15 Haunted Places With Famous Celebrity Connections
Some of the most famous stars have left more than their names in the places they loved. From glamorous hotels to private estates, these spots are said to hold ghostly echoes of their past residents. Visitors report strange lights, cold chills, and familiar faces from old Hollywood days. These haunted celebrity landmarks show that fame might linger long after the final curtain falls.
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The Roosevelt Hotel (Los Angeles, California)
This glamorous Hollywood landmark opened in 1927 and quickly became a favorite hangout for silver-screen legends. Marilyn Monroe once lived here while her career was taking off, and her old mirror in Suite 1200 is said to reflect her image from time to time. Guests have also heard the sound of a lone trumpet, believed to come from the ghost of Montgomery Clift, who stayed here during the filming of From Here to Eternity. Staff often mention cold spots and flickering lights along the hallways at night.
Visitors who stay on the upper floors sometimes describe the feeling of being watched. Cameras fail mysteriously near certain rooms, and the hotel’s lobby mirrors are said to shimmer with unexplained shadows. Paranormal investigators have recorded strange whispers and the faint sound of laughter near the ballroom. For fans of old Hollywood, the Roosevelt feels like walking into a glamorous ghost story.
The Beverly Hills Hotel (Beverly Hills, California)
Known as “The Pink Palace,” this famous retreat has hosted generations of movie icons. Howard Hughes lived in one of the bungalows for years, preferring privacy among the palm-lined paths. Guests claim that his ghost still roams the grounds, especially near the bungalow area, where doors open and close without cause. Many say the energy here feels restless after midnight, even in the most luxurious suites.
Some staff members have reported hearing faint footsteps in empty corridors. Others have seen shadowy figures near the pool and garden areas, vanishing when approached. With so many famous residents through the decades, it is no surprise that the hotel’s legends have become part of its charm. Every pink wall seems to hold a story from Hollywood’s golden past.
Greystone Mansion (Beverly Hills, California)
Built in 1928 by oil heir Edward “Ned” Doheny Jr., Greystone Mansion carries a dark chapter of Los Angeles history. The grand estate became the site of a mysterious murder-suicide involving Doheny and his secretary the following year. Since then, visitors have claimed to hear disembodied voices, hurried footsteps, and gunshot echoes within its marble halls. Film crews often report sudden equipment malfunctions or cold gusts of air while shooting scenes here.
Today the mansion is open to the public for tours and events, yet many leave with uneasy feelings. Some describe seeing a man in a suit staring from upper-floor windows when the building is locked. Others notice flickering lights in rooms with no power connection. It remains one of California’s most haunted filming locations, as if tragedy refuses to leave its grounds.
Château Marmont (West Hollywood, California)
This storied hotel has long been a favorite escape for actors, musicians, and writers. John Belushi died here in Bungalow 3 in 1982, and guests since have sworn they feel his playful energy nearby. Staff say lights flicker or televisions switch on in that same bungalow without reason. James Dean also had connections to the hotel and supposedly tested scenes for Rebel Without a Cause in its halls.
Late at night, visitors claim to sense unseen movement in empty suites. Some hear music playing faintly, as though a long-finished party continues behind closed doors. Others describe a heavy feeling when passing certain hallways, like someone brushing by them unseen. Despite its elegance, Château Marmont carries a quiet chill that reminds guests how fleeting fame can be.
The Queen Mary (Long Beach, California)
Once a grand ocean liner and now a floating hotel, the Queen Mary has seen decades of celebrity visitors and wartime service. Winston Churchill stayed aboard during World War II, and artists like David Bowie admired its art-deco design. Passengers and crew have long told stories of mysterious figures appearing in mirrors or walking through walls. The most famous tale involves a sailor crushed by a watertight door, whose footsteps echo through the engine room.
The ship’s grand ballroom and first-class pool are known hot spots for ghost sightings. Some guests claim to see a woman in a white gown gliding along the upper decks. Cold air, phantom laughter, and distant music make the ship feel alive even when still. Its haunting charm draws thousands of visitors hoping for a glimpse into its restless past.
Hotel del Coronado (Coronado, California)
This seaside resort near San Diego is both romantic and eerie. Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like It Hot here, adding to its glamorous reputation. The real ghost story, however, centers on Kate Morgan, a young woman who died mysteriously in 1892. Guests staying in her room report flickering lights, moving curtains, and faint whispers at night.
Some visitors say they have seen a woman in black walking along the beach, fading before their eyes. Staff members feel sudden temperature drops when passing the old guest wing. While the hotel remains a sunny retreat by day, it changes mood once the ocean breeze rises. Few places blend charm and chills quite like the Del.
The Knickerbocker Hotel (Los Angeles, California)
Once one of Hollywood’s most glamorous addresses, the Knickerbocker hosted stars like Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, and Rudolph Valentino. It was also the site of several tragedies, including the death of silent-film director D. W. Griffith. Witnesses have seen ghostly shapes drifting through the old ballroom, now used for private events. Employees have reported feeling invisible hands tugging at their uniforms during closing hours.
Frances Farmer, the troubled actress once confined to a psychiatric hospital, reportedly lingers here as well. Houdini’s widow famously held séances on the roof to reach her husband, adding to the hotel’s reputation for the supernatural. People still say they hear faint knocks and whispers near the upper floors. Even in its quieter years, the Knickerbocker refuses to let its past fade away.
The Cecil Hotel (Los Angeles, California)
The Cecil’s history is filled with strange and tragic events that gave it a dark legend. Built in the 1920s as a stylish hotel, it later gained notoriety for mysterious deaths and odd guests. Its grim atmosphere reportedly inspired parts of American Horror Story: Hotel. Visitors describe seeing flickering lights and hearing footsteps echo through deserted hallways.
Some tourists claim to feel sudden dread when entering certain elevators. Others report ghostly laughter or shadows gliding past security cameras. The building’s tragic past, combined with its Hollywood connections, keeps it a place of endless curiosity. Few Los Angeles landmarks carry such an unsettling mix of glamour and gloom.
The Hollywood Sign (Los Angeles, California)
The Hollywood Sign may symbolize fame, but it also hides a somber story. In 1932, actress Peg Entwistle jumped from the letter “H” after losing hope in her career. Since then, hikers and park rangers have seen a woman in 1930s clothing walking the trails before vanishing. A strong scent of gardenias often fills the air when no flowers are around.
Locals say her ghost appears most often near dusk, staring toward the city lights. Some claim she waves before disappearing into the hillside mist. The area’s isolation and quiet make each sighting feel eerily personal. Her tragic story remains part of Hollywood’s haunting folklore.
Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate (Palm Springs, California)
Designed in the late 1940s, Twin Palms served as Frank Sinatra’s desert retreat during his Rat Pack years. The home’s mid-century design and famous piano room made it a party hub for stars. Guests today claim the piano sometimes plays by itself at night. Others say they hear faint laughter and clinking glasses when the house is empty.
Some visitors sense Sinatra’s strong presence around the bar area, as though a celebration never truly ended. The desert wind often seems to carry soft music across the courtyard. Employees who manage private tours have described moving shadows in the windows after closing. Twin Palms remains a glamorous yet ghostly reminder of Sinatra’s larger-than-life spirit.
Graceland (Memphis, Tennessee)
Elvis Presley’s mansion is both a museum and a shrine to his legacy. Tour guides occasionally hear footsteps upstairs, even though the second floor is off limits. Visitors have felt sudden chills near his piano or glimpsed a figure resembling Elvis in reflective surfaces. Many believe he still lingers, watching over the home that defined his fame.
At night, the air around the mansion grows heavy and still. Security staff have heard faint music and seen lights flicker in empty rooms. Guests leave feeling that the King of Rock and Roll may not have fully left the building. Graceland remains one of the most visited haunted homes in America.
Neverland Ranch (Los Olivos, California)
Michael Jackson’s former estate once overflowed with joy, filled with rides, animals, and children’s laughter. Since his passing, those same grounds feel eerily quiet. Security guards have reported hearing piano keys moving and voices calling from the distance. Lights in the main house sometimes flicker on without explanation.
Visitors who attend occasional tours say they feel a strange mix of sadness and warmth. Some have seen fleeting shapes in windows or heard soft humming from empty rooms. The property’s fairytale charm now carries a ghostly melancholy. Neverland seems to echo the music and memories of its most famous owner.
The Dakota (New York City, New York)
This grand apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has long fascinated fans and residents alike. John Lennon lived here until his tragic death outside the entrance in 1980. Afterward, many people—including Yoko Ono—claimed to see his spirit near their former apartment. Lennon himself once spoke of seeing ghosts in the building before his passing.
The Dakota’s heavy architecture and dim hallways add to its spooky atmosphere. Residents have heard faint piano music drifting through closed doors and seen spectral children in period clothing. Some say Lennon’s peaceful presence remains, standing near the doorway where fans still leave flowers. The building’s history and sorrow make it one of New York’s most haunting addresses.
The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado)
This elegant mountain resort inspired Stephen King to write The Shining after a stay in Room 217. Guests often report laughter, footsteps, or children playing in the hallways when no one is there. The hotel’s grand staircase and ballroom seem especially active after midnight. Even King himself said the atmosphere gave him strange dreams.
Tourists visit from around the world hoping to experience its ghostly charm. Some say their luggage moved on its own, while others hear faint piano notes echoing from the music room. Despite the eerie happenings, the hotel maintains its warm, old-world feel by day. At night, however, the Stanley’s shadows seem to come alive.
The Playboy Mansion (Los Angeles, California)
The famous mansion hosted decades of celebrity parties and late-night gatherings. After Hugh Hefner’s death, reports of strange activity began to surface. Staff members noticed cold spots and whispering voices in long, empty hallways. Some say they’ve seen figures moving through hidden passages once used by famous guests.
The property’s rich history gives plenty of room for stories to linger. Security teams have heard phantom laughter near the pool area long after closing. Lights flicker and doors open by themselves in the guest rooms. Whatever remains within those walls, it seems the parties never truly stopped.