Mummified Nun on Display!

 

Odds are you've never heard of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.  No worries, I hadn't either, until a recent trip to New York City.  She'd come to be known as the Patron Saint of Immigrants, but would ultimately be famous for something much macabre.

She was born in Italy on July 15, 1850.  She was the youngest of 13 children and one of only four to survive past adolescence.  As a young girl, she fell into a river and was swept downstream, later attributing her survival to divine intervention. 

After years spent as a teacher and in service to the church, Cabrini came to America in 1889, eventually becoming an American citizen in 1909.  Over the course of her career, she helped open and establish nearly 70 institutions throughout the United States, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages.  Today, there are 41 churches named in her honor throughout the United States as well as six hospitals, one near you. 

By 1917, her health was failing, so she traveled to Chicago to be cared for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.  There, she was diagnosed with chronic endocarditis, which ultimately took her life on December 22nd.  She was 67 years old.

She was initially interred at what is today known as the National Shrine of Saint Frances Cabrini in Chicago.  Her remains were exhumed in 1933 however, when the church began her sainthood campaign. 

As part of the canonization process, her remains were divided up.  Most significantly, her head was removed and sent to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Motherhouse in Rome, where it is currently on display.  The rest of her body was sent to the Saint Frances Cabrini Shrine in Hudson Heights, New York, a quiet residential neighborhood just a few miles from Manhattan.  Today, it remains on permanent display, complete with a fake head.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Mother Cabrini, take a voyage to Amazon.  It's all in books.
  
  
• Mother Cabrini was officially canonized by Pope Pius XI on November 13, 1938, more than 20 years after her death.  She was the first American to be recognized by the Vatican as a saint.
  
  
• In 2020, Colorado officially renamed Columbus Day "Cabrini Day" in her honor.  That same year, Inside Edition took its viewers on a video tour of the shrine.  You can check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• The shrine is a functioning house of worship, where the faithful come to pray and pay their respects on a daily basis.  If you go to visit, please be respectful.
  
  
• The 1989 John Candy film Uncle Buck contains a reference to Mother Cabrini when a drunken clown arrives at a children's birthday party.  Check out this clip on YouTube to see what happened next.

Tallulah Bankhead - Unlikely Bat-Villain

 

"Nobody can be exactly like me.  Even I have trouble doing it."

Tallulah Bankhead was born in Huntsville, Alabama on January 31, 1902.  Her mother died in childbirth, something Tallulah would never forgive herself for.  Her father, a democratic politician, would later serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 1930s.

Like many aspects of her life, Tallulah took an unconventional route to fame and stardom.  At 15 years old, she submitted her photo to Picture Play magazine, in response to a contest seeking new starlets.  She forgot to include her name and address however, and only learned she had won some months later, when the magazine published her photo and asked for the public's help to identify her.  She set off for New York to begin her career, but before leaving, she was warned by her father to avoid alcohol and men.  As a bisexual, she'd later famously quip "he didn't say anything about women and cocaine."

Tallulah made a name for herself on the Broadway stage as well as in films and television.  Over the course of her career, she amassed more than 300 credits, including an Academy Award-winning performance in Alfred Hitchcock's 1944 film Lifeboat.  Her last credited role is the one that this blogger knows best - that of arch villain Black Widow on the 1960s Adam West Batman TV series.

By this time, she was already feeling the effects that a lifetime of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes were having on her health.  By the end of 1968, she was being treated for pleural double pneumonia, which ultimately took her life on December 12th.  She was just 66 years old.  Reportedly, her final words were a request for bourbon and codeine.

Tallulah Bankhead was laid to rest on the grounds of St. Paul's Church in Chestertown, Maryland, near the Eastern Shore.  While she never personally lived in that community, it was the home of her sister Evelyn, who saw to her final arrangements.  When Evelyn herself passed away in 1979, she was laid to rest next to her sister.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Tallulah Bankhead, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• Tallulah was named after her paternal grandmother, who was herself named after the community of Tallulah Falls, Georgia.
  
  
• An advocate of civil rights. Tallulah was the first Caucasian woman to appear on the cover of Ebony magazine.
  
  
• Tennessee Williams wrote a number of characters for Tallulah in his plays, the most famous being Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.
  
  
• Tallulah is referred to in the 1958 Blossom Dearie song "Give Him the Ooh-La-La."  Take a listen on YouTube.

Chris Kyle - American Sniper

 

"I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the vets."

Christopher Scott Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas on April 8, 1974.  He was the oldest of two sons, receiving his first firearm from his father, a Sunday school teacher, when he was just eight years old.  He'd often go deer hunting with his father and brother, but it was evident from an early age just who was top shot in the Kyle family.

After high school and a brief career with the rodeo, Kyle decided to serve his country.  He was initially intent on joining the Marines, but as the recruiter had stepped out to lunch that afternoon, he joined the Navy Seals instead.

Kyle's proficiency with firearms landed him on SEAL Team 3, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Today, the Navy credits him with more than 160 confirmed kills.  He was honorably discharged in 2009, and went on to write a best-selling novel, American Sniper, detailing his experiences.  The film was later turned into a motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper in the title role.

While Kyle was heavily involved in the production, he would never see the finished film.  On February 2, 2013, he and friend Chad Littlefield were both shot and killed by Ray Routh, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran, while the three were at a Texas shooting range.  With a history of schizophrenia and mental evaluations, Routh would later claim he killed the two since they were both ignoring him.

On February 11th, a memorial service was conducted at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.  It was followed by a funeral procession the next day, which traveled more than 200 miles to Austin, where Kyle was laid to rest at Texas State Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• You can pick up your copy of American Sniper on Amazon.
  
  
• If you go to pay your respects, watch yourself.  The cemetery is in a very sketchy neighborhood.
  
  
• In 2012, Kyle stopped by Conan O'Brien's TBS talk show to promote the book's release.  You can watch the interview on YouTube.
  
  
• In 2006, Kyle boasted that he had punched out Jesse Ventura after the former made derogatory remarks about the military.  Ventura denied the incident and sued Kyle for defamation, a legal battle that ended with a settlement five years after Kyle's death.  Ventura, dubbing Kyle an "American Liar," received an undisclosed amount from Kyle's estate.
  
  
• A fan of the 1980s GI Joe cartoon series, Kyle dubbed his military vehicles after two of its more famous characters - Duke and Snake Eyes.  Yo Joe!

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

 

Marie Catherine Laveau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 10, 1801, at a time when that future state was still under Spanish rule.  While slavery was still the law, she was born a free woman of color to her unwed mother Marguerite.  The identity of her father has never been conclusively confirmed, but many historians point to a local politician named Charles Laveau.

Today, Laveau is a folk figure known for her practice of the occult.  What is often forgotten is that she was also a shrewd businesswoman.  She owned a beauty parlor, catering to the elite and upper class of society, many of whom felt free to gossip while in her care.  Laveau would later use the information she'd overheard to enhance her reputation as a clairvoyant.  

She became a celebrated voodoo practitioner with three locations throughout the Big Easy.  Like the Miss Cleo commercials that would come two centuries later, Laveau's clients wanted help with their families, their finances, and their love lives.  She was so popular that she was named the third female leader of voodoo in New Orleans, a less-than official office granting her the titles of Queen and Priestess.

Marie Laveau died on June 15, 1881, at the age of 79.  She was entombed in Saint Louis Cemetery #1 just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans, ensuring that she would not return as a zombie.  Legend tells that if you draw three Xs on the tomb and leave an offering, your wish will be granted.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Marie Laveau, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• In 1974, country singer Bobby Bare released his single Marie Laveau, a tribute to the Voodoo Queen.  It was an overnight success, reaching the top spot on the Billboard country chart.  Take a listen on YouTube.
  
  
• A number of documentaries on voodoo and Marie Laveau have been produced over the years, including the History Channel's The Truth of Voodoo Revealed, hosted by Leaonard Nimoy.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Not only is Laveau's grave a tourist attraction in New Orleans, but her house is as well - sort of.  The original structure was torn down in 1903, but today, the house built on its foundation welcomes visitors and their wallets for guided tours.  Interested?  Visit Ghost City Tours for more information.
  
  
• Although a free woman of color herself, Laveau owned many slaves.
  
  
• Vlogger Jacob the Carpetbagger toured the cemetery and Laveau's grave in 2018.  Check out his video on YouTube.
  
  
• While this blogger has visited hundreds of graves throughout the United States, this is the only one that charged an admission fee.  Saint Louis Cemetery is by guided tour only.

Dom DeLuise - Captain Chaos!

 

"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting."

