October 5, 1902 – January 24, 1975
Louis Feinberg – known to the world as Larry Fine – was a vaudeville and film entertainer who was a member of the classic comedy team, The Three Stooges. Larry was asked by creator Ted Healy to join brothers Moe and Shemp Howard1 in their stage act. He said ‘yes’ and the rest was history.
August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
I hesitated adding a post about Michael Jackson for one, simple reason: I have not personally visited his grave, nor do I see it happening any time soon. He is interred within the halls of the most secure, private mausoleum in Los Angeles – and probably the whole country: The Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Glendale.
However, A) I didn’t feel right posting about Farrah without posting about Michael, given the close proximity of their deaths sort of bind them together forever. And B) His death and burial was the single, biggest celebrity death media spectacle this side of Elvis, so he sort of needs to be included.
So… Continue reading
March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965
Nathaniel Adams Coles was born in Alabama, raised in Chicago, and, from an early age, began a long career in music that would lead to him becoming one of the most recognizable voices of the 20th century. Nat dropped the “s” from his last name and picked up the nursery-rhyme-inspired middle name “King” and burst his buttery-voiced way into the Big Band, Jazz and Pop music worlds. Also a gifted pianist, Cole made a lasting impact with such mega-hits as “Unforgettable,” “L-O-V-E” and “The Christmas Song.” He was also the first African-American to host his own television variety program, The Nat King Cole Show.
December 08, 1925 – May 16, 1990
“THE ENTERTAINER” HE DID IT ALL
The inscription on Sammy Davis, Jr.’s grave marker could not be more accurate. He DID do it all. The multi-talented singer/dancer/actor/impersonator was a dynamo packed into a skinny, 5′ 5″ frame. By the age of 3, he was already performing on stage with his father, Sammy Davis, Sr. and Will Mastin as part of the Will Mastin Trio (Davis, Sr. and Mastin are also buried at Forest Lawn Glendale, right next to Sammy.) His career would see great heights despite personal setbacks. In 1954, Davis was in a serious car crash that resulted in the loss of his left eye, something he would use to his own self-deprecating sense of humor throughout his life. He found even greater fame along side pals Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in the legendary Rat Pack. The friends remained close throughout their lives and Sinatra remarked upon his death that Sammy was “one of the finest human beings I ever knew in my life.”
May 20, 1908 – July 02, 1997
By all accounts, Jimmy Stewart was a pretty remarkable human being.
A talented and distinctive actor, he was often described by anyone who knew him with words like “kind” and “generous” and so on and so forth. Even Joan Crawford liked him. And she hardly liked anybody. Beyond his Hollywood persona – which garnered him countless legendary roles, 5 Oscar nominations, and Lifetime Achievement awards from just about every organization imaginable – Jimmy was also a decorated military officer and a prolific philanthropist.
They don’t make them like that anymore. Continue reading
Celebrity Graveland 