Paranormal Tales ~ Celebrities' Laurel Canyon Haunted Mansions

 

Laurel Canyon

While there isn't a definitive list of haunted houses in Laurel Canyon, the area is known for its haunted reputation, and several notable locations are rumored to be haunted. The Houdini mansion -- the home of Rick Rubin, and even some residences of famous musicians are mentioned in connection with paranormal activity.

Courteney Cox's Laurel Canyon House

She sold this house because she believed it was haunted, as it was the site of several unsettling occurrences.

 (actual photo of Cox's house)

Paranormal experiences:

Cox experienced several unsettling events, including seeing strange faces and lights, and a plant moving, which she initially dismissed as jet lag or sleep-related.

The woman on the edge of the bed:

Friends who stayed at the house told Courteney they had an encounter with a woman who was sitting on the edge of the bed. Cox initially dismissed their claims, as well as those of the legendary singer-songwriter and previous owner Carole King, who told her that an ugly divorce had taken place in the house and that it was haunted.

The UPS driver:

The experience that finally convinced Cox to sell the house was when a delivery driver came to the door. After she answered, he asked if she knew the house was haunted. When she asked why he thought so, he responded, "Because there is someone standing behind you". This chilling encounter was enough for Cox to sell the house shortly after.

A seance with Carole King: 

Cox bought the house from Carole King, who warned her that it was haunted due to a particularly ugly divorce that occurred there. Cox initially dismissed the idea.

Cox mentioned that she and Carole King even conducted a séance in the house to try and get rid of the ghost. However, Cox admits she was too starstruck by King to pay much attention to the séance itself.

These experiences, along with the unsettling feeling she developed after the delivery driver's comment, led Cox to decide she "couldn't sleep there alone ever again" and that it was time to sell the property.

Houdini Mansion

The Houdini Estate in Los Angeles, also known as the Houdini Mansion, is a location with a rich history and a reputation for paranormal activity, including reports of Houdini's ghost. While not confirmed to be Houdini's primary residence, the estate was a place where he spent time, practicing escapes and enjoying the grounds. The property features tunnels, a swimming pool (where Houdini practiced water escapes), and gardens, and has served as a recording studio and event space.

(actual photo of Houdini's mansion)

History:

The estate was built by Ralph M. Walker, a friend of Houdini, who also owned a guest house across the street that Houdini used. Houdini would use the tunnels and elevators connecting the two properties.

Houdini's Connection:

Houdini spent time at the estate practicing escapes and enjoying the grounds. His widow, Bess, even held a seance there after his death.

After her husband, magician Harry Houdini, died on October 31, 1926, his wife Bess held annual Halloween séances for ten years in an attempt to contact him. Before his death, the couple had devised a secret code – "Rosabelle – answer – tell – pray answer – look – tell – answer answer – tell" – which translated to the word "Believe". Bess hoped Houdini would use this code to prove a medium's authenticity if he could communicate from the afterlife.

The séances also served to debunk fraudulent mediums, aligning with Houdini's own efforts to expose spiritualist hoaxes during his lifetime.

In 1929, a medium named Arthur Ford claimed to have received the coded message, but it was later revealed to be a hoax.

Bess's final Houdini séance took place on Halloween in 1936 on the rooftop of the Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood. After ten years of unsuccessful attempts, Bess extinguished a light bulb that had been burning beside Houdini's portrait since his death, saying, "Ten years is long enough to wait for any man." She publicly declared her belief that spirit communication was impossible, marking the end of her quest to contact Harry. 

Paranormal Reports:

There have been reports of ghostly encounters, including sightings of Houdini's ghost wandering the grounds. Some artists recording at the estate have reported strange occurrences, including photographic evidence and temperature fluctuations.

Current Use:

The estate is now available for rent for film shoots, weddings, and other events. It has also been used as a recording studio by Rick Rubin, where many famous bands have recorded albums.

Rick Rubin's Mansion

Producer Rick Rubin's recording studio, known as The Mansion, located in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, has a reputation for being haunted.

(actual photo of Houdini's mansion)

 

Brief history & paranormal experiences:

Built in 1918, The Mansion has a long-standing association with paranormal occurrences.

While recording their album Blood Sugar Sex Magik in the 1990s, the Red Hot Chili Peppers captured a mysterious "wisp of an entity" in a photo taken at the house.

Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers reportedly found the haunting presence comforting, while guitarist John Frusciante claimed to have an erotic experience with a female apparition.Corey Taylor of Slipknot, while recording there, recounted seeing visions of ghosts, including a man in a tuxedo in his bathroom, according to Far Out Magazine.

A publicist for Rick Rubin, Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald, recounted a personal experience of a ghostly woman in white walking down the staircase.

Despite the spooky stories, many prominent artists like Audioslave, Linkin Park, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, and Young Thug have recorded at The Mansion under Rubin's guidance.

Some artists believe that the unique atmosphere and the presence of spirits may even act as a second muse, enhancing their creativity.

The Mansion's basement is connected to a network of tunnels, which were reportedly used to deliver alcohol during prohibition in the 1920s.

 

Other Residences

Various homes of famous musicians, like Joni Mitchell and Frank Zappa, are also rumored to be haunted, though less definitively so. The area's history as a haven for artists and musicians, coupled with its secluded and sometimes mysterious atmosphere, likely contributes to its reputation for being haunted.