Dom DeLuise is known for many roles, but for my generation, he will always be Captain Chaos, aka Victor Prinzim, from the Cannonball Run movies.  In fact, until I wrote this blog, I had completely forgotten the character's real name.

He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on August 1, 1933.  He later graduated from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a degree in biology, most say to please his father, a garbageman, but Dom had his sights set on Hollywood.

He got his start working in children's television in the New York City area, taking over the role of Tinker the Toymaker on Tinker's Workshop, a role vacated by future Captain Kangaroo star Bob Keeshan. 

From there, he moved on to the New York theatre scene, appearing in a number of off-Broadway productions, including All in Love and Around the World in 80 Days before taking on the Great White Way in such productions as Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

In 1981, Dom was cast with longtime friend Burt Reynolds in the first Cannonball Run movie.  It was a box-office success, which guaranteed the 1984 sequel.  Dom would also appear with Reynolds in several other films as well, including Smokey and the Bandit Part 2 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and an often-forgotten film about suicide called The End (1978).

In 2008, Dom was diagnosed with cancer.  It ultimately took his life just one year later on May 4, 2009, while Dom was sound asleep.  He was 75 years old.

Dom was cremated.  His ashes were laid to rest in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery just outside New York City.

Rest in peace, Captain.

Trivia

• Dom was a prolific author, who released a number of cookbooks (go figure) as well as a series of children's books.  Check out his library on Amazon.
  
  
• Dom was a prolific voice-over artist as well, appearing in such film as All Dogs go to Heaven (1989).  For the VHS release of the film, Dom appeared in a special segment as himself for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend of The Who have recorded a song called After the Fire.  Both versions reference Dom.  Take a listen on YouTube - Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.
  
  
• Dom worked with all three of his sons on a number of TV series, including Stargate SG-1, SeaQuest 2032, and Third Rock From the Sun, as well as the 1979 film Hot Stuff.
  
  
• Dom spoofed The Godfather in two films - Cannonball Run II (1984) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1991).
  

Brittany Murphy

 

"I would like to be very, very, very, very old.  With all the technology we are inventing and what they are coming up with scientifically, people are having longer lifetimes."

Brittany Anne Murphy was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 10, 1977.  By the time she was just three years old, her parents had already divorced and her father, a member of the Italian mafia, was on his way to prison.  Brittany and her mom soon relocated to Edison, New Jersey.

By the time she was a teenager, Murphy was already intent on becoming an actress.  Her mother encouraged the dream by relocating the family to Hollywood.  It proved to be a smart bet, as Murphy quickly found work.  Her first role was in this flashback sequence on the hit comedy Murphy Brown. 

From there, she joined the cast of the FOX sit-com Drexell's Class, playing the daughter of series lead Dabney Coleman. Here's a cute clip on YouTube.  Her breakthrough role however, was in the 1995 film Clueless, playing transfer student Tai Frasier.  It was a box office success, earning $88 million worldwide and projecting Murphy to superstar status.

In 2006, Murphy began dating British screenwriter Simon Monjack.  Friends and family became increasingly distrustful of him and were often cautioning Murphy about the relationship.  She went ahead and married him anyway however, in a private ceremony in 2007.  The couple, joined by Murphy's mother, then moved into a Beverly Hills mansion formerly owned by Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake.  

On the morning of December 20, 2009, paramedics were called to the mansion after Murphy was found unconscious on a bathroom floor.  She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where she passed away following a cardiac arrest.  She was just 32 years old. 

On Christmas Eve, she was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.  The Associated Press filed this report from the cemetery. 

An autopsy cited a number of factors contributing to her death, including pneumonia, anemia, and drug intoxication.  Monjack and Murphy's mother publicly contested the autopsy, re-iterating that Murphy had never been a known drug user.  Then, just five months later, Monjack was also found dead in the home.  Amazingly, his death was also attributed to pneumonia and anemia, leading some to speculate that the house was full of toxic mold.  It remains a subject of great debate to this day.

Rest in peace.  As if!

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Brittany Murphy, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• Four years after her death, independent lab tests funded by her father discovered the presence of ten heavy metals at levels deemed unsafe by the World Health Organization.
  
  
• Murphy was a talented singer as well.  In the 1990s, she collaborated with fellow actor Eric Balfour and launched the band Blessed With Soul.  You can check out her video for Faster Kill Pussycat on YouTube.
  
