October 3, 2024 • 58 mins
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/
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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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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Marissa (00:00):
Season 1, Episode 1.
It begins the beginning.
The beginning.
(00:26):
Hello and welcome to Dead andKind of Famous, where we dig
into the life stories of deadfolks who enjoyed a touch or two
of fame in their time.
And now reside permanently inthe Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Hello, I'm Marissa Rivera and Iknow how to get on and off of
the 110 freeway without dying.
And other than that I knownothing, and I'm Courtney.
(00:49):
Blomquist and I know how to makevegan truffles and really it's
simple.
And they're delicious and noone knows, and I'm not going to
give you the recipe, but I willgive you a lot of information
about today's subject.
No, you should post the recipein the notes, all right, yeah.
(01:11):
Today we are talking about BaronClement von Frankenstein.
Whoa yes.
What a name.
He's got a great name.
Yes, what a name.
He's got a great name, andwe're going to talk about
exactly what we can see on hisgravestone, because that's all
we want Marissa to know.
So I want you, marissa, okay,to look at this grave.
(01:37):
All right, so the image is alittle blurry.
We're on Find a Grave right nowwait, what that's?
an actual, that's a site.
We'll be using it a lot forthis show because it is how you
find graves on the internet andthe exact actual maps.
Because when I'm going, by theway, when we're finding these
people, it's like pretty much mewandering through the hollywood
(02:00):
forever cemetery capturingpictures of what I think is
interesting, basically justbased on people's names.
Or if they have a crazy graveand there's like weird pictures
on it and I don't know anythingthat catches my eye, I'm like
you seem interesting, let's go.
And so this is our firstattempt at that, just so
everyone knows.
But if you go on findagravecomand you're looking for somebody
(02:22):
that we talk about, they willshow you a map of exactly where
to find their grave so that ifyou are looking for it later,
you can find that.
And we will include links toall of this in the show notes.
Wow, I didn't know this exists,it does it?
does.
That's wild.
So you can see what's writtenon it.
Here is what Baron Clement vonFrankenstein's grave says Born
(02:48):
the 28th of May 1944.
Died the 9th of May 2019.
Age 75 years, 11 months and 11days, if you like doing math.
The epitaph reads actor bonvivant, gentleman most lovable
of friends.
Oh, I love that.
(03:10):
Oh, that's really sweet.
Yes, what is a bon vivant?
Courtney (03:16):
It is basically like a lover of life.
Let's see, yes, a person whoenjoys a sociable and luxurious
lifestyle.
Ooh Well, for a baron I wouldexpect no less.
Yes, exactly.
Marissa (03:29):
Okay, so I'm looking at the grave and it looks like
really, really nice marbleMm-hmm.
Courtney (03:37):
There is a picture of him smoking a cigar, mm-hmm,
looking like he's had a few toomany drinks.
Yes, yes indeed.
Looking like he's had a few,too many drinks.
Marissa (03:45):
Yes, yes indeed, staring right at you from his
grave, looking like a bon vivant.
He does look.
He looks hella, bon vivant.
Courtney (03:56):
Yes, exactly.
Marissa (03:57):
Definition of the word.
Courtney (03:58):
And can we talk about the spelling of his name?
Okay, let's do it.
It is Baron Clement vonFrankenstein, but the
Frankenstein is spelled with aCK, not just a K, the way you
would know?
Marissa (04:12):
Oh yes, it is.
It's V-O-N spaceF-R-A-N-C-K-E-N-S-T-E-I-N.
Courtney (04:22):
Yeah, so a little different than what you're used
to.
I don't know what reference youmight be thinking of.
Marissa (04:28):
I don't know.
I don't know.
Courtney (04:29):
Okay, so basically he had a long life and a long name.
That's what we know.
But do you know anything elseabout Baron Clement von
Frankenstein beyond what hisgrave tells us, marissa?
Marissa (04:42):
I don't know, but I'm going to hazard a guess.
Courtney (04:47):
Yeah.
So at this point, this is when,just for all of you and
ourselves, getting used to theformat of the, show you the
ignorant one.
Marissa (04:56):
Me Marissa the ignorant one.
Courtney (04:58):
Yes, will judge the book by its cover, judge the
grave by its cover and improvisean obituary for Baron Clement
von Frankenstein based entirelyon your own judgments and
assumptions.
Yeah, just judge him becausethis is the time.
Okay, and I'll give you a pointfor everything you actually
randomly get right.
Marissa (05:18):
Or close to correct.
Yes, close to correct.
Okay, great, let's see.
Baron clement von frankensteinwas born in 1944 to his mother,
baroness mary janet vonfrankenstein, and father baron
(05:43):
Frank von Frankenstein, and hewas the first of four siblings
two boys, two girls.
He was born in Germany, germany,somewhere in Frankfurt,
(06:03):
actually Germany.
Somewhere in Frankfurt,actually Germany and he realized
from a young age that he had apenchant for entertainment and
always wanted to go to Hollywoodto be a big star.
So as soon as he became of agehe packed everything up, his
measly little belongings,because they came from nothing.
(06:25):
They were a wealthy familybefore, and then they fell
destitute, and since he hadnothing to lose, he ran off to
Hollywood to pursue his dream.
And he did, he did.
He acted in several featurefilms and commercials and was
(06:48):
one of the first improvisers no,no wait, let's roll it back
(07:09):
loved how sunny and beautifulHollywood was and he quickly
became friends with his wholeapartment complex.
His apartment was the apartmentto be at, and all of his
friends man, they all said hewas the most lovable of all of
them and he really did know howto have a good time.
He loved enjoying a cigar aftera hard day's work on set and he
(07:32):
enjoyed life to the fullest.
He never married a bachelortill the end, because he liked
that free lifestyle.
When he passed, he left no oneexcept for his friends.
No family survived him.
His other four siblings hisother three siblings died before
(07:56):
him back in Germany.
Okay, okay, that's it.
That's the end.
That's it.
That was a lot.
Yeah, that was a lot Okay.
Courtney (08:02):
Okay, I want to get into's the end.
That's it.
That was a lot.
Yeah, that was a lot Okay.
Okay, I want to get intoeverything that you did get
right for sure.
Marissa (08:10):
Okay.
Courtney (08:11):
As we get to it.
Marissa (08:12):
Okay, and you can point it out if I don't.
Okay.
Courtney (08:14):
Great, great, great.
All right, but your score, Iwould say, is a four.
Marissa (08:23):
A four that's out of Out of.
Well, Well, I only got fourthings right.
Courtney (08:25):
Yeah, out of all of the facts or lies in your case
that you shared.
Now for the truth and the factsand the real news presented by
me.
This is the point when I wantour guest to introduce himself.
So this is the Baron.
The Baron (08:48):
I'm Clement Baron von Frankenstein.
This is interesting.
There's me with two verygorgeous models and me with a
hard-on.
As you can see, if you have aname Frankenstein, you have to
have a big dick.
Just joking.
Heaven and finest land, youhave to have a big day.
I know it's all right, Justjoking Back in the.
Courtney (09:08):
So, oh my God, there he is.
Oh my God, old Clem.
Old Clem himself.
And for those of you at homewho can't see what we were just
looking at, as you heard,marissa, he was bragging about a
photo of himself as a muchyounger man with two beautiful
models, and, as he mentions, youcan see his erection from
(09:30):
beneath his shorts quite clearly, quite clearly, yes, and this
really is a perfect introductionto this guy.
I feel so fortunate that ourvery first grave that we
stumbled upon is someone thisinteresting.
He really really is.
So I'm going to put a link tothis film that I just played a
little bit of in the show notes.
(09:51):
It's very short.
It was a short, unfinished docmade for him by his friend, the
director, matthew Ford.
It is the perfect introductionto this guy.
It shows him shuffling alongthe Hollywood Walk of Fame in
his signature monogrammedslippers and speaking
compassionately with a JohnnyDepp lookalike actor who's been
sleeping in the park, and thenhe's bragging the next minute
(10:13):
about taking an acting classwith Michelle Pfeiffer when he
just happens to stumble acrossher star on the Walk of Fame.
So, it just happens to oh yeah,it is a delightful little
portrait.
Fame.
So it just happens to oh yeah,it is a delightful little
portrait.
Honestly, I'm not sure if everygrave, every person we focus on
, is going to even be likable,because, like, not all dead
people are cool, you know.
Marissa (10:34):
Well, much like life.
Courtney (10:36):
Yes, yes, dad, or alive Not everybody's cool.
Marissa (10:39):
Not everyone's cool, ok , but people really suck.
Courtney (10:42):
Some people really suck, but Baron Clement von
Frankenstein, he was a cool guyand a very likable guy Part
nobleman, part prolificcharacter actor of small roles
and part dirty old bachelor Dingding ding.
Marissa (10:55):
You were right Ding ding ding.
I knew it, I knew it.
Courtney (10:58):
That's the first point Bachelor till the end, for sure
.
Marissa (11:01):
And we will get into that To for sure, and we will
get into that.
The Baron (11:02):
To the bitter end, like kind of a legendary
bachelor.
Courtney (11:04):
Actually, he was not a household name, but if you were
lucky enough to meet him, youwould not easily forget him, and
that is pretty much whateveryone who had the pleasure of
knowing him said Okay.
Marissa (11:16):
So very memorable character of a man.
Yes, that's awesome.
Okay, where was he born?
Courtney (11:21):
Okay, well, let's get into it.
So when I say he was a noblemanand you picked up on this as
well I don't just mean he was anobleman type.
I know we're in Hollywood, buthe was actually a nobleman.
His name just wasn't Baron,like Donald Trump's son, but he
was an actual nobleman.
Baron Clement von Frankenstein,known more affectionately to
his friends as Clem, was born onMay 28, 1944, at Sunning Hill
(11:46):
near Ascot, berkshire, so inEngland.
Okay, his father and I'm goingto butcher the German names so
hard His father, sir Georg Freervon Unzu, frankenstein, whoa,
had been the Austrian ambassadorin London until 1938.
(12:07):
Okay, so they're Austrian, notGerman, they are Austrian.
Marissa (12:11):
Yes, okay.
Courtney (12:13):
But disgusted by the annexation of the federal state
of Austria into the German Reich, also known, and that event was
also known as the Anschluss.
Again, I'm so sorry.
He renounced his homeland andbecame a british citizen.
Wow, yes and for this he wasknighted, hence the sir title.
Okay, yes.
(12:34):
So shortly after receiving thisfeather in his cap, sir georg
or george it's george without ane on the end, I don't know
Married the much younger EdithaKing or Editha King it's Edith
with an A on the end.
Yeah, and by the time baby Clemcame into the world, his father
(12:55):
was a spry young 66 years old.
Wow, yep, he was named afterhis paternal uncle, who had been
a director of the Munich Opera.
Marissa (13:06):
Oh, so a little bit of creativity runs through his
veins already.
Courtney (13:10):
Yes, and if it wasn't already clear, he's got some
class in those veins as well andalso some intrigue, Though this
claim cannot be entirelysubstantiated.
Oh, I love an unsubstantiatedclaim.
Yes, there are several withthis guy.
Okay, it is believed that MaryShelley had adapted his family
name for her famous novel DrFrankenstein's Monster, after
(13:33):
meeting an ancestor of vonFrankenstein's who was in Geneva
when she was there.
Okay, this is a story that theBaron liked to share a lot.
You know whether it was true ornot.
He liked to talk about it?
Marissa (13:48):
He sure did, and his family was like a lot At all his
parties that he threw at hisapartment.
Courtney (13:52):
Nope, that one's not as far as I can tell.
That one's not real.
He was too fancy for his ownapartment.
I feel like he he went out inthe world.
He was invited to fancy parties.
Marissa (14:01):
He was invited to fancy parties and this was his go-to
story.
Courtney (14:06):
Yes, Okay, for sure.
Shelley, of course, left outthe Vaughn and the C in her
characterization of the name, soit was just Frankenstein, not
Vaughn Frankenstein, like ourdear Baron.
Marissa (14:17):
Dear, dear.
Courtney (14:17):
Baron.
Dear dear Baron.
Many of the tall tales thatsurround this guy are all kind
of in the same category of like.
Do we believe it?
That surround this guy are allkind of in the same category of
like.
Do we believe it?
Do we not believe it?
I want to believe it.
I want to believe this one.
I feel like this is not themost outlandish of the things
that I've heard so far about theBaron.
Okay, what else about the Baron?
Well, okay, so sadly, when Clemwas just nine years old, both
(14:39):
his parents were killed in atragic plane crash.
Their plane had caught fire andcrashed after taking off from
Frankfurt, and the accidentresulted in 44 deaths.
Marissa (14:50):
Oh, that's awful.
It's very sad.
So he was orphaned At nineyears old, really young, oh my
gosh.
So who did he go live with?
Courtney (14:58):
He went to live with some family friends, but there
was some mystique around thewhole crash, according to him as
well.
This is another story he likesto tell in interviews.
Clem has said that there was atheory that a Russian KGB
general on board was defectingon the flight and that sabotage
may have been involved.
But this theory again, wasnever proven.
Marissa (15:20):
Interesting unsubstantiated claim Erin, yes,
wow.
Courtney (15:25):
It's such intrigue.
It's such intrigue, it's suchintrigue.
Yes, and in any case, clem wasin prep school when he received
news of his parents' death andhe was not allowed to attend the
funeral because the schoolthought he was too young to
attend, which is very sad.
That is so sad, and Clemhimself said that this decision
quote really pissed me offbecause the British were so
fucking uptight in those days.
(15:46):
In those days, in all days.
Marissa (15:49):
And I agree with him.
Courtney (15:50):
I mean like he was too young to lose his parents is
the thing.
Marissa (15:53):
Oh, my Way too young.
Courtney (15:54):
But because he did like, let him have a proper
goodbye, Exactly.
Marissa (15:58):
He never got to say goodbye yeah.
Courtney (16:00):
That's so tragic.
Marissa (16:02):
It's so crazy.
That's awful.
Courtney (16:03):
You can't be too young for these things.
I mean, I just brought my babyto the Hollywood Forever
Cemetery where I stumbled acrossthis very grave, so I'm sure
she won't remember it, but Iwish she did.
After his parents' death, clemwas grazed in Gloucester,
gloucester, gloucester.
Marissa (16:24):
Gloucester, gloucester, gloucester, gloucester, damn it
, all right.
