Mel Blanc (1908 – 1989)

“THAT’S ALL FOLKS”

Animation voice actor famous for voicing many of the Looney Tunes cartoon characters. This headstone inscription was the catchphrase spoken by Porky Pig at the end of each cartoon.

Bette Davis (1908 – 1989)

“She did it the hard way”

The Hollywood actress died from breast cancer at the age of 81. She was entombed in Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, and this is the epitaph on her tombstone.

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)

“Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, and cursed be he that moves my bones.”

This is the inscription on the famous playwright’s gravestone. The Bard died on his birthday at the age of 52, and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church next to wife Anne.

Stan Laurel (1890 – 1965)

“I’m not. I’d rather be doing that than getting all these needles stuck in me!”

Minutes before his death, the comedy actor joked to his nurse he would rather be skiing and her reply was ‘I didn’t know you were a skier.’ Stan Laurel died at the age of 74 in his apartment, four days after suffering a heart attack.

Humphrey Bogart (1899 – 1957)

“Goodbye Kid. Hurry back”

The iconic actor best known for his tough guys roles, died in hospital from cancer of the oesophagus at the age of 57. These were his final words to wife Lauren Bacall as she left his bedside to pick up their children, when she returned he had entered a coma and never recovered consciousness.

Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989)

“When you are a genius, you do not have the right to die, because we are necessary for the progress of humanity.”

The surrealist painter spoke these words during a public appearance in 1986. He died in hospital of a heart attack at the age of 84, and was buried in a crypt below the stage of his Theatre-Museum, just 450 meters from the house where he was born.

Michael Jackson (1958 – 2009)

“Just make me sleep. Doesn’t matter what time I get up…

“I can’t function if I don’t sleep. They’ll have to cancel it.

“And I don’t want them to cancel it, but they will have to cancel it.”

According to his doctor, who was the last person to see him alive, these were the King of Pop’s final words, asking for the anaesthetic propofol to help him sleep. Michael Jackson was referring to the cancellation of a rehearsal he was due to attend, and died from an overdose of propofol and benzodiazepines. His doctor was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977)

“Okay, I won’t.”

This was the King of Rock and Roll’s reply to his fiancee Ginger Alden, after she warned him not to fall asleep in the bathroom, where Elvis said he was going to read. Presley died at the age of 42, there are conflicting accounts on the cause of death, and it is still the subject of debate.

Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870)

“On the ground.”

The novelist and social critic’s final words were spoken to his sister-in-law Georgina when she asked him to lie down. Charles Dickens died from a stroke and was laid to rest at Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey.