Are you fascinated by the idea of celebrity ghosts? From legendary actors to notorious outlaws, these famous figures are said to linger beyond the grave, making their presence known in the places they once called home. Dive into the mysterious world of celebrity ghosts and discover the eerie tales of stars and historical icons who refuse to leave the spotlight, reminding us that fame, even after death, can be a powerful force.
Hollywood’s Ethereal Icons and Haunted Legends
After living in the limelight with relentless attention from the press and adoring fans, some of our nation’s most famous and infamous celebrity ghosts are seemingly not ready to move on. If you never had the opportunity to meet them in real life, according to these captivating tales, you might still catch a glimpse of them as they continue to haunt the places of their pasts, leaving an indelible mark on both history and the spectral realm.
Lucille Ball
The beloved redhead queen of comedy, Lucille Ball, passed away on April 26, 1989, at the age of 77. Despite her departure, her spirit is believed to have remained in her longtime residence at 1000 North Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills. Subsequent owners of the property have reported a series of perplexing events, including inexplicable broken windows, disembodied voices echoing from an empty attic, and furniture or other objects moving mysteriously within the house. It seems even death couldn’t dim Lucy’s vibrant spirit.
Lon Chaney, Sr.
Remembered as “The Man of a Thousand Faces” and a pioneer actor of horror films during the silent film era, Lon Chaney, Sr., died in 1930. Today, his theatrical spirit is said to haunt Sound Stage 28 at Universal Studios, a place deeply connected to his iconic role in The Phantom of the Opera. Chaney’s caped apparition has reportedly been seen gliding along the catwalks high above the stage. Other mysterious phenomena reported here include lights that switch on and off without human intervention and doors that open and close by themselves, suggesting a lingering dramatic presence.
Montgomery Clift
A renowned film star of the 1950s and ’60s, Montgomery Clift was a four-time Oscar-nominated actor celebrated for his intense performances. His restless spirit is frequently encountered at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, specifically in Room 928. It was here, in 1953, that Clift spent three months meticulously memorizing lines for From Here to Eternity, often pacing the room. Today, unexplained loud noises emanate from the otherwise empty suite, the telephone is perpetually found off the hook, and peculiar cold spots are felt throughout the room. Some sensitive guests have even described feeling an invisible hand patting their shoulder, a gentle yet unsettling touch from the past.
Joan Crawford
From silent film sensation to a formidable Hollywood legend, Joan Crawford’s career spanned an impressive 45 years. Her former residence, now known as the Crawford House, is reportedly haunted not only by her powerful spirit but also by numerous other entities. Despite multiple attempts at exorcism, these lingering spirits steadfastly refuse to vacate the premises, cementing the house’s reputation as a hotspot for paranormal activity.
James Dean
While direct sightings of James Dean’s spirit are scarce, a compelling and dark legend surrounds his infamous Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed “Little Bastard.” Dean, the fresh-faced Hollywood icon of the early 1950s known for his fast-lane lifestyle, tragically lost his life in a head-on collision on September 30, 1955, just weeks after purchasing the car for racing. Afterward, a chilling curse seemed to plague anyone who came into contact with the vehicle or its parts. Numerous individuals suffered injuries and even death, until the cursed automobile mysteriously vanished, adding another layer to the enigma of this enduring celebrity ghost story.
Redd Foxx
The legendary star of the long-running television series Sanford & Son, Redd Foxx, is said to haunt Stage 31 at Paramount Studios, the very place where he tragically died of a heart attack. Staff and visitors at the studio have reported hearing his distinctive laughter at jokes and sensing his playful presence. Furthermore, the comedian’s spirit is also known to haunt his former home in Las Vegas. After a contentious battle with the IRS, Foxx lost the house when it was forced into sale. The new owner claimed to have seen Foxx’s apparition strolling around in a bathrobe. Other strange occurrences included lights turning on and off independently and a sliding glass door constantly opening by itself. Even after the building became offices for Nevada Aqua Air Systems and the sliding door was replaced with a wooden swinging door, the new door continued to open with invisible hands, suggesting Foxx’s spirit still seeks comfort in his old abode.
Jean Harlow
The term “blonde bombshell” was famously coined for Jean Harlow during her tragically short but meteoric career in Hollywood. Her personal life was marked by tragedy, including her marriage in 1932 to MGM studio executive Paul Bern, who was rumored to have subjected her to vicious beatings before he committed suicide in their upstairs bedroom the same year. Harlow’s career was cut short when she died at the young age of 26 from kidney failure, a condition believed by some to have been exacerbated by the abuse she endured. Both Harlow and Bern have been seen numerous times haunting the mansion they once called home, their spirits seemingly trapped in the house’s dark history.