  
• Speaking of videos, in 2004, MTV followed Murphy to a Blockbuster video store in Manhattan, where she treated viewers to her movie picks, on VHS no less.  What did she recommend?  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Murphy was a devout Christian and patriot, who visited our troops in both Baghdad and Kuwait during the War on Terror. 

Chris Farley

 

"I want to live fast and die young."

Christopher Crosby Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 15, 1964.  He was one of five children born to Thomas John Farley, Sr., owner of an oil company, and Mary Anne, a homemaker.

In 1986, he graduated from Marquette University in Michigan with a double major in communications and theatre.  While there, he honed his talent for comedy, making his way to Chicago's Second City Theatre following graduation.

In 1990, he began a five-year stint on Saturday Night Live (SNL), along with other newcomers Adam Sandler, Tim Meadows, and David Spade.  His most famous recurring character during this time was that of motivational speaker Matt Foley, who often reminded viewers that he "lived in a van down by the river."  He also formed an intense bond with Spade, which would lead to them making a series of films together.  Along with Sandler, Farley fired from SNL in 1995.

In late December 1997, Farley was entertaining a hooker in his apartment at the John Hancock Center in Chicago.  The two imbibed on one of Farley's oft-joked about subjects, cocaine and heroin.  An accidental overdoes would lead to his death at the young age of 33.  He was eventually found by his brother John on December 18th.

A private funeral was held in Madison on December 23rd.  More than 500 people attended, including former castmates Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, George Wendt and more.  Noticeably absent was his best friend Spade, who later recalled that it would have been too emotionally overwhelming.  Farley was then entombed in the main mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• Following his death, Heidi the Hooker sold photos of Farley's dead body to the Globe tabloid, which naturally published them.  This blogger has seen them, as they are easily searchable on the internet.
  
  
• Twelve years after Farley's passing, his older brother Tom decided to cash in by publishing The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts.  You can pick up a copy from Amazon.
  
  
• Farley was cast as the title character in the 2001 animated hit Shrek and even recorded dialogue for the film.  After his untimely passing however, the role was re-assigned to his SNL castmate, Mike Myers.  Test footage does survive however, including this version on YouTube.
  
  
• At the time of his death, Farley's next-door neighbor was talk show host and disgraced former mayor Jerry Springer.
  
  
• As a tribute to the comedian, the Red Hot Chili Peppers included the lyric "Farley is an angel and I can prove this" on their single Purple Stain.  You can hear it for yourself on YouTube.
  
  
• Farley often appeared as former House speaker Newt Gingrich on SNL.  Following the former's first 100 days in that role, Farley played the part live at a meeting on Capitol Hill.  C-SPAN covered the event, which you can watch on YouTube.

The Babe!

"The only game, I think, in the world is baseball."

George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 6, 1895.  He was the son of German immigrants and one of only two siblings (out of seven) to survive past infancy.

Though much of his childhood remains a mystery, it is believed that his interest in baseball first began while as a student at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys.  There, he was mentored by Brother Matthias Boutlier, himself a skilled baseball player.

When Ruth was 19, he began his career with the Baltimore Orioles.  It was here that he earned his nickname, due to both his young appearance and his almost familial relationship with team owner, Jack Dunn.  He was later sold to the Boston Red Sox, where he had a well-earned reputation as an outstanding pitcher.

In 1920, Ruth was sold again, this time to the New York Yankees.  Over the next 15 years, he'd help them win seven American League pennants and four World Series.  By the time he retired in 1935, he'd achieved 714 home runs in his big-league career, a record that would stand until 1974, when Hank Aaron scored 715.

By 1946, Ruth was experiencing the early symptoms of cancer.  He'd continue traveling the country however, doing promotional work for the Ford Motor Company.  He also collaborated on his autobiography The Babe Ruth Story.  During one of his final public appearances, he donated a copy of the yet-unpublished manuscript to Yale University.  There, he met the captain of the baseball team, future President George H.W, Bush.

Babe Ruth passed away on August 16th, 1948, at the age of 53.  He was laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Babe Ruth, take a voyage to Amazon.  It's all in books.
  
  
• The eulogy that appears on Ruth's marker (shown above) was delivered by Cardinal Francis Spellman, who served as Archbishop of New York and officiated at the funeral.
  
  
• The Babe had a tendency to call each of his teammates "kid."  It wasn't a term of endearment; rather, he could never remember their names.
  
  
• The Babe's father once owned a pub in downtown Baltimore.  The neighborhood was later redeveloped and turned into Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.  It is said that the pub was located at what is now center field.
  
