While all we see is glamor and bedazzled castles, there is a much darker and eerie side of Tinseltown that we aren’t often taken to. It’s where the glitz of Hollywood intersects with the spine-chilling world of the supernatural.
In a world where every imagination comes to life, why wouldn’t the bone-chilling screen tales have a back story? From iconic hotels to historic theaters, join us on a hair-raising walk through the top 10 haunted places in Hollywood, where the spirits of stars past refuse to fade into obscurity.
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1. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Hollywood is a hotel where ghosts check in but they don’t check out. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel stands as a silent witness to the golden age of cinema. But beneath its luxurious facade lies a tomb teeming with ghostly stars. Marilyn Monroe‘s spirit is said to wander the halls of her former suite, while Montgomery Clift’s trumpet plays an eerie melody from room 928. It’s a stay, if you’re brave enough to take it, you definitely won’t soon forget. It’s where history and hauntings intertwine to create something much more authentic than a camera with the script.
2. Paramount Studios
As one of the oldest film studios in Hollywood, Paramount Studios boasts a rich history—and a ghostly one at that. Rumor has it that the spirit of Heather O’Rourke, the young star of the ‘Poltergeist‘ films, still roams the lot. O’Rourke’s ethereal paranormal presence has added much more depth to the spookiness of this iconic studio.
3. The Hollywood Sign
Perched high above Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign is more than just a landmark—it’s a hotspot for all the things unexplainable beyond the screens. From tragic actors to mysterious disappearances, the hills surrounding the sign are alive with ghostly tales, making it a must-visit destination for you if you’re one of those ghost hunters or thrill-seekers. One advice? Take that night view camera with you, who knows, your ghost might get to see the success of your film from there.
4. The Comedy Store
At The Comedy Store, laughter and terror go hand in hand. From ghostly giggles to phantom performers, this legendary comedy club is a favorite haunt for those seeking a good scare. Legend has it that even the late, great Sam Kinison’s spirit still haunts the stage to this day. A stand-up show but the great Sam the ghost himself? I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity personally but you can decide for yourself.
5. Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
If you want to be shaken up thoroughly, take a ride on the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. It’s a wheel where a spectral rider is said to join in on the fun after dark. Legend has it that the ghost of a young girl haunts this otherwise magical place. You can hear her laughter echoing through the night as she takes a ghostly spin on the carousel. We can promise that It’ll be a carousel of creepy heights that you won’t soon forget, just don’t take the kids there.
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6. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Among the tombstones of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, the spirits of Tinseltown’s brightest stars slumber—or do they? From Rudolph Valentino to Cecil B. DeMille, the legends of Hollywood come alive in eerie encounters and whispered tales. Do these names make this destination a must-visit to feed your thrill-seeking veins?
7. The Pantages Theatre
Built in 1930, the Pantages Theatre is steeped in history and haunted by its fair share of spectral residents. Howard Hughes the billionaire, is said to haunt the halls of this historic theater. With big billion pockets his ghost wanders around the Pantages in need of someone to give his fortune to, do you volunteer? We won’t suggest but you do you.
8. The Knickerbocker Hotel
Once a hotspot for Hollywood’s elite, the Knickerbocker Hotel is now a favorite haunt hunt for ghost hunters. From ghostly apparitions to unexplained phenomena, this historic hotel is a favorite of those seeking a glimpse into the darker side of Tinseltown’s past. A glam-filled hotel that has lost its shimmer to the shadows, making it a place where history meets haunting, where the spirits of the past refuse to be forgotten.
9. Hollywood Wax Museum
At the Hollywood Wax Museum, the line between fantasy and reality blurs in eerie ways. It’s a place where wax figures come to Life (Literally). Visitors have reported strange occurrences, from melting bodies blinking to ghostly apparitions wandering the halls. It’s a chilling reminder that even in the world of make-believe, the supernatural can’t be ignored, are you going to ignore it?
10. The Chateau Marmont
Finish off your haunted Hollywood tour at the legendary Chateau Marmont, where celebrity sightings are just as common as running into ghosts. From strange noises to unexplained phenomena, this historic hotel is a favorite haunt for paranormal researchers as it offers a glimpse into the darker side of Hollywood’s glamorous facade. Now this Chateau is the perfect way to end your spooky adventure in Tinseltown, may you have enough thrill left to seek it again.
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