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What if the ghost of James Dean haunted an actor's career? Christopher Jones, a man forever overshadowed by his uncanny resemblance to the rebel icon, lived a life that was as electrifying as it was cursed.

Jones's journey through the swinging '60s is a cocktail of passion and paranoia, particularly in his tumultuous relationship with Susan Strasberg.

Throughout the episode, we navigate Jones's on-screen triumphs and setbacks, from his role in the cult classic "Wild in the Streets" to the challenging production of "Ryan's Daughter," which saw director David Lean both frustrated and fascinated by Jones's enigmatic presence. Despite the controversies that hounded him, Jones’s unique charisma left a lasting impression, one that still echoes in the halls of Hollywood lore. Tune in for an exploration not just of a man, but of a myth in the making, a tale of ambition, love, and the spectral shadow of a legend.

Links from this episode:
 
 Find a Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124440739/christopher-jones

National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=domestic_violence

Wild in the Streets on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fozufGZubYc

NY Times Obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/movies/christopher-jones-actor-who-quit-field-dies-at-72.html
 
For a full list of sources for this episode, please visit our Substack at https://substack.com/@deadandkindafamous

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Here, you can find our episodes, transcripts, relevant images and newsletters.

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See us visit the graves of our subjects and pay our respects with lovingly selected offerings.

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Have you ever strolled through a graveyard and felt a sudden wave of curiosity about the people resting beneath the headstones? Especially the one’s featuring a mysteriously unrecognizable yet glamorous headshot? If you’ve ever been to Los Angeles’s most iconic cemetery, Hollywood Forever, then you know the type. And on their new podcast, Dead and Kind of Famous, hosts Courtney Blomquist and Marissa Rivera will be focusing on the graves of the, well… dead and kind of famous folks that are laid to rest there. 

A seasoned actress who’s been in at least half the commercials that flash across your tv, Marissa herself is kind of famous and brings a current industry perspective. Courtney, on the other hand, brings an endless curiosity about Old Hollywood and dead people and the perspective of a complete nobody. 

Get to know them and their impressive (Marissa) and wildly eclectic (Courtney) backgrounds in this brief episode. Hopefully they’ll be your new best friends and guides to making sure that the stories of Hollywood’s dead never die. And if you (like Courtney) aren’t famous, just remember… you’re also not dead yet. 

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Substack- https://substack.com/@deadandkindafamous
Here, you can find our episodes, transcripts, relevant images and newsletters.

Instagram- @deadandkindoffamous
See us visit the graves of our subjects and pay our respects with lovingly selected offerings.

Apple Podcasts and Spotify- Please be a Bon Vivant and leave us a rating and review. It would mean the world!

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Ever wondered what it takes to be dubbed a Hollywood bon vivant? Join us as we kick off "Dead and Kind of Famous" with the eccentric and flamboyant life of Baron Clement von Frankenstein. We'll take you through our amusing adventure in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where we use Find a Grave to track down the baron's final resting place. Marissa and Courtney share their first impressions of his marble tombstone, the origin of his captivating surname, and even improvise an obituary that will leave you in stitches. 

From youthful escapades and inheritance windfalls to a colorful Hollywood career, Baron Clement von Frankenstein's life was nothing if not extraordinary. Learn about his transformation from an English nobleman to a beloved character actor, with memorable roles in everything from "Young Frankenstein" to "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." 

This episode also uncovers Baron Clement's unexpected financial rescue from his nanny, his stint as a singing King Henry VIII in an Anaheim theme restaurant, and his general randy antics. We delve into his acting journey, his off-screen exploits, and his final roles, painting a vivid picture of a man who lived life to the fullest. Whether you're intrigued by his inclusion in People magazine’s list of top bachelors or curious about the drama at his own funeral, this episode promises a rich tapestry of stories you won't want to miss. Cheers to the Baron- the most loveable of friends!

Links from this episode:
Vegan Truffles: https://minimalistbaker.com/2-ingredient-dark-chocolate-truffles/
Baron's find a grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216051539/clement-george_freiherr-von_und_zu_franckenstein
Baron's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clementvon/
The Short Documentary of the Baron by Matthew Ford: https://www.facebook.com/1245812342/videos/10219355947949855/

Sources are listed on Substack at https://deadandkindafamous.substack.com/

Follow us on...

Substack- https://substack.com/@deadandkindafamous
Here, you can find our episodes, transcripts, relevant images and newsletters.

Instagram- @deadandkindoffamous
See us visit the graves of our subjects and pay our respects with lovingly selected offerings.

Apple Podcasts and Spotify- Please be a Bon Vivant and leave us a rating and review. It would mean the world!