middle of his career, he played the role for which he is most widely recognized: Larry Tate – the boss of Darrin Stephens – on all 8 seasons of the sitcom Bewitched.  He worked steadily on the large and small screens and on stage for nearly 40 years. Continue reading →

1 Comment »

John Huston

Posted in Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tags , on January 17, 2019 by Cade

August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987

John Marcellus Huston was an amateur boxer, painter, horseback rider, actor, writer, master of hounds and ballet dancer. He also dabbled in directing films.

One of the true “artists” in Hollywood history, Huston’s work as a director is a laundry list of some of the greatest cinematic treasures of all time: The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, The Asphalt Jungle, The Misfits, Prizzi’s Honor and The Red Badge of Courage…just to name a few. Known as a sort of rebel in the industry, Huston relied heavily on his training and passion for painting to shape and meticulously compose gorgeous shots and stitch them together, with minimal editing, to create stunning masterpieces. He was nominated for 15 Oscars, winning twice – both for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (writing and directing). Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Margaret Hamilton

Posted in Cremated with tags , , on January 14, 2019 by Cade

December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985

Movie stars play leading roles. Actors play characters. The success of an actor generally hinges upon his or her ability to play a wide-range of characters well. Good characters. Funny characters. Eccentric characters. Evil characters. These characters often differ vastly from the person portraying them. Character actor Margaret Hamilton’s defining role could not have been more different than her real-life nature. In order for her parents to let her pursue acting professionally, Hamilton had to attend college first. She studied teaching – a passion she carried with her throughout her life – and then jumped into acting. She made a number of movies in Hollywood in the 1930s, but it was a 1939 film that would cement her in film history. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Harry Warren

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , on December 21, 2018 by Cade

December 24, 1893 – September 22, 1981

Academy Award winning composer, Harry Warren, was one of the first songwriters to focus mainly on the newfangled medium called “movies.” He wrote more than 500 songs over the course of his career. He gave us massive hits like “I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Jeepers Creepers” and many, many more. Along with lyricist Al Dubin, Warren scored the first hit film musical, 42nd Street. He worked for all the major film studios – oftentimes alongside legendary director/choreographer, Busby Berkeley – and partnered with many of the most famous lyricists of the day, including, but not limited to, Johnny Mercer, Mack Gordon and Ira Gershwin. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Marion Davies

Posted in Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tags , on December 20, 2018 by Cade

January 3, 1897 – September 22, 1961

Marion Cecilia Elizabeth Brooklyn Douras was born in…well…Brooklyn. From an early age, young Marion wanted to perform. She found herself on the Broadway stage in chorus roles and eventually landed a coveted spot as a Ziegfeld girl. A jump to the screen was inevitably next. Her looks and comedic talent led to a budding career in the silent comedies and other top films of the day. As talented and successful as she was, history most remembers Davies for her relationship to powerful newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst. Hearst was enamored – some would say obsessed – with Davies. He bankrolled many of her films and dictated much of what she was able to do. He specifically preferred her in elaborate historical dramas and kept her away from her more natural lighter, comedic roles. It wasn’t all bad for Davies, though. She got to play hostess to extravagant parties at Hearst’s mansions and enjoyed numerous box office hits. And, by most accounts, they truly loved each other. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Garry Marshall

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , , , on December 19, 2018 by Cade

November 13, 1934 – July 19, 2016

Garry Marshall was an immensely successful producer, director and writer whose contributions to American television could hardly be missed for much of the 1970s and ’80s. After coming up as a joke writer on shows like The Joey Bishop Show, Make Room for Daddy and The Dick Van Dyke Show, Marshall created and produced a string of hits of his own, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple and Mork and Mindy. He wrote, acted, directed and just about everything in between. His career as a feature film director found notable success, as well, with box office smashes like Pretty Woman, Overboard, Beaches and The Princess Diaries. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Allan Sherman

Posted in Hillside Memorial Park with tags on December 17, 2018 by Cade

November 30, 1924 – November 20, 1973

As a child, I only recall my grandmother ever laughing one time: while listening to a cassette copy of Allan Sherman’s “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” at her kitchen table. The peak of comedian/parodist, Allan Sherman’s career may have been short-lived, but he had one. When all was said and done, Sherman recorded 8 albums, created game shows, performed with the Boston Pops and was the original voice for Dr. Seuss‘ Cat in the Hat. His 1964 surprise novelty hit, “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” made him a household name for a summer. Then, the world turn its eyes to some bands from Britain and moved on. But, Allan continued to work. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Douglas Fairbanks

Posted in Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tags , , on December 13, 2018 by Cade

May 23, 1883 – December 12, 1939

Douglas Fairbanks was the original “King of Hollywood.” A silent-era deity on screen, he starred in more than 40 successful and popular silent films and was one of the founding fathers of what we know Hollywood to be today. Fairbanks made a career of playing adventuresome heroes like Zorro and Robin Hood. He did his own, increasingly-complicated and dangerous stunts and was one of the top-earning actors in the world at the time. Off-screen, he became half of the first “Hollywood Royalty” power couple when he married his second wife, actress Mary Pickford. Along with Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and director D.W. Griffith, Fairbanks started United Artists to help these massive stars control their own interests instead of relying on studios. He and Pickford also created the Motion Picture Fund to help struggling artists make ends meet. He served as the first president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and hosted the very first Oscars ceremony. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Posted in Hollywood Forever Cemetery with tags , on December 12, 2018 by Cade

December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000

Being the son of a Hollywood legend is a great way to get your start in the movie business. Being a decent actor is a great way to have a long and successful career making movies. Fortunately for Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., he was both. As a very young man, he struggled to make a name for himself for a while before breaking out opposite Edward G. Robinson in 1931’s Little Caesar and in 1939’s Gunga Din. He went on to work in films in both Hollywood and in England leading up to World War II. During the war, Fairbanks was commissioned as a reserve officer and became a decorated Captain in the Navy for creating the Beach Jumpers special deception unit. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Al Jarreau

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , , on December 10, 2018 by Cade

March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017

Jazz singer Al Jarreau walked by night. And he flew by day. Nothing could change him. Set and sure of the way. Originally from Wisconsin, Jarreau got his professional start in night clubs in the San Francisco area. L.A. would soon call and with it came TV appearances, recording contracts, Grammys and acclaim. With hits like “We’re in This Love Together” and “After All”, Jarreau’s smooth vocals resonated with audiences. Later in his career he focused on live shows and even appeared on Broadway in the 1996 revival of Grease. His biggest hit (at least in my house) was the theme song to the late-80s television show, Moonlighting. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »