
The Haunted Chateau Marmont
Posted: 04.30.2021 | Updated: 02.05.2025
Nestled in the sunny hills of Southern California, the City of Angels is the heart of the film industry. Beneath the iconic Hollywood sign on Mount Lee, legendary studios like Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers tell the stories of countless stars. The famous Hollywood Walk of Fame honors both living and deceased legends, and visitors can even trace the handprints of icons like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
In a city filled with stars, it’s no surprise that some remain long after their spotlight fades. Los Angeles is frequently cited as one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., and the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard is no exception. Known for its rich Hollywood history and the Chateau Marmont deaths, this iconic hotel has become a chilling symbol of the darker side of fame.
One of its most famous tragedies is the death of comedian John Belushi in 1982. Found in his bungalow from a drug overdose, Belushi’s untimely passing added to the hotel’s eerie lore. But the haunting doesn’t stop there. From ghostly sightings to unsettling occurrences, the Chateau Marmont has seen its fair share of supernatural activity. Could the spirits of its famous former guests, like Belushi, still haunt the halls—and perhaps Chateau Marmont Room 64?
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Who Died at the Chateau Marmont?
The Chateau Marmont, an iconic Hollywood landmark, has long been a haven for stars, but its legacy is marked by a darker side—none more haunting than the tragic death of actor John Belushi in 1982. Known for his energetic roles on Saturday Night Live and in The Blues Brothers, John Belushi was found unresponsive in his bungalow at the Chateau Marmont, a victim of a drug overdose. His untimely death cast a shadow over the hotel, transforming it from a glamorous retreat into a symbol of the darker side of fame.
But John Belushi’s death wasn’t the only tragedy to strike the Chateau Marmont. Over the years, the hotel has been linked to several other celebrity deaths, each with their own dramatic stories. With its history of Chateau Marmont deaths, it’s hard to ignore the eerie energy that lingers in its halls. Could this legendary hotel truly be a place of misfortune, or is it simply the backdrop for a larger-than-life narrative? What do you think—does the legend of the Chateau Marmont hold an unsettling allure?
History of Chateau Marmont

Constructed in 1929 at the dawn of the film industry, the Chateau Marmont is one of Hollywood’s most iconic staples. “Chateau” in French means “castle,” and that’s exactly what it looks like, a towering white fortress overlooking the city. The modern-day castle is framed by lush green palm trees and marked by a blazing red neon sign reading Chateau Marmont Hotel.
In the 1920s, Hollywood was drawing in every young starlet and wannabe actor in the country like moths to a flame and found itself increasingly in need of a place to house them. To meet the demand, the hotel was equipped with 63 rooms, including suites, cottages and bungalows, a small restaurant, and a cocktail bar. Architect Arnold A. Weitzman designed the Chateau to be “earthquake-proof,” and his design passed with flying colors when earthquakes rocked LA in 1933, 1953, 1971, 1987, and again in 1994.
In the 1930s, a cluster of quaint Spanish cottages complete with a swimming pool was built beside the hotel and was later acquired by it in the 1940s. This provided guests with not only a pool right outside their rooms, but a lot more privacy. By this time, the hotel had garnered a reputation as a discreet sanctum for Hollywood’s elite. Along with the private cottages and bungalows, the hotel offered exceedingly thick walls and exceptionally well-trained staff who knew not to ask, and more importantly, not to tell.
The Chateau Marmont: A Haven for Hollywood’s Wild Side
During Hollywood’s golden age, the Motion Picture Code tightly controlled how celebrities behaved both on and off-screen. With reputations at stake and rules in place, stars needed a private retreat where they could misbehave without consequences—and the discreet Chateau Marmont was the perfect escape. As Columbia Pictures president Harry Cohn once said, “If you must get into trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.” At the hotel’s poolside cottages, Hollywood’s most famous figures indulged in activities they could never have done in public—drinking, smoking, partying, and engaging in illicit affairs. However, the Chateau Marmont’s glamorous reputation is also haunted by a darker side, with several Chateau Marmont deaths casting a shadow over its storied history.
