Sometimes we think that a person’s last words are what they say. Actually, sometimes, it’s the words on their tombstones!
I (Dawn) laugh at comedian and voice actor Mel Blanc’s “That’s All Folks,” a much funnier closing line than author and poet Edgar Allan Poe’s “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’” ~ although that makes me smile, too.
Singing legend Francis Albert (“Frank”) Sinatra’s gravestone says, “The Best Is Yet to Come.”
Filmmaker, screenwriter, and producr Billy Wilder’s headstone says, “I’m a Writer, but then Nobody’s Perfect.”
Comedic actor Rodney Dangerfield’s last line is predictable: “There Goes the Neighorhood!”
Hollywood’s Jack Lemmon couldn’t resist one final marquee with “Jack Lemmon in …”
The gravestone for talkshow host and media mogul Merv Griffin says simply, “I will not be right back after this 
message.”
My favorite actor message from the grave, however, is the one by actor Ed (Keenan) Wynn, who was the voice of the Mad Hatter in “Alice and Wonderland” and crazy Uncle Albert in “Mary Poppins.” In spite of all his success, including a Broadway career under the tutelage of the renowned W.C. Fields, Wynn understood who was really responsible for his success. His grave marker bears a prayer ~ “Dear God: Thanks.”
But it’s not just actors who leave parting thoughts, and their words aren’t always so funny.
For example, an epitaph in Thurmont, Maryland, reads, “Here lies an atheist. All dressed up and no place to go.” It’s a grave (pun intended) reminder Continue reading
