From Marilyn's crypt, we now move west a little to examine a few other celebs located along the northern edge of the park. (See a map of the grounds.)

In this series of semi-enclosed "sanctuaries." surrounding the main lawn, you'll find a number of Hollywood notables. The gates of most of these open "sanctuary." alcoves are unlocked, so feel free to enter. And each sanctuary has its name posted in clear view, so it's easy to tell the rooms apart.

Start with the alcove right next to Marilyn's tomb (to the west); it's known as the Sanctuary of Tranquillity. Step inside, and on the bottom row of the right (east) wall, two spaces in from the south end, is the crypt of famed drummer Buddy Rich (1917-1987) (a regular guest on the old Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.)

  Here's a clip of him drumming on "The Lucy Show".

On the back wall of this same the Sanctuary of Tranquillity. you will find the crypt of one of the most acclaimed cinematographers of all time, James Wong Howe (1899-1976). Known to his friends as Jimmie, he began his Academy Award-winning role as director of photography back in the silent days of 1922, and went on to do such films "Hud," "Picnic," "The Old Man & the Sea" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy." He filmed Burt Lancaster (who is buried nearby) in "The Rose Tattoo," and won an Oscar for it. He filmed "This Property is Condemned" with Natalie Wood. His last film was 1975's "Funny Lady," the biopic of Fanny Brice, who is also buried here at Pierce Bros. You'll find his small niche nine spaces up from the bottom, and four spaces in from the right (east) wall.

One alcove to the west, in the Sanctuary of Devotion (the middle of these three outdoor rooms), you'll find the crypt of actor Jonathan Harris (1914-2002). If that name doesn't immediately ring a bell for you, think of the classic 60's sci-fi series "Lost in Space", and then think of the dastardly, cowardly 'Dr. Smith'. Yes, that was Jonathan Harris. Although the character of 'Zachary Smith' started out as a minor villain, he soon dominated the popular show, with much humorous banter between himself and the Robinson family robot. Harris also provided the voices for many cartoon characters, such as 'Manny', the pompous praying mantis in Disney's "A Bug's Life". His small crypt is located on the back wall, three spaces in from the right wall, nine spaces up from the bottom, just above eye level.

In the last alcove to the west, in the Sanctuary of Tenderness, is the crypt of actor Christopher George (1931-1983), who played 'Sgt. Sam Troy' on TV's "The Rat Patrol", and 'Ben Richards' on "The Immortal." He was married to actress Lynda Day George (and Vanna White was his niece).

His crypt is on the left (east) wall, in the second row up, five spaces from the south end.

In the wall crypt directly below Christopher George is is Oscar-winning composer Harry Warren, whose songs included "The Lullaby of Broadway," "Jeepers Creepers," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "The More I See You," "I Only Have Eyes For You," "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe," and "That's Amore" (which was a hit for Dean Martin, who is also buried here at Pierce Bros.)

The musical notes on his headstone are from another of his hit compositions: "You'll Never Know."

Step back outside, and continue to the west, past the Sanctuary of Tenderness and around the corner. There, on the outside (west-facing) wall is author Truman Capote (1924-1984), the sophisticated wit who gave us the sparkling "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and the chilling "In Cold Blood." His crypt is in the second row up from the ground, two spaces from its south corner.

The child actress from the movie "Poltergeist," is also here: Heather O'Rourke (1975-1988), who played 'Carol Anne', the little girl who was famous for the line "They're here!." She is interred just below and to the left of Truman Capote, on the bottom row of the same wall. She died at age 13, on the operating table.

Ironically, the young actress who played Heather's older sister in "Poltergeist," Dominique Dunne (1959-1982), also died tragically (strangled by her estranged boyfriend) and is also buried here at Pierce Bros, in a lawn grave near the southern curb, just southwest of Dorothy Stratten, and south of Donna Reed.

(Her father, Dominick Dunne, is the author of such best-sellers as "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" and "An Inconvenient Woman." ; he became an outspoken TV commentator during the O.J. Simpson trial.)

On the grass just in front of the crypt of Truman Capote is the lawn grave of singer Mel Torme (1925-1999).

