Today we’d like to introduce you to Karie Bible.
Hi Karie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Mom and Dad are very interested in history, particularly the Civil War. I spent many childhood vacations going to battlefields, homes and cemeteries around America. It is one thing to learn about history in a classroom setting, but quite another thing to stand on the soil where these events happened. I also fell in love with classic movies as a little girl. The Universal horror films were my gateway drug. I didn’t like Barbie dolls. I liked Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff….as EVERY little girl should. I never lost my passion for history and film. I grew up and got a degree in film and moved to Los Angeles in 2000. I saw Hollywood Forever and fell immediately in love with it. I asked around and they didn’t have a tour guide. I thought “That could be ME!” I met with historian Marc Wanamaker who mentors me and I met with owner Tyler Cassity. He gave me the green light and I’ve been giving tours several times a month since February 2002.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life has been a wild ride and has taken me in so many directions I never could have anticipated. It would take me hours and multiple pages to answer this question. What I will say is that sometimes we have plans, but the universe has OTHER plans. Our dreams can often get delayed and derailed entirely. My Dad is a Marine and he always tells me to “adapt and overcome”. He’s right!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was born on Halloween night, have two different colored eyes and my last name is indeed Bible. I think I was born to be a bit different. I even checked “other” in the box above for lack of a better way to describe myself.
I’ve been leading historic walking tours of Hollywood Forever Cemetery since 2002. I love film history with such a passion and I just try to keep it alive and hopefully interest new and even younger audiences. Sometimes people will text or email me after a tour saying they plan to watch many of the films I mentioned or read up on the stars I discussed. That always makes my day! I also try to debunk myths and make people see the stars in a different light. There is so much more to them than meets the eye. I encourage people to take a deeper, closer look.
Rudolph Valentino is one of my favorite graves and I’ve been a “Lady in Black” since 2002. Every year I place a rose at his grave on the anniversary of his death. The tradition has been happening since 1927. The annual Valentino Memorial Service is the longest-running continual event in Hollywood history.
Many of the residents at Hollywood Forever were innovators, pioneers and the people who helped build the film industry. So many of them have been discarded and forgotten. I try to do what I can to make sure they are remembered. I always say on every tour, “I can show you the graves and tell you stories, but the movies are how they live on.”
Oh and there’s a beautiful black feral cat that I’ve named “Close Up” who basically helps me lead the tours!
I also run his Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/closeupthecemeterycat/
I’ve also co-written the books “Location Filming in Los Angeles” with Marc Wanamaker and Harry Medved and the book “Hollywood Celebrates the Holidays” with Mary Mallory.
During the pandemic, I started a Youtube project called “Hollywood Kitchen”. I collect recipes attributed to movie stars from the teens to the 1960s. I make little videos where I make the recipe and have a special guest on to discuss their life and career, etc.
In my free time, I enjoy sleeping.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Los Angeles so much and for a host of reasons! There are so many creative, vibrant people in this city.
I love the historic architecture, movie palaces, palm trees, weather, history and cultural events. When I’ve heard people say they are bored, I tell them they aren’t trying! There are tons of things to do, see and explore here. It’s endless.
I can see classic film on the big screen almost all the time here! That is a dream come true!
I love living in such a diverse place and meeting people from all over the world. Sometimes my friend Lynn and I go on urban adventures and drive all over town and see where the day takes us. Often we stumble on to something fun and totally unexpected.
What I like least about Los Angeles is the traffic, wildfires and high cost of living. That said, it’s a small price to pay for being able to wear a swimsuit and go to the beach in December.
Contact Info:
- Email: karie.bible@gmail.com
- Website: www.cemeterytour.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cemeterytourguide/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karie.bible/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/filmradar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HollywoodKitchen
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hollywood-forever-cemetery-walking-tour-hollywood
- Other: https://www.hollywoodkitchenshow.com/
Image Credits:
The attached photos are all by portrait artist Diana Lundin. https://www.dianalundin.com/