Courtney (16:26):
Gloucestershire, gloucestershire, it's like
Worcestershire, I can'tpronounce anything right, close
friends of his parents, and Icould find nothing to indicate
that he had been formallyadopted by the Taylors.
Okay, but he had a goodrelationship with them and
(16:49):
remained very close with hisfoster sister, celia Plunkett,
throughout his life.
Celia Plunkett, yes.
So he did not have siblings, hewas the only kid of his parents
, but he had a foster sister,okay, so, in true posh tradition
, the Baron received hiseducation at Eaton College,
(17:10):
which is an extremelycompetitive and well-known
British boys school.
Sure is, you know of it?
Yes, okay, yeah, it iswell-known.
I didn't know of it, but it iswell-known.
It's in Berkshire, england.
It's for boys age 13 to 18.
So this was like his, for ourcontext, like high school years.
Marissa (17:24):
It's a boarding school.
Courtney (17:25):
Yeah, it's a boarding school.
He seems to have gone to allprep schools and boarding
schools.
I mean, he's a baron down tothe very core, like he is just a
baron's baron.
He is indeed.
Yes, this is just not a typicalHollywood backstory for most
people, I would assume, exceptfor all those royals that are
out here hoofing it and tryingto get those Netflix deals.
(17:45):
From there, he joined the ranksof the Royal Scots Greys, a
cavalry regiment of the BritishArmy, during which time he used
the sex appeal of his uniform toits full extent.
Marissa (17:58):
Oh, watch out, it's the Baron in a uniform.
Courtney (18:03):
He was pretty sexy when he was younger.
I mean, he kind of had like ayoung Rod Stewart if he was a
brunette thing going on, does he?
Do you want to see?
I want to see yes.
Okay, the caption on this photowhere I think he looks like a
young Rod Stewart without blondehair, sort of.
He's got that like we can'ttell how tan he is he looks?
like John Belushi.
(18:23):
Oh, interesting, he's a littlemore chiseled, though, a little
bit more, yeah, yeah, and he haspuka shells on his picture,
which I just realized.
Oh, how embarrassing for him.
Anyway, but it's a caption.
Marissa (18:40):
Hey, those were all the rage in what looks like the
1970s.
Courtney (18:43):
Yeah, 1975.
Marissa (18:45):
And again in the early 2000s?
Courtney (18:47):
Yes, which is so embarrassing for all the people,
all of us, not me.
I didn't ever wear a pick ofshells.
I did that.
You know what?
That's?
Because I.
Marissa (18:56):
I 100% did yes.
Courtney (18:57):
You did, yeah, oh, okay, oh, 100%.
Do you know what, though?
It's more authentic?
That you did because you grewup in Florida and I grew up in
Indiana, and that is just likeinsane to be like it's natural
for me to wear shells around myneck.
No, it's not.
Marissa (19:10):
It's not I just want to clarify I did not do all of my
growing up in Florida.
I'm not a Floridian.
I would just like to put thatcaveat out there.
I do not claim Florida.
Courtney (19:21):
Moving on.
This is unsubstantial, okay,okay.
So yes, we were just talkingabout how he used to sex appeal
of his uniform.
How could you not?
Yes, and this habit of partyingin his full regalia came to
light when he was found in anightclub in Hamburg, germany,
(19:44):
with what several of hisobituaries described as quote
ladies of the town, and I'm notsure if that means that they
were local women or local sexworkers, but that's neither here
nor there.
They're obituaries.
You never know if people aretrying to, you know, throw
somebody a softball or not.
The last softball, the lastsoftball trying to.
(20:05):
You know, throw somebody asoftball or not the last
softball, the last softball,like you know.
But he wouldn't have cared.
That's the thing I think hewould have loved the
mysteriousness Did I pay forthem or not?
Marissa (20:15):
I don't know.
I don't know Depends what storyI tell you tonight at this
party.
Courtney (20:20):
Exactly.
The point is his reputation asa naughty playboy was taking
shape in defense of his badhabits.
During this time, clem isquoted as saying I was very much
a soldier's officer.
I would have been fine in a war, but I was lousy in peacetime.
So he was basically like Iwould have.
(20:43):
I'm a man.
I'm a man's man.
I would have occupied my timewith important things like war
had there been a war, but sincethere wasn't, I just decided to
fuck a bunch of people.
Marissa (20:54):
I've decided to occupy my time with a bunch of women.
Yeah, to occupy women.
Courtney (21:04):
Clem was also pretty lousy with money.
He loved to gamble and have agood time, and this led him to
breezing through his inheritancebefore he ever hopped across
the pond to Hollywood.
Marissa (21:15):
Wow, and if there was ever a town that you needed an
inheritance?
Oh yeah, oh man, that wouldhave gone so far here, totally.
Courtney (21:24):
It's such a boon to be a trust fund kid here, truly so
.
He lost that chance and he waspretty broke for a stretch of
years and made ends meet workingfor nightclub owner Harry
Meadows, who apparently hadseveral well-known nightclubs in
Britain, until, in anunexpected and ironic twist, his
(21:45):
nanny left him a legacy.
Marissa (21:48):
What.
Courtney (21:49):
Yes, so his nanny left him money in her will.
Marissa (21:53):
What?
Yes, and this detail His nanny.
Wait, his nanny, that his, likefoster parents had.
Courtney (22:00):
It would have had to been unless it was his nanny
from his earlier years, which Iguess it could have been either
way.
I mean, he was nine when helost his parents.
I didn't find that what era shewas from or if he had the same
nanny the whole time.
It's the only detail about thenanny I could find.
Do we have a name?
Marissa (22:13):
No, Just this mysterious.
Courtney (22:15):
Just the mysterious nanny.
Marissa (22:16):
Just a mysterious benefactory?
Yeah, what's the word?
What's the word Benefactor?
Yes, this mysterious benefactorOf the Baron, of the Baron who
also wiped his ass at some point.
Courtney (22:31):
Yes, yes, which is bizarre, and I feel like that
detail only makes sense to me ifI imagine that the nanny is
Fran Drescher, and I think thatthe reason that makes sense is
because she married the likefather of the children she was
watching.
So really, she would just begiving them his money, exactly
which makes sense.
That's how my brain works.
Marissa (22:55):
I am sorry oh my gosh, but the reality is is that this
woman was not married into thefamily, she just no, okay.
No, ok, she just left himsomething.
So he did come to Hollywoodwith some money he did.
Courtney (23:08):
Yes, wow.
And after his tenure as asoldier he went to study opera
for three years Whoa OK, so hecould sing.
Marissa (23:17):
He can sing.
I mean sang, yeah, that isopera is very intense, right,
and he did it for three years.
Courtney (23:24):
He did ask his teacher when tenors get good, because
apparently he was a tenor, whichis like a little surprising to
me after hearing his voice.
The Baron (23:31):
Yeah.
Courtney (23:31):
You know, I thought he would be a, not a bass, but a
baritone, baritone.
Marissa (23:36):
Yeah, bear in the baritone, bear in the baritone.
If only he could have been somuch better.
Courtney (23:42):
But I guess maybe he just I think he smoked a lot.
To be honest, I think we'reseeing him talk like later in
his life yeah, so earlierearlier, before the tobacco had
gotten Right.
