Almost everyone knows that Westwood is the home of UCLA and the notable Bruins, but I don’t know if everyone knows that Westwood is also the resting place of such stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, Gene Kelly, Farrah Fawcett and Natalie Wood.

I first learned of The Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery years ago when I was on my way to a movie at the Avco Theatre on Wilshire Boulevard.

The cemetery is tucked right behind the theater in a location that is in the middle of the city, yet very private, in the sense that it is nearly impossible to find if you aren’t looking for it.

The address itself is 1218 Glendon Avenue and it is the resting place of some of the entertainment industry’s greatest names, starting with Marilyn Monroe in 1962. Joe Di Maggio, was responsible for Monroe’s arrangements and chose Westwood as her resting place as it was the resting place of Monroe’s mother’s friend, Grace Goddard and Goddard’s aunt, Ana Lower, both of whom cared for the star as a child.

Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery was established around 1900 and is situated on a peaceful two-and-a-half acres, yet hidden behind the towering high-rises that line the busy Wilshire Boulevard.

It’s interesting that people wait an hour in line to see the latest summer blockbuster at the Avco movie theatre complex and don’t even realize the amazing star quality that is contained in this very small, quiet, and well-kept cemetery just 10 steps away!

The history of Hollywood remains in Los Angeles and if you are on a quest to find something interesting to do that you have not done before, I encourage you to visit this wonderful, well-kept secret right in the heart of Westwood.

Here are just some of the notables and a reference to some of their work:

*Natalie Wood (1938-1981) “Rebel Without A Cause” “West Side Story” “Miracle on 34^th Street”

*Eddie Albert (1906-2005) “Green Acres” “Roman Holiday”

*Donna Reed (1921-1986) “From Here to Eternity“ “It’s a Wonderful Life”

*Rodney Dangerfield (1921-2004) “Caddyshack”

*Farrah Fawcett (1947-2009) “Charlie’s Angels”

*Eva Gabor (1919-1995) “Green Acres”

*Merv Griffin (1925-2007) “Jeopardy!” “TheMerv Griffin Show”

*Brian Keith (1921-1997) and his daughter Daisy “Family Affair”

*Gene Kelly (1912-1996) “Singin’ In The Rain”

*Dean Martin (1917-1995) “Volare“ “That’s Amore”

*Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) “How to Marry A Millionaire“ “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”

*Roy Orbison (1936-1988) “Crying” “Oh, Pretty Woman”

*Mel Torme (1925-1999) “The Christmas Song”