Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Official Website: https://www.thehollywoodroosevelt.com/
The Tale Begins
Prepare yourself for a thrilling journey through golden corridors and enigmatic halls as we delve into the enticing and slightly eerie world of one of Tinseltown’s most treasured architectural icons, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. This isn’t your usual hotel story, oh no! Graced by the elite and adorned with timeless glamour, this landmark hides another hair-raising side beneath its glitz and glitter. Amidst the clinking champagne glasses and laughter of glamorous parties, if you listen closely, you might detect an uncanny whisper, a spectral presence hinting towards its gripping history. Yes dear readers, we’re pulling back the red curtain to the core mysteries of Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where spectral stars are said to cast long shadows, and the line between past glamour and present chills is intriguingly blurred! So come on in, if you dare – the tale of Hollywood’s most haunted haven awaits you!
The History of Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, known for its Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture along with its ornate interiors, was built in 1926 and is named after America’s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. Initially financed by a group of Hollywood luminaries including Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Louis B. Mayer, and Sid Grauman, the establishment rapidly became a hotspot for the American film industry’s elite. The hotel has served several high-profile guests, such as Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Marilyn Monroe, further strengthening its association with Hollywood glamour.
Importantly, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel held the first-ever Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 inside its Blossom Room. This event was far from the lavish televised spectacle we know today; instead, it was a private dinner that lasted just fifteen minutes. The attendees at this event had to purchase their own tickets and the winners were announced three months in advance.
The hotel underwent a significant restoration in 1984 to bring it back to its original grandeur. The renovation saw the restoration of original elements of the hotel, such as the tile floor in the lobby and the wrought iron on the staircases and elevator cages.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel holds a special place in Hollywood’s lore. It is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in Los Angeles, with numerous sightings of famous ghosts reported, including the spirit of Marilyn Monroe. Its rich history and association with Hollywood fame continue to draw guests from all over the world.
Is it really haunted at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel?
Yes, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, located in the bustling Hollywood district of Los Angeles, has been the subject of numerous ghost stories and paranormal sightings, adding a tinge of mystery to its glamorous history.
One of the most well-known anecdotes revolves around the ghost of Marilyn Monroe, the famed American actress. Some guests and workers have claimed to see her spectral reflection in a mirror located in her suite, where she often resided at the height of her career. The mirror originally hung in Marilyn’s poolside Suite 1200, and Monroe’s image has been said to occasionally appear in it.
Another eerie story involves Montgomery Clift, the actor who starred in the film “From Here to Eternity”. During the movie’s production in 1953, Clift supposedly stayed in Room 928 and was known to pace the hallways, practicing his lines. To this day, some guests have reported hearing footsteps in the hall and muffled voices coming from the room, as if Clift is still rehearsing his lines.
Furthermore, the Blossom Ballroom, the original site of the Academy Awards, has its fair share of spooky occurrences as well. Reports talk of cold spots, photo anomalies and eerie vibes. A notable event was when an employee saw a spectral, formally dressed gentleman fading away in the ballroom, hence giving rise to the stories of a full-bodied apparition.
While these examples certainly make for chilling tales, it’s important to remember that ghost stories often grow in the telling, and individual experiences can be highly subjective. Yet, the mystique and enchanting history of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel undoubtedly make it an intriguing stop for both Hollywood history buffs and fans of the supernatural.
Wrapping Up
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in Hollywood with a rich and sometimes spooky history. Established in 1927, it is named in honor of the United States 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and was financed in part by Hollywood legends Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Louis B. Mayer.
One of the main attractions of the Roosevelt Hotel is the paradoxical blend of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age with its reputation for paranormal activity. One notable spectral occurrence involves the spirit of the legendary Marilyn Monroe, who lived at the hotel for a time. Her image has reportedly been seen in a mirror which hung in her former suite and now resides in the hotel lobby.
Another apparition said to be haunting the hotel is that of the silent film star, Montgomery Clift. It’s thought that Clift’s spirit resides in room 928 where he once lived, with guests experiencing unexplained phone calls, cold spots, and hearing a trumpet, which Clift used to play.
In addition, a little girl named Caroline who was rumored to have drowned in the hotel’s pool, has also been reportedly seen playing in the hotel’s hallways and lobby. The Blossom Ballroom, too, is known for cold spots and sightings of a ghostly man in a white suit.
While these hauntings add a chilling allure, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel also boasts a famed legacy in the entertainment industry. It was the venue for the first-ever Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 and over the years has hosted countless actors, musicians, and artists, firmly establishing itself as a beloved institution amidst the star-studded glamour of Hollywood.
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