Joan Crawford - Hartsdale, NY - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Joan Crawford was born on March 23, 1905 in San Antonio, Texas. During her childhood she developed in to a very fine dancer which allowed her to pursue a career in show business. In 1925, at the age of 20, she moved to Hollywood where she landed several small part in silent films. He big break came in 1928 when she was cast as Diana Medford in the silent film “Our Dancing.” She captured the attention of MGM executives and was quickly signed to a contract. While at MGM she made the transition from silent films to “talkies,” appearing in her first talking film titled “Untamed” in 1929. Crawford became one of MGM most successful stars appearing in such profitable films as “Grand Hotel,” “No More Ladies,” and “Love on the Run.” In the Early 1940’s Crawford left MGM and signed with Warner Brothers where she had her greatest success, being nominated for three Academy Awards. She won her only Oscar in 1946 for her leading role in the movie “Mildred Pierce.” She was nominated again in 1948 for her role in Possessed, and her final nomination came in 1953 for her leading role in “Sudden Fear.” Times began to change with the development of Television and Crawford’s was unable to make the transition from silver screen to the small screen and her roles diminished. In her later years she became recluse, rarely appearing in public. Joan Crawford died of cancer on May 10, 1977. She is entombed in the Ferncliff Mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

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The coordinates for this waymark were taken at the main entrance to the Ferncliff Mausoleum. Joan Crawford's crypt is located in Unit 8, Alcove E, Crypt 142 of the Ferncliff Mausoleum. This is a very large mausoleum and even with a map I had to have help in locating the crypt. Note: Ed Sullivan (visit link) is entombed in the adjacent hall.

Description: Lucille Fay LeSueur is better known as Joan Crawford. She was born on March 23, 1905 in San Antonio, Texas. As a child, she developed into a very good dancer, and entered a number of dance contests. She performed in chorus lines and was soon dancing throughout the Midwest and East Coast. In 1925 she moved to Hollywood and pursued an acting career, landing several small parts. Crawford’s big break came in 1928 when she was cast in the role of Diana Medford in the silent film “Our Dancing Daughters.” Many of the early stars had trouble making the transition from silent films to “talkies.” Crawford made the transition appearing in her first talking film “Untamed” in 1929. Early on Crawford signed with MGM and became one of the studios most successful stars. Throughout the 1930’s, Crawford appeared in many successful films, including “Grand Hotel” in 1932, “No More Ladies” in 1935 and “Love on the Run” in 1936. In the early 1940’s Crawford moved from MGM to Warner Brothers where in 1945 she starred in “Mildred Pierce.” It was in this role that she would win her first and only Academy Award. Following her Oscar Winning role, she continued to star in a number of very successful films including “Possessed” in 1947, for which she received another Academy Award Nomination. Being a highly successful actress, allowed Crawford to choose her roles and in 1952 she was again nominated for an Oscar for her role as Myra Hudson in “Sudden Fear.” In 1962, Crawford starred with her long time and bitter rival Bette Davis in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” Crawford’s final appearance on the silver screen was in the little known film called “Trog.” In her later years, Crawford became something of a recluse and was seldom seen in public. On May 10, 1977 Joan Crawford died of cancer. She is resting in the Ferncliff Mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. Date of birth: 03/23/1905 Date of death: 05/10/1977 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Tomb (above ground) Setting: Indoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   09/29/2013 adgorn visited it