Marissa (23:52):
He had a lovely resonant voice.
Courtney (23:56):
A lovely tenor, a lovely tenor.
So he asked his teacher whentenors get good?
So I guess he was having somedoubts about his ability, and
the teacher said that they don'treally get good until age 34.
Marissa (24:10):
What an arbitrary age.
First of all, Very specific.
Courtney (24:13):
That feels like a voice teacher thing to say,
though, to be honest.
Yeah, because you grew up doingvoice yes, and so I think that
that, yeah, I remember someonetelling me like you don't have
to worry about like your voicenot being good until 36.
So I guess for women it's theopposite which makes sense.
Marissa (24:31):
As women, we do lose our value as we age.
So that totally makes sense.
Fade away slowly but time out34 specifically, that's what his
teacher told him, and not 35.
Courtney (24:44):
34.
Marissa (24:45):
That's very interesting .
Courtney (24:50):
I don't know.
Think that that feels like apersonal thing to say, like
where the teacher was, like Ididn't feel like anything came
together for me until I was 34.
Marissa (24:58):
Yeah, me speaking as a tenor and your teacher.
Courtney (25:01):
That's like a very yes .
Just I don't know.
Voice teachers are Not tooffend any voice teachers Not to
offend any voice.
They're a little self-absorbed,so.
Marissa (25:13):
Well dang, that's a very large, blanket statement.
Feel free to be offended.
I feel offended on your behalf.
Courtney (25:19):
I think, when you have your own experience, it's hard
not to speak from your ownexperience.
It could happen to anybody.
That's very true.
Marissa (25:25):
So we're assuming his teacher was also a self-absorbed
tenor who only got good at age34.
Courtney (25:35):
I mean, how would he have those specifics otherwise?
It's true, it doesn't feel likesomething that would be in a
book or be backed up by any formof science or anything like
that, the science of song.
So, getting this news, theBaron said, quote fuck that.
And decided to abandon hissinging pursuits for an acting
career in Hollywood because hedidn't want to wait.
Marissa (25:58):
Wow, he said, fuck that , I'm hopping across the pond.
That's what he did.
Yes, so it was 19.
Courtney (26:04):
With his nanny inheritance.
With his nanny inheritance,yeah, assuming you didn't blow
all of it on studying opera,which you know.
He was probably still gamblingduring that time.
I don't have exact financialrecords, but we assume he had
some money from his inheritance.
It was 1972 when Clem arrivedin California, but it was not in
Los Angeles where he firstfound work, but in Anaheim where
(26:25):
he was hired to play a singingHenry VIII in a Tudor-themed
dinner theater experience called1520 AD called 1520 AD what I
was expecting you to Disneyland.
Marissa (26:41):
I was expecting you to go Disneyland and we just turned
a hard left to move you in time.
Courtney (26:47):
Not just the outskirts of Hollywood, this man, the
outskirts of Anaheim.
Marissa (26:53):
That's where we are, and just so you people know.
So this was like the off offoff Broadway of Anaheim.
That's where we are, and justso you people know.
So this was like the off offoff Broadway of.
Courtney (26:59):
Anaheim yes, and I did find a little bit about this
place.
It was a review for after hewas employed by this theater.
But it gave me an idea of theexperience.
But what we can assume is thatClem could be found there in the
main role, because that's themain role for this, I mean so.
He played the king.
He played the king and he couldbe found singing I'm Henry VIII
(27:22):
, I am and Danny Boy, whilediners banged metal spoons on
their table to get the attentionof their waitress, or in the
you you know terms of thisparticular establishment, wench
so wow, yes, their, their tablewench would come.
When they banged things on thetable, they bang, bang, bang.
(27:45):
I want my wench, yes, and theydidn't even say like here, wench
, and like have someone comeover, which would feel very
disrespectful.
It's like you don't evendeserve for me to give you any
kind of name at all.
I'm just going to bang a metalspoon on a table until you
decide.
Marissa (27:59):
Until my needs are met.
Courtney (28:00):
Yeah, until my needs are met and you figure out that
I'm talking to you.
So that's how that place worked.
Marissa (28:07):
Wow, okay, so this was Clem's first day job.
Courtney (28:12):
Yes, in California.
Marissa (28:14):
In California.
Yes, Exactly.
Courtney (28:15):
He found some other interesting ways to make money.
If you can interpret this nextclip, I'm going to play for you
the way I'm interpreting it.
It's a little bit hard toidentify his exact verb here.
Okay.
The Baron (28:34):
Back in the 70s, $100 a day was quite a lot.
So I was broke and they'd giveyou $100 a day to roll around in
bed with this girl with a hugeboob.
So I thought, why not?
It was fun, you know.
Courtney (28:45):
So I can't tell.
And there's one paper thatquoted him as saying that he
would pay $100 a day when he wasbroke to roll around in bed
with a woman with huge boobs.
But I don't think that makesany sense, because if they're
saying he's broke, he would getpaid to roll around.
Do you want to listen again?
Marissa (29:04):
Yeah, I want to hear it again.
All right, hold on.
The Baron (29:07):
If you have an amfranis line you have to have a
big dick, big dick.
Back in the 70s, $100 a day wasquite a lot.
So you know it was broke andthey'd give you $100 a day to
roll around in bed with thisgirl with a huge boob.
So I thought, why not?
It was fun, you know.
Courtney (29:23):
They gave you $100 a day to roll around.
Marissa (29:27):
In bed with a woman with a huge boob.
I think he's talking about hisco-star, like the co-star that
he was the woman he was with oneof the women he was with for
this show oh no, boobs, theygive, they give, he said.
He said they.
They gave me 100 a day to rollaround they did.
Courtney (29:46):
He did say that so, so I'm where I have this story
lined up.
Is not like he's not talkingabout working at that restaurant
in this video?
Okay, in that interview beforethis point.
Okay, so this is just himtalking about being in
california in the 70s so it'sthe same time period but he was
like whatever job I got it'slike 100 bucks a day.
(30:08):
Yeah, he was like I was broke.
Sometimes I would I that whatI'm hearing.
Marissa (30:12):
OK, is what is the Baron telling you?
Courtney (30:17):
What I think makes sense and what I think he's
saying is when I was broke, Iwould take a hundred bucks a day
to roll around in bed with awoman with huge boobs and it was
fun, so I didn't care.
To me that's someone saying Idid porn and I'm not ashamed.
Marissa (30:39):
That's what I'm hearing .
The Baron was a sex worker.
Courtney (30:41):
I think that the Baron was.
That's what I'm hearing.
Yes, ok.
Marissa (30:44):
Well, you're the, you're the gal with the
information.
I mean, I don't know, that'swhat you got from it then.
Courtney (30:48):
That's the clip.
That's the only reference tothis.
And he is not.
He is a mumbler, so it's hardto uh tell exactly, but I heard
that they would give you ahundred dollars a day is the
verb.
I heard like they'd give themto give you a hundred dollars a
day yeah, something like thatbig boobs that's what I heard.
(31:11):
Yeah, so I againunsubstantiated information, but
uh, that's what I think.
I think you did some porn.
I think the baron did some porn.
Oh, baron yes cheeky, cheekybaron cheeky old clem showed
some cheek for a check, wow, buteventually.