  
• Camden Yards also includes a tribute to the Babe in the form of a statue.  Unfortunately, it incorrectly portrays him as a right-hander.  The Babe was a lefty.

Buried in a Pringles Can?

 

Fred Baur is not exactly a household name, but the product he created certainly is. At some point in your life, you've probably had Pringles, the uniquely shaped stackable potato chip he created for Procter and Gamble in 1966.  Five years later, he received a patent for the tubular can that would help make the chips a household name.  It would also play a pivotal role in his demise.

Baur was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 14, 1918.  He received his master's degree from Ohio State University, then did a tour with the Navy during World War 2.  After the service, he returned to Ohio and began a career as an organic chemist and food storage scientist.  

Baur died of Alzheimer's disease on May 4, 2008.  He was 89 years old.  For many, that would have been the end of the story, were it not for the unique final arrangements he had requested in the days leading up to his death.

Baur was cremated, and his ashes were divided into thirds.  The first set was given to his grandchildren.  The remaining two sets were buried at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Mount Healthy, Ohio, just twenty minutes outside Cincinnati.  Two separate containers were used - a traditional urn and a standard Pringles can.  Baur had requested that a portion of his remains be interred with the product he had given to the world.  

Artist's rendition.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• This blogger has been to known to consume an entire can of Pringles in one sitting.  Favorite flavors include original, Buffalo Ranch, Sour Cream and Onion, and Honey Mustard.
  
  
• In addition to developing Pringles and its packaging, Baur created frying oils and freeze-dried ice cream.
  
  
• In 2012, Kellogg's acquired Pringles from Procter and Gamble for the tidy sum of $2.7 billion.
  
  
• There are a number of YouTube videos regarding Baur, Pringles, and the grave.  Unfortunately, they all suck.  Here's one that sucks less than the rest.  

Wayland Flowers....and Madame?

 

"This was an underground act that took root and shot up out of nowhere."

If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, you probably remember Wayland Flowers and Madame for their regular appearances on Hollywood Squares.  While many would agree that Madame was the brains of the act, most of the credit goes to Wayland himself.

He was born in Dawson, Georgia on November 26, 1939.  A few years later, his father was killed in World War 2, and Flowers was raised in a devoutly religious all-female household.  After college, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, before eventually settling in New York City, having become enamored with the Broadway stage. 

In 1964, Flowers landed a job as a puppeteer for the New York World's Fair.  There is some historical debate as to whether this was his first involvement with the world of puppets, but it would ultimately provide the inspiration for the character of Madame. 

Recognizing Flowers' affection for a Wicked Witch of the West puppet, his boss gave it to him, which he soon transformed into the first version of the Madame puppet.  Her feisty personality would come later, after Flowers overheard an elderly Ziegfeld Follies girl become irate with an abusive bartender.  Believe it or Not!

The duo would spend the next twenty years appearing in sold-out live performances and on a host of television shows.  From 1981 to 1984, they were regular co-hosts on the syndicated musical countdown series Solid Gold, often providing some much-needed comic relief.  Check out these clips with generous co-host Marilyn McCoo.  The team would even have their own short-lived series called Madame's Place, which aired for one season in 1982.  Co-stars included Judy Landers and a then-unknown Corey Feldman.

In September 1987, Flowers was diagnosed with HIV.  A little over one year later, he collapsed on stage wile performing at Lake Tahoe.  After a brief hospitalization, he visited with friends and family in Georgia, before retiring to a Los Angeles area hospice to live out his final days.  He ultimately passed away on October 11, 1988.  He was just 48 years old. 

Wayland Flowers was cremated and his ashes were returned to Dawson, Georgia.  He was laid to rest in the family plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• In 1983, the duo released a scandalous, tell-all autobiography to generally positive reviews.  You can pick up a copy of Madame: My Misbegotten Memoirs, from Amazon.
  
  
• Following his death, the Star tabloid incorrectly reported that Madame was buried with Flowers, an urban legend that persists to this day.  In fact, the Madame puppets (there were multiple) were bequeathed to friends and family members.
  
  
• Flowers left part of his estate to the Hughes House, the L.A. hospice where he'd spent his final days.  It was later renamed the Wayland Flowers House, but it ultimately closed just a few months after his passing.
  
  
• It might shock fans of Hollywood Squares to know that Wayland Flowers and Madame was a stage show for adults only.  Flowers insisted that no one under 18 be admitted to a live performance.
  
