WOW! Thank you! The fundraiser was successful and so QUICKLY! You are all so very kind and generous.
I can't wait until the 28th. I hope you'll be at Valhalla on the 28th at 11am!
xo Scott
This campaign is for a Memorial Plaque at
Elsa Lanchester's Grave
The location of Elsa Lanchester's cremains has never positively known, until now! Since she died, it's been assumed and spoken by many that she was cremated and scattered at sea. Recently it came to my attention that she is in fact already in a cemetery in Los Angeles!
The proposed date for the special unveiling is October 28, 2025,
Elsa Lanchester's 123rd Birthday.
Just in time for Halloween!
Actress Elsa Lanchester was born in Britain and became a star of stage, radio, film and television, becoming a worldwide household name.
As a young woman Elsa enjoyed performing in music hall, theater and cabaret. During her life she recorded three albums devoted to her double entendre Cockney party songs.
In 1929 Elsa married actor Charles Laughton who became a very successful star in the West End and British films, he was wooed to Broadway and eventually Hollywood. Elsa followed along and was happy to work in his shadow, accepting smaller parts in his films. Charles and Elsa became US Citizens in 1950.
Among Laughton's credits are "Mutiny on the Bounty," "Spartacus," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and "The Private Life of Henry VIII," for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor. He was nominated to receive an Academy Award for "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Witness for the Prosecution", and took home the for "The Private Life of Henry Vlll."
Elsa's less-than-seven minute! dual appearance as the "Monster's Mate" and Mary Shelley in the 1935 film "Bride of Frankenstein" is easily one of the most iconic performances in film history, and her hair style (it actually was her real hair set over a wire cone, with additional white streak hairpieces added) has inspired thousands of interpretations.
In 1962, Charles Laughton died of renal carcinoma in their Hollywood home. When the time came, Elsa chose a modest wall crypt for Charles at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
People have wondered why Elsa didn't made arrangements to be in the same crypt as her husband Charles, but it was made clear in her 1987 autobiography that she didn't think much of the cemetery where her husband now rests.
Elsa's career continued to flourish with mostly quirky supporting appearances in films like Mary Poppins, Blackbeard's Ghost, That Darn Cat!, Pajama Party, Willard, Arnold and Murder By Death.
On television she appeared in Night Gallery, Nanny and the Professor, Here's Lucy. Her last appearance on screen was in the 1980 television film Die Laughing starring Robby Benson.
After a long illness, on December 26, 1986 Elsa died of pneumonia in the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California.
The location of her cremains were never positively known. It's been assumed and spoken by many that she was scattered at sea. Recently it came to my attention that Elsa's earthly remains are located in the memorial rose garden at Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood. Public burial records and private cemetery records both verify this as fact.
Only a few feet from the garden is a Memorial Wall with plaques honoring those resting nearby. I have arranged a small (but heartfelt) plaque to be placed on that wall to commemorate Elsa's 123rd birthday just a few days before Halloween 2025. Here is what the marker will look like.
Elsa wasn't concerned with her final disposition. She requested no funeral or fanfare. This cenotaph will be placed roughly 20 feet away. I thought this was a decent compromise so fans around the world can pay their respects.
Say their name out loud and they won't be forgotten.
Please consider a contribution for a small plaque with Elsa's name to be installed at Valhalla Memorial Park.
Updates about the official unveiling will be posted on this page.
The dedication for the entombment of Ken Weatherwax of television's The Addams Family (1964 - 1966)
Past recipients of afterlife acknowledgments include Susan Cabot, Donald "Shorty" Shea, Johnny Arthur, Jonathan Hale, Thelma Pelish, William Anderson, Ken Weatherwax and The Mighty Michu.
Miss Lanchester, thank you for your gifts. To everyone reading this, thank you for your time and for your attention.
Scott Michaels