(31:34):
Eventually the Baron started towork for real and get booked on
a regular basis, though he wastechnically uncredited.
One of the Baron Clement vonFrankenstein's first roles was,
ironically, in Mel Brooks' 1974spoof Young Frankenstein.
Marissa (31:53):
You know, he only got hired because of his last name.
You know that the producerswere like, oh, wouldn't it be so
funny to have this.
Or Mel Brooks himself, honestly, or Mel Brooks himself.
Courtney (32:06):
yes, we were like that's hilarious.
Marissa (32:08):
Hire this guy.
Courtney (32:09):
Yes, and so he's not actually credited, but according
to IMDb, his part was that ofthe quote villager screaming at
the monster from the bars Idon't know if those are like
drinking bars or behind barsVery vague, but that was his
part and it is easy to imagine,as you were just saying, him
(32:29):
charming casting directors.
He's clearly very charming, evenjust in the clips you can hear
with his lore and trying to getin that way, because he did like
to tell that story.
And despite the small part hemust have made a good impression
on Mel Brooks because he wascast again almost 20 years later
in his 1993 film Robin Hood Menin Tights as the royal
announcer.
Oh, wow, yeah.
(32:51):
So that's kind of like that's along game, that's a long
relationship, wow yes.
Marissa (32:54):
So that's kind of like that's a long game, that's a
long game relationship.
Wow yes, he networked the shitout of Mel.
Courtney (32:58):
Brooks yeah, he did.
Marissa (32:59):
He was like remember me , the Baron von Frankenstein and
Mel Brooks was like ah yes, Ido, you are quite unforgettable.
Courtney (33:07):
You are quite unforgettable.
You are lovable andunforgettable, as all of your
friends say.
So when he was credited, Clemoften chose to drop his title
from his name so as not to beintimidating.
Marissa (33:18):
So you'll often Wow, thank you.
Courtney (33:20):
Thank you so much.
She's like I deserve.
Listen, I know that you shouldbow to me, but I will not
require it.
Marissa (33:29):
In fact, I will hide this fact.
In fact, I will hide the factthat I am royal adjacent.
You're welcome as to maintain aveneer of professionalism.
Courtney (33:48):
Yes, he's had a few drinks before this audition.
Exactly exactly that tracks.
Marissa (33:52):
Whilst on this, mel Brooks set.
Courtney (33:56):
Yes, yes, yeah, he would drop his title.
You'd often see him on the castlist simply as Clement von
Frankenstein, so he's creditedmany times that way.
If you are looking for theBaron's credits note, that is
how they are often presented.
And on that note, he had noexpectations of friends using
his title because, again, he wasa humble Baron.
(34:17):
But a certain Austrianbodybuilder always followed
decorum, as Clem said himself.
I rarely use my title in LA,but Arnold always calls me Baron
.
Marissa (34:31):
Oh, my God, Perfect Just casually slipping in oh
yeah, God.
Courtney (34:34):
Perfect.
Marissa (34:35):
Just casually slipping in.
Courtney (34:37):
Oh yeah, arnold Schwarzenegger, he's first name
only, by the way, the biggestname dropper, wow.
Yes.
Throughout his career, clem'scasting was varied, but after
reviewing his resume, I definehim as a tarnished silver spoon.
He was classy, but he was alsounmistakably grimy.
(34:59):
That tracks, yes, that tracks.
It does Much like his own name.
His higher class charactersoften had some sort of title.
For instance, he was cast as alord more than once, which
actually could be the title fora baron as well.
Marissa (35:12):
Yeah.
As well as doctors, doctors,commissioners, colonels and
judges so he was typecast aslike either a lord or like a
white collar yes, like somebodywho had some level of like
gravitas or reverence to them alittle bit, got it okay um this
makes sense for the baron?
Courtney (35:31):
yes, I think so, and when he was playing a lower
class character, because he alsodid that.
Marissa (35:37):
Oh, he's got range.
Courtney (35:38):
He's got range.
Marissa (35:38):
The Baron's got range.
Courtney (35:41):
His roles usually contained at least some level of
that same gravitas or elegancestill so.
For instance, he often playedannouncers, maitre d's and
butlers.
Marissa (35:53):
Okay, yes.
Courtney (35:55):
But somewhat unsurprisingly, he was also
convincing as a sleaze and a cad.
You had to really stretch forthose roles, oh yeah, yeah,
absolutely Like the time heplayed a Danish pervert on an
episode of Californication thatwas aptly titled Perverts and
Whores.
That was aptly titled Pervertsand Whores.
(36:17):
Basically, if I had to compareClem to a cocktail, he'd be a
filthy martini made with topshelf gin.
Classy but a little gross.
Marissa (36:27):
Oh, I love that.
Courtney (36:32):
Yes, Now, although he himself, I think, preferred
cognac but you know that's awannabe move Clem Does.
Marissa (36:38):
He Is that, yes, oh.
He did prefer cognac, that is afact, yes, Well, he likes.
Courtney (36:43):
I know from the documentary that I've referenced
that you all should watch.
He drinks a sidecar atHollywood's oldest bar, which is
a treat for him.
He said but then what'sHollywood's oldest bar?
I don't know this.
You know what?
I don't know.
We'll put it in the show notes.
I don't remember, but it wasbecause it's just in the video
he drinks it in hollywood'soldest bar.
Marissa (37:02):
Okay, I just googled it really quick.
The oldest bar in la is theking eddie saloon, which opened
in 1906.
Courtney (37:13):
Hmm, Try oldest restaurant.
Marissa (37:15):
Okay, the old, hollywood's oldest yeah.
Courtney (37:19):
Restaurant.
Marissa (37:19):
Restaurant Musso and Frank.
That's it Okay.
Courtney (37:23):
Yes, that's the one I knew.
It began with an M.
Marissa (37:26):
Proudly serving Hollywood since 1919.
Courtney (37:29):
Okay, so the oldest bar is a little older than the
oldest restaurant is what weknow yeah, so he was drinking at
.
Marissa (37:35):
The oldest bar is a little older than the oldest
restaurant, is what we know.
Courtney (37:36):
Yeah, so he was drinking at the oldest
restaurant, yeah, and thenthere's pictures like this on
his Instagram, with an emptybottle of cognac and a
half-burned cigar outside ofwhat I'm assuming Not a bottle,
a glass, an empty glass of?
Marissa (37:48):
Okay yeah?
Courtney (37:49):
And I think this is from in the documentary you can
see like what the exterior ofhis apartment looked like.
So he did live in an apartment.
He did live in an apartment.
He lived in an apartment since1981, I believe.
So he lived there for almost 30years I think actually just
about 30 years and rented fromthe same friend for a long time.
So I feel like you got thatdetail.
Marissa (38:07):
I did.
Courtney (38:08):
Because he was friends with everyone in his apartment
building which was pretty muchjust his landlord, because it's
just like a building with anapartment on top.
Okay, but like I think thelandlord lives underneath.
Marissa (38:17):
I was right.
Yes, I was right.
Courtney (38:19):
Another point for me yes, but yeah so he preferred
cognac, but I thought he was adirty martini.
I think I'm right.
Fight me, clem Ope, you can't,you're dead.
Marissa (38:35):
Anyway, just kidding, love you.
Courtney (38:35):
Just kidding, we respect everyone.
He would appreciate it.