  
• As Madame, Flowers would often state that Jim Henson and his team had been inspired by the duo in the creation and performance of Muppets star Miss Piggy.  This blogger definitely sees the resemblance. 

The Duchess Anastasia - Buried in Virginia?

 

Most famous graves are fairly cut and dry.  A celebrity dies, they're laid to rest, and I tell you where to go.  Sometimes however, there's a little bit of a mystery involved, like the space alien buried in Texas, or TV's Mr. Ed, who was laid to rest in an Oklahoma farmer's backyard.  Such is the case with this week's subject, Grand Duchess Anastasia.

In case you were asleep during high school history, Anastasia was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas of Russia.  In 1918, the entire family was murdered during a Bolshevik revolt, but it was the beginning of a mystery that would last for nearly a century.

In 1922, a woman who would be known as Anna Anderson made her first public claims to be the surviving Anastasia.  She told a tale of being secreted away after the attack and spending the intervening years in seclusion.  Much of that time was spent in a mental hospital in Berlin. 

When she first went public, she received equal parts criticism and support.  Most significantly, surviving members of the family would claim emphatically that she was not who she claimed to be.  Over the next forty years, Anderson would often find herself in a courtroom, attempting to prove her claim, which she was never able to do.

In 1968, Anderson received a six-month visa to the United States.  Her trip was paid for by Jack Manahan, a history professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  Just as the visa was set to expire, the two were married in a simple ceremony, becoming well-known local eccentrics.  Manahan, who was 20 years her junior, was now referring to himself as the "Grand Duke-in-Waiting" as well as a son-in-law to the Tsar.  Their story was even profiled on that great 70s documentary series In Search Of, hosted by Leonard Nimoy.

By 1983, Anderson's health was in serious decline.  That November, she was institutionalized once again and given a court-appointed legal guardian.  It didn't sit well with Manahan however, who checked her out just a few days later.  The couple would spend the next three days on the run, living out of area convenience stores.  She was returned to the healthcare facility, where she died of pneumonia of February 12, 1984.  She was cremated, and her ashes were buried in Germany.

In failing health himself, Manahan bought a plot at the University of Virginia Cemetery in Charlottesville.  He ordered a headstone for both he and his wife, whom he forever immortalized as "Anastasia."  

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• Manahan eventually passed away on March 22, 1990.  He was 70 years old.
  
  
• In 1991, DNA testing was conducted on the bodies of the Royal family.  It was compared to DNA samples of Anderson, taken from a 1979 medical procedure.  It determined conclusively that she was in fact, not Anastasia.  Her true name was Franziska Schanzkowska, a Polish factory worker with a history of mental illness.
  
  
• A number of books have been written about the troubled life of Anna Anderson.  Check out this selection from Amazon. 
  
  
• Anna Anderson's story has also been chronicled by other documentaries as well, including Unsolved Mysteries and Chicken Soup for the Soul.  The couple also sat down with local Charlottesville station WSLS for this interview in 1968 (no audio).

The Lost Grave of Andy Williams

 

"I still don't think I'm as good as anyone else."

Every now and then in my research, I come across a grave so unique that it immediately piques my interest.  Such was the case with Andy Williams, a famed singer I had certainly heard of, but knew very little about.  When I discovered the sad story of his final resting place in Branson, Missouri, I knew I had to go there to see it for myself.

Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams was born in Wall Lake, Iowa, on December 3, 1927. When he was just 16 years old, he moved with his three older brothers to Los Angeles, having formed the Williams Brothers Quartet.  Their act caught the attention of Bing Crosby, who put them on his 1944 album Swinging on a Star.

Williams went solo in 1953 and enjoyed a long and prosperous career.  He recorded his signature song Moon River in 1962, having been asked to perform it at the Academy Awards.  Although it had been recorded by Audrey Hepburn one year earlier for her feature film Breakfast at Tiffany's, the ballad would forever be associated with Williams.

In 1991, older brother Don invited Williams to Branson, Missouri, an up-and-coming tourist mecca in the Ozark Mountains.  There, he was encouraged by locals to open his own theatre and he did just that.  The Moon River Theatre officially opened on May 1, 1992.  It was the first non-country and western attraction to open in the predominantly rural setting.

Williams appeared regularly at theatre for the next 20 years, often joined by fellow crooners, including Glen Campbell, Ann-Margret, and 70s icon Charo.  It was from this venue where he announced in 2011 that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer.  It ultimately took his life just one year later, on September 25, 2012.  He was 84 years old.

In keeping with his last request, Williams was cremated, and his ashes were sprinkled on Moon River itself, an artificial pond located on the property.

The pond as it appears in 2025.

The theatre's final curtain call came just a few years after Williams passed away.  The property was sold in 2021 and is currently being redeveloped as the Truth Traveler Theatre, a Bible-based attraction offering a 5D virtual reality ride, one that promises to "bring the Bible to life."

When this blogger visited the site in February 2025, it was in a state of redevelopment.  The Andy Williams signage has been removed, but the building's recognizable mountainesque facade remains.  The future of the pond is unclear.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• In 2009, Williams released his autobiography Moon River and Me: A Memoir.  Pick up a copy on Amazon.
  
  
• Want to see video of his watery grave?  Scott Michaels, who runs the fantastic Dearly Departed website, took viewers on a tour in 2022.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• A popular urban legend tells that Williams overdubbed the singing voice of Lauren Bacall in the 1944 film To Have and Have Not.  Sources including Bacall herself claimed that this was not the case.  Take a listen on YouTube and judge for yourself.
  
  
• The theatre appeared, kind of, in a 1996 episode of The Simpsons.  Check out this clip on YouTube.
  
  
• While in Branson, be sure to visit the Ripley's Believe it or Not! Odditorium, home to the world's largest roll of toilet paper (4,000 pounds).
  
  

Eileen Brennan

 

"Actors are crazy or we wouldn't be doing this."

Eileen Brennan was born Verla Eileen Regina Brennen in Los Angeles, California on September 3, 1932.  She was the daughter of Regina Menehan, a former silent film actress.  

After graduating high school, Brennan moved to Washington, DC, where she attended Georgetown University.  She later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City (see Trivia below).

Early stage roles included that of Annie Sullivan in a 1961 off-Broadway production of The Miracle Worker.  She also originated the role of Irene Molloy in the original 1964 Broadway production of Hello, Dolly!.  Hollywood was beginning to notice, and she made her feature film debut three years later in the Bud Yorkin comedy Divorce American Style.

In 1980, Brennan was cast in the role for which she is most famously associated, that of Captain Doreen Lewis in the Goldie Hawn film Private Benjamin.  She was nominated for an Oscar award that year for Best Supporting Actress.  In 1981, she resumed the role on the ABC sit-com adaptation of the film, for which she would ironically win an Emmy award (see Trivia below).  Then in 1985, she appeared in the cult-favorite comedy Clue, taking on then iconic role of Mrs. Peacock.

By 2013, Brennan has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, which ultimately took her life on July 28th.  She was 80 years old.  She was laid to rest with her family at Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town, West Virginia.  As of 2024, her grave remained unmarked, but is in the lower right-hand corner of the photo below.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• When Eileen adopted her stage name, she changed the spelling of her last name from "Brennen" to "Brennan."
  
  
• Brennan was a finalist for the role of Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show, the role that famously went to Mary Tyler Moore.
  
  
• Early in her career, Brennan shared an apartment in New York City with future Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan.
  
  
• In 1981, Brennan reprised her role of Captain Lewis in the ABC sit-com adaptation of Private Benjamin.  One year into production, she was involved in a serious car accident in Venice Beach, which resulted in her leaving the show.  She was replaced on the series by former Alice veteran Polly Holliday, but the ratings would never be the same.  The series was canceled after two seasons.
  
  
• Shortly before she passed, YouTuber Larry Hoffman caught up with Brennan at her Toluca Lake home.  The result was this truly awkward interview.  Here's another one in which she discusses selling her Emmy Award when she ran out of money.  These are just sad.
  
  
• Based on the board game of the same name, Clue was released as a novelty film with three different endings.  To quote the commercial, "whodunnit depends on where you see it."  This blogger vividly remembers seeing "Ending A," which appears as the final solution in the home video and streaming editions of the film.

Jack Kent Cooke

 

"I don't intend to die."

Jack Kent Cooke was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on October 25, 1912. His family later relocated to Toronto, where Cooke attended Malvern Collegiate Institute.  He had an eye for business from an early age, and by 14, he was already selling encyclopedia door to door.

