The "Man with an Eternal Smile" lies interred -- face-down -- above Marilyn Monroe's crypt. Two online attempts in 2009 by the man's widow to sell the marble crypt space -- then move him out of the way -- have failed.
Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery
- Address:
- 1218 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA
- Directions:
- Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery. Enter on Wilshire Blvd at Glendon Ave. Look for sign between two tall buildings on this short block. Looks like you are going into a parking garage, but turn right into cemetery.
- Hours:
- Gates open daily 8-dusk (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 310-474-1579
- Admission:
- Free.
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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Buried Face-Down Above Marilyn Monroe
Very hard to find. The address is right -- look for the sign between 2 tall buildings on this short block. Looks like you are going into a parking garage, but turn right into the cemetery.
[Kim, 04/27/2010]
Buried Face-Down Above Marilyn Monroe
The "Man with an Eternal Smile?"
Joe DiMaggio had purchased two crypts in Westwood Cemetery for he and his famous wife, and while divorcing in 1954 sold his to Richard Poncher. The crypt Poncher bought was located directly above that which would eventually hold the remains of Marilyn Monroe (in 1962). Nearing death in 1986, Poncher told his wife "... if you don't put me upside down over Marilyn, I'll haunt you the rest of your life." Shortly before he was interred, his wife instructed the funeral director to place him upside down in his casket, which he did.
Recently Mrs. Poncher has decided to sell the crypt and move her husband to another site. The crypt is going to be listed on Ebay and the starting bid will be $500,000.
[Phil Pasquini, 08/18/2009]
Phil updated us that bidding on eBay was already over $4.5 million. Note: Hugh Hefner had long ago reserved the spot next to Marilyn.
Nearby Offbeat Places
Crypt of Marilyn Monroe, Los Angeles, CA - < 1 mi.
Pierce Brothers Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles, CA - < 1 mi.
The Bad News Bears Field, Los Angeles, CA - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Dry Concrete Riverbed: As Seen in the Movies, Los Angeles, CA - 12 mi.
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As an avid enthusiast with a profound understanding of unusual burial practices and cemetery lore, let me delve into the intriguing story of the "Man with an Eternal Smile" lying interred face-down above Marilyn Monroe's crypt at Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles.
The narrative unfolds in the mid-20th century when baseball legend Joe DiMaggio purchased two crypts in Westwood Cemetery for himself and his then-wife, the iconic Marilyn Monroe. However, their marriage took a turn, leading to a divorce in 1954. In an unexpected twist, Joe DiMaggio sold his crypt to Richard Poncher. This crypt happened to be located directly above the one destined to hold the remains of Marilyn Monroe after her passing in 1962.
Fast forward to 1986, nearing his death, Richard Poncher made an unusual request to his wife: he wanted to be buried face-down above Marilyn Monroe. His exact words were, "...if you don't put me upside down over Marilyn, I'll haunt you the rest of your life." True to his wish, shortly before his interment, his wife instructed the funeral director to place him upside down in his casket, and it was done.
The curiosity surrounding this unconventional burial gained momentum in 2009 when Mrs. Poncher, the widow, decided to sell the crypt and relocate her husband. Two attempts to sell the marble crypt space on eBay in 2009 proved unsuccessful. The starting bid was set at $500,000, but bidding had already surpassed $4.5 million, as reported by Phil Pasquini. It's worth noting that Hugh Hefner had previously reserved the spot next to Marilyn Monroe.
For those interested in visiting this peculiar site, Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery is located at 1218 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA. Access is through Wilshire Blvd at Glendon Ave., and despite its unassuming appearance, it is not a parking garage but a cemetery. The gates are open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk, but it's advisable to call and verify, as local health policies may impact hours and access. The cemetery's phone number is 310-474-1579, and admission is free.
In summary, the "Man with an Eternal Smile" above Marilyn Monroe's crypt adds a fascinating layer to the lore of Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery, showcasing the quirks and stories that can be found within the burial grounds of notable figures.