He would appreciate it.
He makes fun of himself.
Over the course of his 40-yearcareer, some of his roles were
notable.
For instance, he played SenatorSestimus Amidius in the Coen
Brothers film Hail Caesar.
Alongside George Clooney, heshared scenes with him, yes film
.
Hail Caesar alongside GeorgeClooney.
(38:55):
He shared scenes with him andhe is often remembered as
France's head of state,president D'Astier, in Rob
Reiner's 1995 film the AmericanPresident.
But he also had roles that weremore on the nothing end of the
spectrum.
Don't we all Yep, like the timehe played a corpse in Murder?
She Wrote it was a corpse witha name, but it was still a
(39:17):
corpse.
It was still a dead body.
Yep, oh my gosh, he played thevictim.
He played the victim.
I think the whole episode wasbuilt around his death, which is
like that feels bigger, I guess.
But also he played a dead body.
So, but Clem didn't.
He didn't turn up his nose atany role and he prided himself
in being a working actor.
So if you asked him to playdead, the Baron was going to
(39:39):
fucking play dead.
Marissa (39:40):
Oh my God, me and Clem have so much in common.
Courtney (39:42):
Yes, take the money, take the money.
Take the money, work on setAbsolutely, and this resulted in
an IMDb resume that topped outat 128 credits.
Marissa (39:55):
Wow, so I mean some of them are like what is that?
Courtney (39:58):
And other ones you know it, yeah, you know, so it's
impressive.
Marissa (40:02):
I think it's impressive .
We're a steadily working actorFor 40 years.
I mean goals, I think right,yeah, I bet he qualified for
insurance.
Courtney (40:10):
I'm sure he did.
If you look at this IMDb, it islengthy, it is long.
This is his credits.
Marissa (40:17):
Wow, I want to see his headshot.
Courtney (40:21):
Is there a headshot on there?
Marissa (40:23):
Yeah, okay, this might be a headshot.
It might be.
I mean, he's not looking at thecamera, it's black and white.
It's black and white, but blackand white was the standard for
a while for the longest timeactually and he's wearing a suit
and he's gazing.
He's gazing off.
Courtney (40:42):
Into the sunset.
Yeah, he's really, he'scontemplative.
He's contemplative Hundred, andhe's not a bad looking man, no,
he's not.
I mean he, he sort of like hegained weight later and you know
, you can see that, but he hewas, he always had a presence,
for sure, and he had, yeah, thishuge.
What was his last credit, hislast credit Interesting?
(41:02):
His last credit?
His last credit interesting,you should ask is a film called
Starfucker, with an asterisk forthe?
U, that features a lot ofpeople who are like playing
themselves, and Andy Dick was init playing himself.
(41:27):
And so was oh my God, it'sNicolas Cage's son.
Marissa (41:28):
Weston Cage Coppola, who I did not know was a person
I did not know that either, andhe looks like.
Courtney (41:38):
He looks like Nicolas Cage's son in the.
Marissa (41:39):
I mean look at him.
He's got those like icy blues.
We are side barring.
We're side barring really hard.
Courtney (41:43):
But like, yeah, I mean you asked about the last credit
and I already went down thisrabbit hole, so I just wanted
you to know.
I'm kind of just priding myselfabout the fact that I didn't
talk about how, in YoungFrankenstein, the monster was
played by the same guy whoplayed Frank Barone in Everybody
Loves Raymond.
Oh yeah, that was him.
I was like what I did?
(42:04):
Know that?
Marissa (42:04):
I did know that.
I did know that, yes.
Courtney (42:06):
But, as I think I've already made evident, his life
off screen was far moreinteresting than any of the
roles he played, and the storiesof his antics often preceded
him.
Clem was a dear friend to manyin Hollywood and, as you might
expect from someone with such apedigree, he ran in some elite
circles.
Ooh, ooh.
Marissa (42:27):
Yes.
Courtney (42:33):
Many of his obituaries mentioned that he was a
longtime member of the Hollywoodand Beverly Hills Cricket Club,
playing on an improvised pitchunder the Hollywood sign with
Mick Jagger, hugh Grant andJulian Sands.
So Hugh hello team.
Yes, he was not at the level alot of the people he was friends
with I think he was just one ofthese people who was such an
interesting guy that no oneminded having him around.
(42:54):
No, he got invited to stuff too, like they've.
Definitely people wanted to behis friend.
Marissa (42:58):
That's the impression I want to be his friend why he
seems so great.
Courtney (43:03):
But perhaps the most treasured aspect of being clem's
friend were the stories you'damass in the process.
For instance, these are myfavorite once he ran into
friends after being stood up fora date and had an impromptu
dinner with them, but it soonbecame clear that he had already
popped a viagra in anticipationof the date.
(43:23):
Oh, my God, and I love thatthese stories show up in, like
all of his obituaries, which isso funny to me.
It's like everyone's like.
This is what I'm going to talkabout now that you're dead.
Marissa (43:40):
Oh, my God.
That's so funny I know, Imaginehaving a raging heart on while
you're just having dinner withyour friends.
Nope, nothing's wrong, littlelightheaded.
Courtney (43:52):
I'm fine.
Another popular story aboutClem that I only half understand
is that, quote poor innocentdrank the contents of a bottle
of Spanish brandy that Clem hadused to sterilize himself after
enjoying some sexual deviancesin Tijuana.
So what I can imagine, that hethought he was sterilizing
(44:16):
himself by, like, dumping theSpanish brandy on his dick.
Right, that's how you would.
Marissa (44:22):
That's how I interpret this.
Courtney (44:24):
That's not also something you should do?
I mean, I hope no one'slistening to this podcast for
medical advice, but pretty surethat, please don't.
Pretty sure that doesn't work.
But also so, if someone drankthe contents of that bottle and
they're saying the story likeit's so gross, does that mean
that he like, saved it and thenput it back in the bottle to
reuse, to sterilize himselfagain?
(44:45):
Oh God, just what do you think?
Marissa (44:47):
Because I really Well, he clearly brought that bottle
from Tijuana back into.
Courtney (44:54):
California, and he was like this has to be used again.
I don't want to waste any moreliquor on this, so let's just
reuse this.
Put it in one of those littlelike cat bowls, that or no, like
fountains, that filters water,just keep it going yeah, just
keep it going.
Marissa (45:09):
That's right and you can say what you want about the
Baron, but he's a waste, notwant, not kind of a guy.
Courtney (45:16):
He knows what he's been wealthy, but he also knows
what it's like to be broke.
The Baron (45:20):
He doesn't waste liquor.
Marissa (45:21):
He doesn't.
Courtney (45:27):
So he's got his drinking brandy and his dick,
brandy and then some poorinnocent girl.
It just said poor innocent, soit could have been a guy, we
don't know.
Somebody drank it.
Okay, I assumed it was a girl.
I mean, who knows, who knows itcould have been, we don't know.
So here's another cute story.
One of Clem's friends recountedthat when he was formally
announced as the Baron Clementvon Frankenstein upon entering
(45:51):
the Viennese opera ball at theBeverly Wilshire again fancy
party.
OK, fancy party means name ofthat monster, and at that point
the Baron turned to her andbellowed my dear madam
(46:16):
Frankenstein was the doctor, andhe later shared in confidence
with his friend that the loudwoman's red dress made her look
like a quote London bus, Dang,scathing bus, scathing, scathing
(46:38):
, baron, sick burn, clem, sickburn.
