Kobe Bryant’s gravesite: Small cemetery has another big star (2024)

The small cemetery where Kobe Bryant is buried contains the graves of some notable people — including one arguably as famous as the basketball star.

Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were buried Friday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. They were killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.

The 45-acre property on Spyglass Hill is a rolling lawn with flat-to-the-ground markers and a row of mausoleums.

Until Bryant’s burial, its most remarkable memorial was that of John Wayne. The world-famous movie star was buried in 1979 but had no grave marker until 1998. Now the site is marked by a metal plaque bearing the image of a cowboy on horseback and an American flag in a Southwestern landscape, and this quotation:

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life.Comes into us at midnight very clean.It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands.It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”

In a 2004 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Wayne’s son Ethan said the site initially went unmarked out of respect for the families of those buried nearby. “They don’t want their loved ones’ graves trampled on,” he said.

But he said that, given his father’s strong connection to his fans, he was happy that people wanted to visit the grave. “If they want to go see him, I think it’s wonderful. He had a tremendous impact on people.”

Pacific View maintains a policy of revealing the exact locations of gravesites only to family members, but several online sources — including the FindAGrave website — provide directions to Wayne’s grave, and it is marked on the Google Map of the cemetery.

Among other people buried at Pacific View, according to FindAGrave:

  • Musicians Jeff Hanneman (Slayer), Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot) and Bobby Hatfield (the Righteous Brothers).
  • Restaurant founders Bob Wian (Bob’s Big Boy) and John Galardi (Wienerschnitzel).
  • Los Angeles Rams coach Ray Malavasi.
  • Televangelists Paul and Jan Crouch.
  • Fashion designer Bijan.
  • James Roosevelt II, congressman and son of Franklin Roosevelt.
  • Jimmy Cagney’s brother and sister.

Bryant was added Wednesday to the website’s list.

Bryant’s death certificate originally said he was to be interred in a cemetery in Los Angeles’ Westwood district, but that was later amended. Pacific View is close to the Bryant family’s church, Our Lady Queen of Angels, in Newport Beach.

Kobe Bryant’s gravesite: Small cemetery has another big star (2024)

FAQs

Kobe Bryant’s gravesite: Small cemetery has another big star? ›

The small cemetery where Kobe Bryant is buried contains the graves of some notable people — including one arguably as famous as the basketball star. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were buried Friday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. They were killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.

Why is Kobe's grave unmarked? ›

Wayne's son Ethan told the Los Angeles Times in 2004 that the grave was unmarked out of respect for people buried nearby so their plots wouldn't get trampled. Ethan Wayne added, though, that the family supports visitors.

What cemetery is Kobe Bryant buried in? ›

The burial occurred at Pacific View Memorial Park, which is near the family's home in Orange County. Burial originally was planned for Westwood Village Memorial Park but was changed. Bryant and his daughter, 13, were killed along with seven other people in a helicopter crash Jan.

Where is John Wayne's buried? ›

Pacific View Memorial Park is a cemetery located in the Corona del Mar neighborhood of Newport Beach, in Orange County, California. It first opened in 1958, and is the final resting place of actor John Wayne and basketball player Kobe Bryant.

Did Kobe's parents attend his funeral? ›

Multiple reports revealed that Joe Bryant and Pamela Bryant were in attendance at the event to honor their late son, who died on Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven others.

Did Kobe have a private funeral? ›

A private Los Angeles funeral was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna have finally been laid to rest, according to E! News. The father and daughter were celebrated in a private funeral in Los Angeles by close family and friends.

Were the bodies intact from the helicopter crash? ›

The reports by the Los Angeles County coroner's office provide a clinical but unvarnished look at just how brutal the crash was, describing broken bones, dismembered body parts and a stench of fuel on what remained of clothing that burned.

Where is the grave of Michael Jackson? ›

Michael Jackson's grave (photo)

A photo of actor Michael Jackson's grave, at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California.

What did Kobe's mom do? ›

Who did John Wayne leave his fortune to? ›

“John Wayne's will ensured that all seven of his children and his first wife (his second wife ԁıеԁ in 1961, per Find-a-Grave) received some compensation, either directly, or through trust funds, leaving them all with five and six-figure sums.

Where is Frank Sinatra's burial site? ›

Rat Packers should make the pilgrimage to Desert Memorial Park to pay their final respects to Frank Sinatra who died in 1998 at age 82. He was buried in Plot B-8 with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a pack of Camel cigarettes tucked into his suit. His head stone reads: 'The Best is yet to come.

Where is Marilyn Monroe buried? ›

Grave stone of Marilyn Monroe at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, 1218 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, California | Library of Congress.

What is considered an unmarked grave? ›

An "unmarked human burial" is any human skeletal remains or associated burial artifacts or any location, including any burial mound or earthen or shell monument, where human skeletal remains or associated burial artifacts are discovered or believed to exist on the basis of archaeological or historical evidence, ...

Could Kobe's death have been prevented? ›

Kobe Bryant's death could have been prevented by not flying. Given the condition of that day, they should NOT fly. Driving or staying home should be the only options. Unfortunately, they chose the wrong choice that lead to their death.

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