
A placing black cat named “Close Up” resides on the 123-year-old iconic Hollywood Endlessly cemetery in Los Angeles, a closing resting place for a lot of Hollywood legends.
“My panther profile is on a flag! This should cement my status as a true icon. (Photo and flag by @ecosherri)”
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Photographs and media by way of Instagram/closeupthecemeterycat
Excursions with Shut Up the Cat
Annually, the cemetery, based in 1899, receives 1000’s of holiday makers who come to pay respects to Hollywood royalty like Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Burt Reynolds, and Rudolph Valentino. In the event that they’re fortunate, they might additionally get a glimpse of the resident cat prepared for his close-up.
“I took a second to benefit from the lovely spring climate with @cemeterytourguide Picture by @sarah_calavera from @ordergooddeath.“
Typically, Shut Up could also be seen close to the director and producer Cecil B. DeMille’s grave, which is the place he obtained his identify.
“Cecil B. DeMille’s grave is one of my most favorite spots in the cemetery. It is where I earned my name “Close Up.”
When tour teams come by way of, the pleasant cat will typically observe alongside, placing poses on the headstones. As you possibly can see under, the cat’s bestie will typically strike a pose too!
“A girl and her panther 💕🪦🐈⬛💕🪦🐈⬛”
Based on WeLikeLA.com:
“Karie Bible, who hosts the cemetery’s walking tours, gave the cat his name after noticing he frequently hung out at director and producer Cecil B. DeMille’s grave. It’s a reference to Sunset Boulevard (1950)—in which DeMille played himself—and disgraced film star Norma Desmond’s (Gloria Swanson) famous line, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”
Video by Movieclips:
A Minor Cat Superstar in Hollywood
Based on workers, Shut Up has develop into a “minor celebrity” within the cemetery, with guests who come simply to see him and provides him a deal with.
“He does visit a lot with people who have loved ones buried there. He seems to have turned into more of a comforting cat to people, an emotional support cat, so to speak. There are several families that he will cuddle up with their laps or sit with them in a chair. And, of course, he gets lots of food and treats. He’s really spoiled,” stated Michelene Cherie, who volunteered to assist the cats in 2007.
Nonetheless, he wasn’t all the time so pleasant. When he arrived about 4 years in the past, he was referred to as “Mr. Growly.”
“We used to call him Mr. Growly,” He was so feral and territorial that when he ate, he would growl to maintain the opposite cats away. However he’s gotten a lot consideration that he’s develop into pleasant,” Cherie stated.

“Close Up is one of five or six cats who enjoys pets.” Picture: Juliet Bennett Rylah by way of WeLikeLA.com
Hollywood Endlessly’s Feral Cat Colonies
When guests arrive, they might anticipate to see many cats like Shut Up, because the cemetery has managed as many as 5 feral cat colonies on the 65-acre property.
“Along with stars of Hollywood’s golden age, the cemetery has also been home to colonies of feral cats, who can be spotted resting on gravestones and near mausoleums,” The Guardian reviews.
Under, Shut Up poses for a dramatic image throughout a nighttime tour.
“Tonight I have a night tour. I love making a dramatic entrance and taking over. I was born to be in the spotlight! 🌛🪦🐈⬛”
Life in Hollywood Endlessly
Right here, the feral cats have the whole lot they might ever want. Shelters, ten feeding stations stocked with moist and dry meals, and water can be found for the cats. Usually, the cats hang around on the entrance wall of the cemetery close to Santa Monica Blvd. If he feels prefer it, Shut Up could pose for an image or two however it’s as much as him.
“I spend my days greeting followers, posing for pictures, giving TV interviews and main excursions. Typically I must relaxation, and like Greta Garbo, I wish to be alone. Whenever you go to the cemetery, I’ll method you if I really feel like being within the limelight. If not, please perceive my want for privateness. Being well-known will be exhausting!!
Additionally, my caretakers give me wonderful meals, so please keep away from loading me up with treats. My staff works onerous to ensure I’m in peak situation. As all the time, I vastly admire my many adoring followers.”
Entice, Neuter, Launch (TNR) Efforts
TNR (entice, neuter, launch) packages at Hollywood Endlessly are ongoing. By means of the efforts, Michelene Cherie and nonprofit FixNation assist to regulate the cat inhabitants with a constant 60 to 65 cats in 2021.
“We’re pretty busy, but we have managed to carve out time over the years to do this because we think it’s important,” Cherie stated. “We love animals and we like helping the cemetery,” she stated.
As a part of their efforts, they helped over 60 cats and kittens discover houses.
In contrast to most cemeteries, this one could be very energetic and alive, with a lot of exercise within the California sunshine. Together with cats, guests might even see over 50 peacocks, Zeus and Helen, the swans, geese, geese, turtles, koi, raccoons, squirrels, possums, and rabbits. Someway, all of them are inclined to get alongside in a bit peaceful kingdom.
“It’s sort of a microcosm of nature. [A]ll of the animals get along really well, and you can observe their respect for each other. The cats don’t go after the birds. In fact, it’s the opposite. Sometimes, the birds will chase the cats around,” Cherie stated.
“Sometimes I stand by the pond and enjoy the beauty of my vast kingdom. 🪦🐈⬛🪦🐈⬛🪦🐈⬛🪦🐈⬛🪦🐈⬛”
Surprisingly, the birds have a tendency to hang around within the space adjoining to the cat feeding stations.
“Watching over the most recent members of my kingdom. Video by @marcilashway“
Shut Up Lives In a Historic-Cultural Monument
Daily, individuals come and go amid the palm timber, strolling on the Fairbanks Garden in a novel ethereal ambiance.
In contrast to most burial grounds, the location can be a cultural occasions heart, holding live shows, film screenings, yoga meditation, and different occasions. Yoga teacher Mary DeCaro typically holds “Kitty Yoga” lessons to lift funds for the Hollywood Endlessly cat colony and FixNation. This 12 months, the cemetery was even designated a historic-cultural monument.
“Sunset in my beautiful kingdom. Photo by @graveyard_girlfriend ⭐️💕🪦🐈⬛”
“Keeping watch over my kingdom. 👑🪦🐈⬛🐢🦢🦆🐿🐟🦚”
Dia De Los Muertos
Through the years, Hollywood Endlessly has develop into a staple of LA tradition, with the “most popular outdoor cinema event in Southern California,” writes Los Angeles Journal.
One annual occasion is the Dia De Los Muertos celebration, the biggest exterior Mexico, which Michelene Cherie helps plan. This 12 months marked the twenty third annual celebration, which lasts for 2 days in November. As individuals get pleasure from celebrating the lives of family members who’ve handed away, it has develop into one of many greatest celebrations within the space.
Under, Shut Up enjoys some perks of all of the festivities.
“I ate brunch on my pretty Dia De Los Muertos plate!”
As you possibly can see, there are numerous causes for guests to return get pleasure from Hollywood Endlessly, together with an “elegant panther.”
“Sometimes I stop to admire my own image. Why not? I’m a very elegant panther! Photo by @ecosherri ⭐️🪦🐈⬛⭐️🪦🐈⬛⭐️🪦🐈⬛”
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