A 1940's crooner known as "The Velvet Fog." (a title he hated), Mel went on to embrace an improvisational jazz style in his later years, winning Grammy Awards as Best Male Jazz Vocalist in the '80's. Along the way, he appeared in a number of Hollywood movie musicals. He also wrote 300 songs, including the classic carol "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."), which became a huge hit for fellow singer Nat 'King' Cole. In latter years, Mel appeared with Ella Fitzgerald at the annual Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, and also guest starred frequently on the popular TV sitcom "Night Court.." (see the map.)

When they had his funeral here at Westwood Memorial, "Night Court" star Harry Anderson was among a host of celebrities and members of the public who attended. Speakers included Mel Brooks, Donald O'Connor, Nancy Sinatra, Hugh Hefner, Cliff Robertson, Robert Culp, Harlan Ellison, Gloria DeHaven and Rhonda Fleming. Pallbearers included Jack Jones James Darren, Jerry Vale, Ray Anthony and Rich Little.

Just to the west of Truman Capote's wall is a large tree, with a white stone bench in front. On the lawn behind this tree is the grave of famed actor/director John Cassavetes (1929-1989). As an actor, Cassavetes starred as Mia Farrow's husband in "Rosemary's Baby" ; as a director, he often worked with Peter Falk and Ben Gazarra, and gave us the acclaimed "A Woman Under the Influence" (which starred his wife, actress Gena Rowlands).

Right next to Cassavetes is the grave of Hungarian-born actress Eva Gabor (1921-1995) (Zsa Zsa's sister), who starred as Eddie Albert's ditzy, city-loving wife, Lisa Douglas, stuck out in Hooterville on the popular TV sitcom "Green Acres." (Eddie is also buried here at Pierce Bros.)

She also sung part of the show's theme song: 

In between the wall with Truman Capote's crypt and the graves of Cassavetes and Eva Gabor is the grave of superagent Irving "Swifty" Lazar (1907-1993), the man who helped put the restaurant Spago on the map with his annual, post-Oscars party, which Swifty threw each year at Puck's bistro. His party was the place to be on Oscar night - until his death ended the tradition.

To the west of this tree, near the park entrance, is a small free-standing mausoleum which is the final resting place of industrialist Armand Hammer (1898-1990) and his family, who founded Occidental Petroleum and was one of the wealthiest men in America. Armand Hammer pioneered trade with the Soviet Union, back when such openness was unheard of. (The Armand Hammer museum of art is located right across Wilshire Boulevard.)

Right above the southern curb of this northern strip of lawn (only a few steps east of the west corner) is one of the greatest TV character actors of all time: Don Knotts (1924-2006).

Don was unforgettable as deputy 'Barney Fife', patroling the peaceful town of Mayberry, NC (single bullet in his pocket) on the classic "Andy Griffith Show". He had created a "nervous man" character for the Steve Allen Show, and played a similar jittery role in the 1958 movie "No Time For Sergeants" - which also starred Andy Griffith. Originally, Andy was supposed to be the funny one on the show, but he was soon eclipsed by 'Barney Fife' and ended up playing straight-man to Don Knotts' beloved 'Barney' character.

Don left the show in 1965 (after starring in the animated film, ""The Incredible Mr. Limpet"), and signed with Universal Studios, who starred him in a number of movies where he played essentially the same nervous character, including "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" and "The Reluctant Astronaut". He later made family films for Disney, such as "The Apple Dumpling Gang". But he really never hit it big in the movies. TV, on the other hand, always loved him.

In the 1970's, he adopted another famous role as 'Mr. Furley', the suspicious landlord to the daffy trio on the hit sitcom "Three's Company."

In the last part of his life, he reunited with Andy Griffith for Mayberry reunion specials, as well as for Andy's lawyer show "Matlock". And in 1998, Don played the mysterious TV repairman in the movie "Pleasantville".

In 2010, his original small marker was replaced with a large, distinctive bronze plaque bearing the likenesses of Don's characters: Barney Fife, Mr. Limpet, the Reluctant Astronaut, etc.

( This may well be my favorite marker, ever. Be sure to click on the small photo of his marker (to the the right) to see a larger image of it, so you can appreciate the detail. )