Some of Hollywood’s brightest screen legends enjoyed stays at the Chateau over the years, and many of them indulged in behavior the Motion Picture Association certainly would not have approved of. Bette Davis, an unparalleled silver screen icon and star of films such as All About Eve and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, was a frequent guest at the Chateau until she nearly burned it down—twice.
Bette Davis, Desi Arnaz, and the Scandalous History of the Chateau
In 1958, Bette Davis stayed at the Chateau Marmont for some rest and relaxation. On her first night, she watched one of her own films, lit a cigarette, and fell asleep. Nearby, actor Lou Jacobi noticed a strange smell and followed it to Davis’s bungalow, where smoke was pouring out. He rushed inside to wake her up, discovering that she had accidentally set the room on fire. The fire was so severe that the entire hotel had to be evacuated. Davis returned to the hotel a few years later, but after another mishap with a fire alarm, she decided never to stay there again.
Other stars, like Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, also used the Chateau for their own secretive getaways. Desi, known for cheating on Lucille, would often escape to the hotel to avoid the public’s eye. One night, after a heated argument, Lucille threw Desi’s briefcase off the balcony, spilling cash all over Sunset Boulevard.
The Chateau Marmont also played a key role in the making of the iconic film Rebel Without a Cause. In 1952, director Nicholas Ray stayed in a bungalow after a fight with his wife. He hosted parties with stars like James Dean and Dennis Hopper and even had an affair with 16-year-old Natalie Wood, the movie’s star.
Today, the hotel still offers luxury and old Hollywood charm but is becoming more exclusive. In 2020, owner André Balazs announced plans to turn the hotel into a private members-only club, catering to guests who prefer privacy over crowds. This shift in business model is in line with the hotel’s original purpose as a safe haven for stars—and perhaps explains why some of them are still said to haunt its halls today.
John Belushi’s Tragic Death
The Chateau Marmont has long been a hotspot for Hollywood’s most infamous and indulgent moments, housing its fair share of famous guests. However, some of these guests checked into the Marmont and never checked out. The hotel has been the unfortunate site of several Chateau Marmont deaths, including comedian John Belushi and photographer Helmut Newton. These tragic events have only added to the hotel’s eerie reputation, making it a place forever marked by the shadows of fame’s darker side.
In March of 1982, Blues Brothers and Animal House star John Belushi arrived for a stay at Bungalow #3. On Friday, March 5th, Belushi’s fitness trainer and part-time bodyguard Bill Wallace arrived at the bungalow to deliver a typewriter and a tape recorder to the actor. Instead, he found Belushi dead at the scene. After struggling with substance abuse for years, Belushi had succumbed to his addiction and overdosed on a cocktail of cocaine, heroin, and a third drug known as a speedball. He was just 33 years old. Hollywood reeled over the tragic loss of the young actor, and fans all over the world mourned his loss.

But some claim John Belushi never left the building. In fact, comedian turned politician Al Franken claims to have experienced an encounter with his late friend at the Marmont. According to Franken, a skeptic himself, he arrived at the Chateau a week after Belushi’s passing and stayed in the very same bungalow. He awoke late at night from a fitful sleep to see the ghostly figure of John Belushi standing over him. “John?” He called out, blinking. But by the time he got his glasses on, John had disappeared.
Chateau Marmont Bungalow #3
The legendary Chateau Marmont has long been a refuge for Hollywood’s most famous stars, but Bungalow #3 holds a particularly dark place in its history. This bungalow is forever linked to the tragic death of comedian John Belushi, who was found dead in the bungalow on March 5, 1982, from a drug overdose. The untimely loss of the Saturday Night Live and Blues Brothers star shocked the world, and Bungalow 3 quickly became a symbol of the darker side of fame.
Guests who have stayed in Bungalow #3 report strange and eerie occurrences—phantom footsteps in the halls, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, and an unsettling feeling of being watched. The bungalow’s close association with Belushi’s tragic death has led many to believe his spirit may still haunt the room, unable or unwilling to leave the site of his untimely passing.
Though Bungalow #3 is still available for guests, its ghostly reputation has made it one of the most talked-about spots at the Chateau Marmont. Whether you’re drawn to the hotel for its Hollywood glamor or its supernatural allure, a stay at Bungalow 3 offers a chilling reminder that the spirits of the past often linger in the places where they met their tragic end.
Helmut Newton’s Fatal Crash and Haunting
On January 3rd, 2004, John Belushi was joined by another famous ghost at the Chateau Marmont. Renowned German-American photographer Helmut Newton was driving back to the hotel when he suddenly lost control of his Cadillac, crashing into the wall of the driveway. He was killed instantly. Many claim that, like Belushi, Newton decided to stick around. The eerie presence of both legends has only added to the hotel’s reputation, which is forever intertwined with Chateau Marmont deaths, as the spirits of its famous guests are said to linger in its halls.
Long-term guests of the hotel claim to have seen a man who looks remarkably like Newton wandering around by the bungalows looking dazed and confused, sometimes bleeding. Others have claimed to hear the click of a camera by the pool. Strangest of all, guests have made complaints of laughter and glasses clinking together late at night, but when security was sent to investigate, no one was there. Perhaps it was just Belushi and Newton, enjoying their extended stay at the Chateau in style.
As it turns out, the hotel’s slogan “always open, always a safe haven,” rings true for the dead as well as the living. The hotel boasts a reputation for fine dining, luxurious rooms, and glamorous guests, some of which still linger behind in its pool-side bungalows. So if you think you’re brave enough, why not stop by for a drink at the Marmont? You might just get to meet a Blues Brother!
Chateau Marmont Room 64: A Hub of Haunting Mysteries
Room 64 is infamous for its eerie reputation and connection to the hotel’s darker history. Over the years, this room has welcomed many high-profile guests, but its unsettling atmosphere has earned it a reputation as one of the hotel’s most haunted locations. Guests who have stayed in Room 64 report strange occurrences, including phantom footsteps echoing in the hallways, chilling cold spots, and disembodied whispers that seem to come from nowhere.
The room’s haunting legacy is especially linked to the tragic death of comedian John Belushi in 1982. Though Belushi’s death occurred in Bungalow #3, the supernatural activity in Room 64—located nearby—has led some to speculate that his spirit may have never truly left.
Those who have stayed in the room often describe restless nights, filled with a disturbing sense of being watched. With its rich history, connection to Chateau Marmont deaths, and persistent paranormal tales, Room 64 stands as one of the hotel’s most chillingly haunted spaces.
For those daring enough to spend a night in this infamous room, Room 64 serves as a haunting reminder that in the glamorous world of Hollywood, the spirits of the past may continue to linger in the shadows.
Haunted Los Angeles
Los Angeles, the heart of Hollywood, is celebrated for its stars, film legacy, and glamorous atmosphere—but beneath the glitz lies a darker side filled with eerie mysteries. One of the most infamous haunted spots in California is the Chateau Marmont, an iconic hotel that has stood as a symbol of Hollywood history for nearly a century. With its connection to numerous Chateau Marmont deaths, the hotel’s eerie reputation has only grown, adding to the chilling allure of this legendary landmark.
Once a glamorous retreat for the elite, the Chateau Marmont’s luxurious design still draws visitors with its timeless charm and storied past. But it’s the hotel’s eerie connection to the supernatural that truly intrigues.
Guests and staff alike have reported strange happenings, from the ghostly presence of former guests appearing in the shadows, to unsettling sounds of footsteps and whispers in the night. With its star-studded history and chilling present, the Chateau Marmont is a must-see for those seeking an unforgettable ghostly encounter.
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Sources:
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Belushi
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/04/hollywood-sign-100-timeline-history
- https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/chateau-marmont-the-story-of-an-la-icon
- http://www.laalmanac.com/disaster/di02.php
- https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/helmut-newton
- https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/secrecy-scandal-and-celebrity-down-at-chateau-marmont/
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