Hollywood is home to some truly larger-than-life personalities, and for many stars, the desire to make a statement doesn’t end with life. When it comes to their final goodbyes, some celebrities choose tombstones and epitaphs that are as quirky, humorous, or uniquely personal as they were. These aren’t your average solemn memorials; they’re final punchlines, heartfelt messages, or just plain weird statements. Let’s take a look at ten of the most unusual celebrity tombstones that keep their unique spirits alive.
10. Penn & Teller: “Is this your card?”
Perhaps the most unusual entry on our list is for a duo who aren’t even deceased! The legendary magic and comedy pair, Penn & Teller, have already commissioned their tombstone, ready for the inevitable. Performing together for over 45 years, they journeyed from Philadelphia street corners to Broadway stardom.
With numerous award nominations and memorable appearances on shows like The Simpsons, Friends, and Modern Family, their mark on entertainment is undeniable. Their chosen epitaph, “Is this your card?”, is a perfect nod to their celebrated flair for illusion and clever misdirection. It’s just too bad their magical abilities don’t include predicting their own departure dates — that would be a trick for the ages!
9. Leslie Nielsen: “Let’ er rip”
The lovable funnyman Leslie Nielsen (1926–2010) is best known for his role as Detective Frank Drebin in the Police Squad! TV series and The Naked Gun movies. Interestingly, this Canadian-born actor began his career in dramatic films, starring in titles like Forbidden Planet and The Poseidon Adventure, before masterfully shifting to comedy.
After his unforgettable performance in Airplane!, Nielsen’s comedic career soared. He went on to star in films like Dracula: Dead and Loving It and the Scary Movie franchise. Nielsen had a well-known love for toilet humor, making his tombstone inscription, “Let’ er rip,” a perfectly fitting tribute to his talent for slapstick comedy.
8. Rodney Dangerfield: “There goes the neighborhood”
With his iconic catchphrase, “I don’t get no respect!” Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004) cemented himself as one of the greatest comedians of his time. Hailing from New York, Dangerfield worked tirelessly as a stand-up comic for years before becoming a regular favorite on late-night talk shows. He starred in a series of hit movies during the 1980s, including Caddyshack, Easy Money, and Back to School.
As the undisputed “King of the Zingers,” it’s only appropriate that his final message to the world is the hilarious quip, “There goes the neighborhood.” This implies, in true Dangerfield fashion, that his presence in the cemetery might just lower property values. A comedian to the very end!
7. Bette Davis: “She did it the hard way”
Often hailed as one of the greatest actresses ever and sometimes called the “Fifth Warner Brother,” Bette Davis (1908–1989) was a monumental star of Hollywood’s Golden Age. A proud New Englander, Davis was known for her insistence on authentic and often unglamorous performances that deeply connected with audiences. She starred in timeless classics like Jezebel, All About Eve, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Davis was also known for her meticulous attention to detail, a trait that could make things challenging for her co-stars. Her dedication to perfection was legendary. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that her enduring legacy is summed up by the powerfully accurate line on her tombstone: “She did it the hard way.”
6. Joan Hackett: “Go away—I’m asleep”
Next up is the talented actress Joan Hackett (1934–1983), widely recognized for her role in the 1981 film Only When I Laugh. This performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win. Despite being a high school dropout, Hackett rose to become one of her generation’s most acclaimed theater actresses, eventually catching Hollywood’s eye. She made appearances on popular TV shows like The Twilight Zone, The Defenders, and The Love Boat.
Tragically, Hackett passed away from ovarian cancer at the young age of 49. She was laid to rest in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. After such a dynamic career, her epitaph offers a fittingly direct and slightly humorous request: “Go away – I’m asleep.”
5. Billy Wilder: “I’m a writer but then nobody’s perfect”
Billy Wilder (1906–2002) was the brilliant mind behind Hollywood masterpieces such as Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, and The Apartment. This Austrian-American filmmaker is considered by many to be one of the greatest screenwriters of all time. Wilder’s films courageously tackled challenging subjects like alcoholism, prostitution, murder, and scandal, helping to pave the way for modern cinema.
He initially studied law in Vienna but dropped out to become a newspaper reporter. He later fled to America when the Nazi party gained power in Germany in 1933. Wilder was known for his sharp, biting wit, which is clearly displayed on his headstone. In a self-deprecating jab at the often temperamental nature of artists, he quips, “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 fondly remembered for his popular talk show, which ran for over two decades and snagged multiple Emmy awards. Beyond his on-screen charm, he was a savvy media mogul, creating iconic game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Growing up near San Francisco, he’d even host shows on his back porch, casting local children in his productions. Before television, he had stints as a musician and a bank teller, eventually moving into theater and entertainment.
His background in Broadway and radio proved a perfect match for daytime television, and his success made him a household name. His epitaph is a clever and fitting tribute to his television career, playfully informing his fans: “I will not be right back after this message.”
3. Mel Blanc: “That’s all, folks!”
Mel Blanc (1908–1989), often called “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” was the vocal genius behind beloved characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Considered America’s greatest voice-over artist, he brought more than 400 distinct characters to life. He discovered his unique talent while co-hosting a radio program in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, where he had to disguise his voice to create the illusion of a larger cast.
A remarkably gifted and prolific performer, Blanc worked on roughly 3,000 cartoons throughout his 50-year career, primarily with Warner Brothers. He also voiced Barney Rubble on the hit TV show The Flintstones and various characters in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It’s only right that his final farewell to the world is the iconic Looney Tunes catchphrase: “That’s all, folks!”
2. John Belushi: “I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on”
John Belushi (1949–1982) was a pivotal figure in the American comedy landscape of the 1970s and ’80s. Beginning at Second City, Belushi was later drafted as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, where his energetic and eccentric comedy style earned him international fame. Alongside co-star Dan Aykroyd, he developed the iconic Blues Brothers characters and also starred in the comedy classic Animal House.
Belushi was also known for his struggles with self-destructive behavior. Tragically, he died from a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont at the young age of 33. His unapologetic love for life and partying is clearly reflected on his tombstone, which proclaims his lifelong mantra: “I may be gone, but Rock and Roll lives on.”
1. Jackie Gleason: “And away we go!”
Jackie Gleason (1916–1987) stands as an iconic figure in American television history, most famous for starring in the hit show The Honeymooners. Growing up without a father in the tough neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Gleason began his career in vaudeville. He soon transitioned to Broadway, where he was discovered and signed by Warner Brothers. He went on to star in a string of successful films, including Smokey and the Bandit and The Hustler, for which he received an Oscar nomination.
The phrase that will forever immortalize Gleason, prominently featured on his tomb, is “And away we go!” This was also the title of a music and comedy album he released in 1954, perfectly capturing his exuberant spirit.
These celebrity tombstones offer a fascinating final glimpse into the unique personalities of these beloved entertainers. From the humorous to the poignant, their chosen epitaphs ensure that their legacies continue to resonate, often bringing a smile or a knowing nod. They remind us that even in death, a good line can last forever.
Which of these unique celebrity epitaphs do you find most memorable or fitting? Do you know of any others? Share your_thoughts in the comments below!