Clark Gable & Carole Lombard
Often hailed as “The King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable, a leading box office star of the 1930s and 1940s, and his beloved wife, Carole Lombard, are said to haunt the historic Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Arizona. The couple spent their honeymoon at this charming hotel in Kingman, making it a place forever etched with their romance. Carole Lombard, one of Hollywood’s top comedy actresses of the 1930s, tragically died in a plane crash just three years after marrying Gable in what was considered one of Hollywood’s most ideal marriages. Her spirit has been seen near the suite she shared with Clark Gable at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Together, both she and her husband, Gable, allegedly also haunt the Oatman Hotel, where their love story began, their spectral presence a testament to their enduring bond.
Marilyn Monroe
The iconic glamorous film star of the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe, tragically passed away on August 5, 1962, from an overdose of sleeping pills. Today, her ethereal spirit is known to haunt the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a place she frequently stayed at the height of her popularity. Her ghostly presence is believed to manifest in the full-length mirror that once adorned her poolside suite, now relocated to the hotel lobby. Guests and staff have reported seeing her reflection, a poignant reminder of the glamorous star who met a tragic end, eternally seeking recognition in the very halls where she once shined brightest. Marilyn’s lingering essence serves as a powerful reminder of Hollywood’s enduring legends.
Historical Figures and Unsettling Apparitions
Beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, several historical figures, from revered presidents to notorious outlaws, are said to have left their indelible energetic imprints on the locations significant to their lives and deaths. These haunted celebrities from history remind us that power and notoriety can sometimes bind a soul to the earthly plane.
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, the controversial third Vice President of the United States under Thomas Jefferson, is perhaps most infamous for his fatal duel with Alexander Hamilton. Though acquitted of treason charges, Burr’s legacy remains complex. Today, his spirit is said to haunt the elegant One If By Land, Two If By Sea Restaurant in New York City, which was once Burr’s carriage house at 17 Barrow Street. Diners and staff alike have witnessed dishes inexplicably flying off tables and chairs being pulled out from under guests by unseen forces. Adding to the mystery, Burr’s daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston, who vanished off the coast of North Carolina en route to visit her father in New York, is also believed to linger in the restaurant, a poignant echo of a family tragedy.
Al Capone
The notorious Chicago gangster, Al Capone, who dominated the city’s illegal activities during the Prohibition era, is rumored to haunt multiple locations. He is said to appear when visitors display disrespect at his family plot in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. More famously, at Alcatraz, where Capone was one of the first inmates, spectral banjo music was frequently heard emanating from his old cell, a haunting melody believed to be played by the gangster himself, who was known to enjoy the instrument during his incarceration. Even in death, “Scarface” commands attention.
Benjamin Franklin
Instrumental in laying the foundation of the United States government and a polymath renowned as a writer, inventor, philosopher, and scientist, Benjamin Franklin’s intellect continues to resonate. Today, Franklin is said to haunt the Philosophical Society’s library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a place where he spent countless hours dedicated to enlightenment. Some people have even reported the Philosophical Society’s statue of Franklin animatedly dancing along the streets, a whimsical and unexpected apparition from one of America’s founding fathers.
Harry Houdini
Despite his lifelong skepticism regarding spiritualism and his efforts to debunk mediums, the ghost of legendary escape artist Harry Houdini is ironically said to haunt several locations. A magic show paying tribute to Houdini’s talents is held at Jacki Gaughan’s Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. Staff members there believe the showroom is haunted by a playful ghost who enjoys pranks and moving items around, often attributing these occurrences to Houdini himself, perhaps ensuring his legacy of illusion is upheld. The most common place for Houdini sightings is the former site of his mansion in Laurel Canyon, which was destroyed by fire in 1959. Many have allegedly seen his apparition lurking about the old property, perhaps still trying to find his way out of his final confinement.
Thomas Ince
Considered one of the visionary pioneers of American cinema and a highly respected director of the silent film era, Thomas Ince was a co-founder of Culver Studios, which later became MGM. He died of heart failure in 1924, but his creative spirit reportedly remained tethered to the lot that was once Culver Studios, continuing to oversee the cinematic magic he helped create.
Andrew Jackson
The formidable seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, served from 1829 to 1837. After his death, his characteristic stomping and swearing were reportedly heard in the White House’s Rose Room by none other than Mary Todd Lincoln, a First Lady herself known for her interest in the supernatural. Jackson’s fiery personality evidently transcended the grave.