When he was in his early 20s, Cooke became a runner on the floor of the Toronto Stock Exchange, which served to enhance his business acumen.  He then went to work for Colgate-Palmolive, where he met his future business partner Roy Thomson.  The two would later co-own a series of radio stations and newspapers in Quebec and Ontario.

With his eye on the sports world, Cooke came to America in 1950, later becoming a legal American citizen.  Ten years later, he acquired 25 percent interest in the Washington Redskins, a football franchise he would become associated with for the rest of his life.  By 1985, he was sole owner of the team.  During his tenure, they'd win the Super Bowl an impressive three times.  During this time, Cooke also owned the Los Angeles Lakers (basketball) and the Los Angeles Kings (hockey).

Jack Kent Cooke died of congestive heart failure on April 6, 1997.  He was 84 years old.  He was laid to rest at Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in Uppperville, Virginia, about an hour outside of Washington, DC.  The service was attended by more than 400 local dignitaries and sports figures.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Jack Kent Cooke, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• Upon his death, the Redskins franchise was sold to businessman Daniel Snyder.  Under his ownership, the team would experience three decades of loss.  Despite years of Cooke saying otherwise, Schneider ultimately changed their name to the Washington Commanders in 2022.
  
  
• Cooke was married an astounding five times to four women, remarrying wife #4 Marlene Ramallo Chalmers.  It was a scandalous marriage that brought headlines of infidelity on a near daily basis, as the younger Mrs. Cooke was known to have a host a male paramours at the ready.  Despite this, Cooke remained married to her until his death.
  
  
• The majority of Cooke's estate, valued at $825 million, helped establish the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, an organization that offers scholarships to help the young reach their maximum potential.  He left both Ramallo and wife #2 out of his will, but the former successfully sued the estate for a reported $20 million.
  
  
• Cooke's first divorce was presided over by a then unknown judge by the name of Joseph Wapner.  Years later, he would become a household name as star of The People's Court, and his grave would be profiled by this blog.

Elly May!

 

"This has been a Filmways presentation!"

Donna Douglas was born Doris Ione Smith in Pride, Louisiana on September 26, 1932.  She was the youngest of Emmett and Elma's two children and had show business aspirations from an early age.  In 1957, she was named both Miss Baton Rouge and Miss New Orleans.

She moved to New York to pursue an acting career and soon found work as a model in a series of toothpaste advertisements.  That led to her being cast in small roles on both The Perry Como Show and The Steve Allen Show in small, recurring roles.  These and other parts earned her a role in the Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine feature Career (1959).  The following year, she'd make a memorable appearance in the classic Twilight Zone episode Eye of the Beholder.

In 1962, Donna was cast in the role for which she is most famously identified, that of Elly May Clampett on the CBS sit-com The Beverly Hillbillies.  The series ran for nine seasons and made household names of Donna and her co-stars.

When the series was canceled in 1971, Donna remained active in Hollywood, while pursuing other career opportunities as well (see Trivia below).  She would also continue to make public appearances as Elly May, raising money on telethons, serving as grand marshal in parades, or signing autographs at celebrity conventions.

In 2005, Donna returned to her hometown in East Baton Rouge, where she would spend her final years.  By 2014, she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which ultimately took her life on January 1, 2015.  She was 82 years old.

Donna is buried at Bluff Creek Community Cemetery in Bluff Creek, Louisiana.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• Donna had a second career as a gospel singer and released several such albums, the first being Donna Douglas Sings Gospel, released in 1982.  Take a listen on YouTube, then pick up a copy on Amazon.
  
  
• Donna was also a published author, releasing two children's books and a cookbook, the latter of which contains recipes from some of her show business friends, including Buddy Ebsen, Debbie Reynolds, Gavin MacLeod and more.  You can pick up a copy of Southern Favorites with a Taste of Hollywood on Amazon.
  
  
• When production on the series concluded in 1971, Donna earned her real-estate license in Beverly Hills.  She didn't stay in the profession for long however, as she remained active in Hollywood.
  
  
• In 1993, Donna reunited with her Beverly Hillbillies co-stars Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer for an episode of The Jerry Springer Show, at a time when the talk show was still relatively legit.  Curious?  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• In 2011, Donna successfully sued Mattel Toys claiming they had appropriated her name and likeness for a Barbie doll without her approval.  You can buy one on Amazon.
  
  
• The grave of Donna's co-star Nancy Kulp, who played Miss Jane Hathaway on the series, has also been profiled by this blog.  Click here for the September 2023 report.