And when it came to his lovelife, which we've been dancing
around so far, we sure have, yes, the baron's exploits were
expansive, but he never chose tosettle down, as we have
discussed.
Yeah, he was a lover of allwomen, though, and he stated
once in an interview that I'vehad quite a few interesting
girlfriends.
I like women of all colors,white and black and brown.
Marissa (47:02):
Any color of the way, as long as there's a hole, I'm
in it to win it.
But any color of the way, aslong as there's a hole, I'm in
it to win.
Courtney (47:06):
Oh yeah, he loved women, for sure, but he has
preferences OK.
So he had very taste, but hehad his preferences, and he said
specifically that he waslooking for a woman who was over
40, smart, independent andbuxom.
Oh yes, he clearly was a tittyboy.
Yes, and he went on to say Ican't abide skinny, stupid women
(47:30):
.
Marissa (47:31):
So he must have felt he wouldn't have liked you then,
Courtney.
Courtney (47:37):
No, I know I'm just a fangirl.
I'm not his wife of choice, butnobody was.
Marissa (47:44):
Nobody could meet his standards.
No one could meet his standards.
Courtney (47:46):
She could be any color of the rainbow, but she had to
be buxom and she had to be smart.
That was his requirement, andhe also warned that any woman
who kicked off the conversationwith a Frankenstein joke was
destined for the reject bin hewas not amused by that.
He thought that was a cheap shot.
He was not amused by that.
He thought that was a cheapshot.
Funnily enough, in 2001, clemmade it onto the People
(48:09):
magazine's list of America's top50 bachelors.
Oh my God, can you imaginereading that list?
There's all these names yourecognize.
I think, like Josh Hartnett wason the same list or something,
and then it's like which in 2001was you know?
That was that was, that was theshit.
Yeah, he was the shit, he wasthe shit.
And then baron clement.
Marissa (48:32):
I wonder if, I wonder if he was 50th.
Courtney (48:34):
I want to know the rank, I want to know the right,
I know it's it's surprising, butI think it delighted him.
He was very excited about thatI could imagine so yes to be on
any hot anything list.
Marissa (48:48):
Totally, I'd also be ecstatic.
Oh my god he was.
Courtney (48:51):
He was so into it, um, but, but nobody met his
standards.
And he had actually mentionedthat he wanted to pass his title
on, which is hilarious to me,because I think he's been like I
don't have a title for hiswhole life.
And then he's like now I want topass my title on of and I,
honestly, being a baron, it's ifyou look it up it's or a lord,
it's like the lowest nobilityit's.
I mean not to look, I don'thave any nobility.
(49:12):
I'm not trying to, you know,hate on his nobility, but it's
not like he's not like the kingof England, obviously, because
that just happened and his nameis Charles.
Marissa (49:30):
Oh gosh, side note the pictures from the coronation.
Those crowns have to bereworked.
Oh my gosh, everyone looksfucking miserable to be there.
Courtney (49:42):
It's not a glamorous event.
You know, he's not a young king, by any means no.
Marissa (49:48):
By any stretch of the imagination.
Courtney (49:50):
Nobody cares anymore.
Really truly, meghan, tore itdown.
Marissa (49:56):
Like the American she is.
Courtney (49:58):
Yes, she was like this is not the shit anymore and we
were like, ok, you're right,you're right, meghan, you're
right.
And we were like okay.
Marissa (50:04):
You're right.
You're right, megan, you'reright.
Courtney (50:06):
But still, the only woman who ever had a
longstanding presence in hislife was his beloved cat
Tallulah.
Marissa (50:14):
Tallulah, I love that name.
Yes.
Courtney (50:17):
She's so cute.
She's on his Instagram too.
I'll show you Tallulah, and shedied just two months before he
died.
Marissa (50:27):
I wonder if he died from a broken heart.
Courtney (50:30):
Look at, this is him and Tallulah.
Marissa (50:32):
Oh my gosh.
So right now we're looking athis Instagram.
Courtney (50:36):
Yes.
Marissa (50:37):
And it's a photo of him in aviators holding Tallulah,
who is a white yeah, mostlywhite.
She's got a few tan spots Withblue eyes.
Courtney (50:47):
She's got a few tan spots.
Marissa (50:47):
A few tan spots with blue eyes.
She's a gorgeous little lady.
Courtney (50:50):
And he shared information about her.
He gave a eulogy.
He gave a eulogy, yes, okay.
And he lovingly said Tallulahhas been my rock for 18 years.
An actor's life is an emotionalroller coaster full of hills
and valleys.
Oh my God, costures just thesame.
Better than any other pet I'veever had, she was the greatest
(51:12):
cat.
Marissa (51:28):
Oh, my God.
Courtney (51:31):
So really the love of his life was Tallulah for sure.
Marissa (51:34):
For sure.
Tallulah is rapidly becomingthe love of my life.
Courtney (51:37):
Goodness gracious Tallulah is what every actor
needs.
That's really what he's saying.
Marissa (51:41):
Yeah, you need an emotional support animal to be
in this game.
Goodness gracious, I myselfhave one.
Courtney (51:49):
Yes, an emotional support animal to be in this
game.
Marissa (51:50):
goodness gracious I myself have one, yes, two, two
one that qualifies and one thatis legally my emotional support
animal?
Courtney (51:54):
yeah, one, that one that gets to go on the plane oh
my gosh, but I love tolu la.
Marissa (51:58):
I love old, old women, old people.
Names for for animals is thebest.
Courtney has a cat namedEleanor and then her second cat
is named Ralphie.
Courtney (52:09):
Ralph, ralph who is now Wreck-It Ralph, because he
broke a lot of my dishes theother day by knocking the whole
drying rack off of the counter.
But yes, I love, I also lovethose names.
Marissa (52:21):
I love it, and my dog's names are Trudy and Gus.
Courtney (52:26):
Yes, which is very fitting for them.
We will share pictureseventually as well, of all the
animals, of all the fur babies.
Yes, right, and to finish hisstory off, the last Baron
Clement von Frankenstein talltale occurred at his funeral and
I fucking love this.
I want to quote his obituaryfrom the times.
(52:50):
Exactly okay, because theyrecount it perfectly okay, at
the start of his funeral, awoman in her 20s, matching von
frankenstein's requisite which,as we've discussed sidebar is
being buxom and smart and smart.
So at the start of his funeral,a woman in her 20s, matching
von Frankenstein's requisitesand known to his friends, placed
(53:12):
herself in the front pew.
Then another arrived andannounced it was she who was
Clem's girlfriend, something ofa contra-tempts.
Contra-tempts ensued and thenthis whole obituary ends with
well, nobody's perfect.
Basically, we all think he hadtwo girlfriends in their 20s and
(53:37):
that they both were at thefuneral fighting over which one
of them was his actualgirlfriend, which is like such a
dramatic way to end your life.
I mean, what a play.
It to the end, absolutely, clem.
Just he was such a dirtybachelor.
Up until the very end he was.
He was truly like confusing theladies right until he was all
(54:00):
the way out death's door.
Wow, so, wow, clem.