Jesse James
The infamous Old West outlaw, Jesse James, was initially buried at the family farm in Kearney, Missouri, though his body was later moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery to rest beside his wife. Despite the relocation of his remains, many believe his spirit has never truly left the farm. All kinds of strange events continually occur there: doors slam shut by themselves, lights move both inside and outside the property buildings, and an overwhelming sense of an unearthly presence lingers. Others report hearing the ghostly sounds of pounding hooves, muffled gunshots, and distant cries, evocative of the area’s tumultuous history, dating back to events of the Civil War era. The spirit of the Wild West truly endures here.
Thomas Jefferson
The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, who served from 1801 to 1809, was known for retreating to the Oval Office to relax and play his violin. Over the years, there have been numerous credible reports of the ghostly sounds of those melodic strings emanating from the Oval Office, suggesting that Jefferson’s spirit still seeks solace and creative expression in his former workspace.
Thomas “Black Jack” Ketchum
Thomas “Black Jack” Ketchum holds the unique distinction of being the only train robber ever hanged for this crime in the state of New Mexico. Known for his charming demeanor yet notorious as a road agent, Ketchum famously made off with loot from the steam engines of his day. Today, this Old West outlaw is said to haunt one of his favorite hideout caves near Folsom, New Mexico, his rugged spirit perhaps still waiting for the next score.
Robert E. Lee
During the American Civil War, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led several successful campaigns before his eventual surrender in April 1865. Interestingly, his spirit is said to have regressed to that of a four-year-old child, and he has been spied playing in the yard of his childhood home in Alexandria, Virginia. Known as a playful spirit, he reportedly enjoys pranks such as ringing the doorbell and moving objects within the house. His faint giggles are often heard throughout the historic residence. Sometimes, he is even seen in the company of a ghostly black dog and the spirits of two young girls, believed to be his sisters, creating a poignant scene of childhood innocence in the afterlife.
John Lennon
The legendary former Beatle, John Lennon, is famously said to haunt The Dakota building at 1 West 72nd Street in New York City, the very place where he was tragically shot to death in 1980. Many believe his spirit continues to watch over the iconic residence, a silent guardian in the place of his final moments.
Liberace
Renowned for his extravagant piano-playing skills, flamboyant charisma, and dazzling diamonds, Liberace died of AIDS in 1987. According to numerous reports, the entertainer’s spirit has taken up residence at Carluccio’s Tivoli Gardens, a restaurant Liberace once owned just a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip. Liberace maintained a private lounge adjacent to the dining room where he entertained close friends, occasionally slipping into the main dining room to tinkle the piano keys for unsuspecting diners. Today, staff and guests alike believe the flamboyant pianist has never truly left. There are numerous reports of unexplained electrical surges, bottles tipping over for no apparent reason, and ladies’ restroom stalls locking and unlocking themselves. On one occasion, the electricity went off and would not return until someone realized it was Liberace’s birthday; after wishing him a happy one, the lights inexplicably came back on. Some have even reported seeing his spirit outside the windows, a final flourish from the ultimate showman.
Abraham Lincoln
Perhaps the most frequently sighted spirit among all American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln was known during his lifetime for his belief in the supernatural. President Lincoln is famously known to haunt the White House and several sites in Springfield, Illinois, where his political career began. Illustrious occupants of the White House, including President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Grace Coolidge, reported seeing a tall, gaunt figure in various rooms of the residence. Others walking by the White House have reported seeing a shadowy figure matching Lincoln’s dimensions in the window of the Oval Office, where the president often stood gazing at the Potomac River during the tumultuous days of the Civil War. Lincoln’s spirit is most often linked to his tomb at Oakridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Over the years, tourists and staff members have shared stories of uncomfortable feelings, phantom footsteps, whispers, muffled voices, and weeping. Lincoln has also been reported walking the streets surrounding Springfield’s original courthouse and the hallways of his former home. Furthermore, the ghost of Mary Lincoln has been sighted at their old home located at 413 South Eighth Street, proving that even a nation’s leaders can become haunted celebrities.
Final Thoughts on Lingering Spirits
The tales of celebrity ghosts offer a captivating glimpse into the idea that fame and impactful lives can create a residual energy that defies death. From the tragic figures of Hollywood’s golden age to the pivotal leaders and notorious outlaws of American history, these spirits continue to captivate our imagination. Whether driven by unresolved emotions, a connection to a beloved place, or simply the echo of a powerful personality, these famous apparitions remind us that some legacies are truly eternal, transcending the boundaries between worlds. The next time you visit a historic landmark or an old Hollywood haunt, perhaps you’ll sense the lingering presence of a star or a legend who is simply not ready to fade away.
