Buzz
Hollywood is widely recognized for its eccentricity and flamboyant personalities. With immense wealth and fame, many celebrities have the means to fulfill their unique desires. Some stars go as far as creating grand monuments or commissioning extraordinary artworks to ensure their legacy lives on for generations to come.
This list explores the amusing and peculiar ways certain celebrities have chosen to be remembered. We’ll delve into the bizarre and unconventional epitaphs engraved on their tombstones, marking their final journey in true showbiz style.
10. Penn & Teller: “Is this your card?”
One of the strangest tombstones on our list belongs not to a deceased individual but to a living comedy duo! The legendary magicians Penn & Teller have already designed their tombstone in preparation for the future. Having performed together for more than 45 years, they began their careers busking on the streets of Philadelphia before achieving fame and starring in Broadway productions.
Penn & Teller have earned numerous award nominations and have appeared on popular TV shows like The Simpsons, Friends, and Modern Family. Their tombstone features the playful inscription, “Is this your card?”—a nod to their mastery of magic and deception. It’s a shame they couldn’t predict their own passing—now that would have been a trick for the history books!
9. Leslie Nielsen: “Let’ er rip”
Beloved comedian Leslie Nielsen (1926–2010) is most famous for his role as Detective Frank Drebin in the Police Squad! series and The Naked Gun films. Starting his career in dramatic roles in movies like Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure, this Canadian actor later transitioned into comedy.
Following his breakout role in Airplane!, Nielsen became a household name, starring in Dracula: Dead and Loving It and the Scary Movie series. Known for his love of slapstick and bathroom humor, it’s only fitting that his tombstone bears the phrase “Let’ er rip,” celebrating his comedic genius.
8. Rodney Dangerfield: “There goes the neighborhood”
Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004), famous for his iconic line, “I don’t get no respect!”, became one of the most beloved comedians of the 20th century. Born in New York, he spent years honing his craft as a stand-up comedian before becoming a regular on late-night TV. His career soared in the 1980s with hit movies like Caddyshack, Easy Money, and Back to School.
Known as the “King of the Zingers,” it’s only fitting that his tombstone reads, “There goes the neighborhood,” a humorous nod to the idea that his presence in the cemetery might lower its appeal. True to his comedic roots, Dangerfield had the last laugh.
7. Bette Davis: “She did it the hard way”
Bette Davis (1908–1989), often hailed as one of the greatest actresses of all time and nicknamed the “Fifth Warner Brother,” was a defining figure of Hollywood’s Golden Age. A proud New Englander, Davis was known for her raw, authentic performances that captivated audiences. She starred in timeless classics such as Jezebel, All About Eve, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Davis was notorious for her meticulous attention to detail, which often made her a challenging co-star. Robert Wagner once recounted how, during the Broadway play Night of the Iguana, she pushed her leading man to the brink, prompting him to attempt to strangle her. It’s no wonder her legacy is encapsulated by the phrase, “She did it the hard way.”
6. Joan Hackett: “Go away—I’m asleep”
In fifth place is the fearless actress Joan Hackett (1934–1983), renowned for her performance in the 1981 film Only When I Laugh, which earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. Despite dropping out of high school, Hackett rose to become one of the most acclaimed theater actresses of her time, eventually catching Hollywood’s eye. She appeared in popular TV series like The Twilight Zone, The Defenders, and The Love Boat.
Sadly, Hackett succumbed to ovarian cancer at just 49 years old and was laid to rest at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. After such a remarkable career, her tombstone bears the witty inscription, “Go away – I’m asleep.”
5. Billy Wilder: “I’m a writer but then nobody’s perfect”
Billy Wilder (1906–2002), the mastermind behind iconic films like Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, and The Apartment, is often regarded as the greatest screenwriter in cinematic history. The Austrian-American filmmaker tackled bold themes such as alcoholism, prostitution, murder, and scandal, paving the way for modern filmmaking.
Billy Wilder initially pursued law in Vienna but abandoned his studies to work as a journalist. He later fled to America in 1933 after the Nazis rose to power in Germany. Known for his sharp, sardonic humor, Wilder’s wit is immortalized on his tombstone. With a self-mocking tone, he pokes fun at the stereotypical temperament of artists, declaring, “I’m a writer but then nobody’s perfect.”
4. Merv Griffin: “I will not be right back after this message”
Merv Griffin (1925–2007) is most famous for hosting his long-running, Emmy-winning talk show. Beyond that, he was a visionary media mogul, creating iconic game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Growing up near San Francisco, he staged backyard shows with local children as his cast. After stints as a musician and bank teller, he transitioned into theater and entertainment.
His experience in Broadway and radio seamlessly translated to daytime TV, where he became a beloved figure. His epitaph humorously nods to his television career, telling fans, “I will not be right back after this message.”
3. Jackie Gleason: “And away we go!”
Jackie Gleason (1916–1987) is a legendary name in American television, best known for his role in the classic show The Honeymooners. Raised in poverty in Brooklyn without a father, Gleason began his career in vaudeville before moving to Broadway, where he was discovered by Warner Brothers. He later starred in blockbuster films such as Smokey and the Bandit and The Hustler, earning an Oscar nomination for the latter.
The phrase that will forever define Gleason is “And away we go!”, the title of a music and comedy album he released in 1954.
2. John Belushi: “I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on”
John Belushi (1949–1982) was a pivotal figure in 1970s and ’80s American comedy. Beginning his career at Second City, he joined Saturday Night Live and gained worldwide recognition for his wild and unpredictable humor. Alongside Dan Aykroyd, he created the Blues Brothers and starred in the cult comedy Animal House.
Belushi was equally known for his reckless lifestyle, which led to his untimely death at 33 from a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont. His tombstone reflects his unapologetic passion for life and music, bearing the words, “I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on.”
1. Mel Blanc: “That’s all, folks!”
Mel Blanc (1908–1989), the mastermind behind iconic voices like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, is celebrated as America’s premier voice-over artist. With over 400 characters to his name, Blanc’s talent emerged during his time co-hosting a radio show in Portland, Oregon, where he ingeniously altered his voice to simulate a larger cast. Over his remarkable 50-year career, he contributed to around 3,000 cartoons, showcasing his extraordinary versatility and dedication.
While Warner Brothers was the primary stage for his work, Blanc also lent his voice to Barney Rubble in the beloved series The Flintstones and multiple roles in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. His parting words to fans, echoing the classic Looney Tunes sign-off, “That’s all, folks!”, serve as a fitting tribute to his legendary career.