That has uh been the story ofbaron clement von frankenstein,
and if you'd like to pay yourWow, wow, clem, it's very close
(54:22):
to the Johnny Ramone grave.
For those of you who need anobvious reference point,
(54:49):
no-transcript oh, such a sweetguy, wow.
Marissa (54:59):
And for those of you who want to internet stalk him,
his instagram handle is clementvaughn.
Clement vaughn yes, um, I wantto see what his last picture is.
Courtney (55:11):
That yeah, this is almost it.
Marissa (55:13):
His second to last was the one with his cat.
It's him at a fancy party with,like other people with titles
oh my gosh.
Yes, it's him at a fancy partywith his dear cousin, countess
michelle sirzin von schuddenzitz.
Courtney (55:32):
Wow, clem really, just he ran in all the circles he
ran in the hollywood circles.
He ran in the royal circles.
I don't feel at all sad thatclem died.
A bachelor, I feel like he wentthe way he wanted.
Marissa (55:47):
Yeah, he died how he lived.
He died how he lived.
Courtney (55:51):
It's not.
Yeah, he was definitely like,he was definitely happy, I think
, with the way he did it.
Marissa (55:58):
I'm happy with the way he did it.
I'll tell you what.
Yeah, do we know how he died?
Courtney (56:03):
Yes, that's true.
Sorry, I didn't mention that hedied of a heart attack.
Um, when he, I mean all thosecognacs and cigars, cognacs and
yeah there was another story Ididn't even mention about him,
um, because again it's like itwas basically just he was drunk,
that's the story.
But it was like he had a bunchof vodka at a party and called
someone and told them that hewas at the hospital and they're
like wait, what?
(56:23):
What's all that sound in thebackground?
He's like, actually, I'm stillat the party.
So he was a hard drinker, hewas a hard liver, he, he was
pretty, he was pretty fabulous,though, and actually you know
what, now that I'm thinking ofit, I didn't include this in my
notes, but I know it exists andI want to mention it.
(56:43):
And this is from one of hismany friends is the way that
this quote is attributed.
Okay, he talked too loud, hedrank too much, he cursed like a
sailor, but he also sang likean angel, let strangers crash on
his couch and cried like a babywhen his kitten was sick.
He offended some, charmed many,but was forgotten by none.
Marissa (57:09):
Isn't that sweet?
Oh, my gosh, that's so sweet.
Clem.
It sounds like Clem lived avery full, happy life.
Yes, and I am here for that.
And let's all raise a glass Ofcognac, of cognac specifically.
Yes To the Baron Clement von.
(57:31):
I already forgot.
Courtney (57:33):
It's a long name, let's okay, let's all raise a
glass to the Baron Clement vonFrankenstein Ding.
Cheers, cheers, cheers, cheers.
If we've piqued your curiosity,please subscribe on Substack at
deadandkindoffamoussubstackcom.
We list each episode there,along with photos, newsletters,
(57:55):
sources and more.
You can also find us whereveryou get your podcasts.
Until next time, you might notbe famous, but you got a story
to tell and you're not done yet.
Season 1, Episode 1.
It begins the beginning.
The beginning.
(00:26):
Hello and welcome to Dead andKind of Famous, where we dig
into the life stories of deadfolks who enjoyed a touch or two
of fame in their time.
And now reside permanently inthe Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Hello, I'm Marissa Rivera and Iknow how to get on and off of
the 110 freeway without dying.
And other than that I knownothing, and I'm Courtney.
(00:49):
Blomquist and I know how to makevegan truffles and really it's
simple.
And they're delicious and noone knows, and I'm not going to
give you the recipe, but I willgive you a lot of information
about today's subject.
No, you should post the recipein the notes, all right, yeah.
(01:11):
Today we are talking about BaronClement von Frankenstein.
Whoa yes.
What a name.
He's got a great name.
Yes, what a name.
He's got a great name, andwe're going to talk about
exactly what we can see on hisgravestone, because that's all
we want Marissa to know.
So I want you, marissa, okay,to look at this grave.
(01:37):
All right, so the image is alittle blurry.
We're on Find a Grave right nowwait, what that's?
an actual, that's a site.
We'll be using it a lot forthis show because it is how you
find graves on the internet andthe exact actual maps.
Because when I'm going, by theway, when we're finding these
people, it's like pretty much mewandering through the hollywood
(02:00):
forever cemetery capturingpictures of what I think is
interesting, basically justbased on people's names.
Or if they have a crazy graveand there's like weird pictures
on it and I don't know anythingthat catches my eye, I'm like
you seem interesting, let's go.
And so this is our firstattempt at that, just so
everyone knows.
But if you go on findagravecomand you're looking for somebody
(02:22):
that we talk about, they willshow you a map of exactly where
to find their grave so that ifyou are looking for it later,
you can find that.
And we will include links toall of this in the show notes.
Wow, I didn't know this exists,it does it?
does.
That's wild.
So you can see what's writtenon it.
Here is what Baron Clement vonFrankenstein's grave says Born
(02:48):
the 28th of May 1944.
Died the 9th of May 2019.
Age 75 years, 11 months and 11days, if you like doing math.
The epitaph reads actor bonvivant, gentleman most lovable
of friends.
Oh, I love that.
(03:10):
Oh, that's really sweet.
Yes, what is a bon vivant?
Courtney (03:16):
It is basically like a lover of life.
Let's see, yes, a person whoenjoys a sociable and luxurious
lifestyle.
Ooh Well, for a baron I wouldexpect no less.
Yes, exactly.
Marissa (03:29):
Okay, so I'm looking at the grave and it looks like
really, really nice marbleMm-hmm.
Courtney (03:37):
There is a picture of him smoking a cigar, mm-hmm,
looking like he's had a few toomany drinks.
Yes, yes indeed.
Looking like he's had a few,too many drinks.
Marissa (03:45):
Yes, yes indeed, staring right at you from his
grave, looking like a bon vivant.
He does look.
He looks hella, bon vivant.
Courtney (03:56):
Yes, exactly.
Marissa (03:57):
Definition of the word.
Courtney (03:58):
And can we talk about the spelling of his name?
Okay, let's do it.
It is Baron Clement vonFrankenstein, but the
Frankenstein is spelled with aCK, not just a K, the way you
would know?
Marissa (04:12):
Oh yes, it is.
It's V-O-N spaceF-R-A-N-C-K-E-N-S-T-E-I-N.
Courtney (04:22):
Yeah, so a little different than what you're used
to.
I don't know what reference youmight be thinking of.
Marissa (04:28):
I don't know.
I don't know.
Courtney (04:29):
Okay, so basically he had a long life and a long name.
That's what we know.
But do you know anything elseabout Baron Clement von
Frankenstein beyond what hisgrave tells us, marissa?
Marissa (04:42):
I don't know, but I'm going to hazard a guess.
Courtney (04:47):
Yeah.
So at this point, this is when,just for all of you and
ourselves, getting used to theformat of the, show you the
ignorant one.
Marissa (04:56):
Me Marissa the ignorant one.
Courtney (04:58):
Yes, will judge the book by its cover, judge the
grave by its cover and improvisean obituary for Baron Clement
von Frankenstein based entirelyon your own judgments and
assumptions.
Yeah, just judge him becausethis is the time.
Okay, and I'll give you a pointfor everything you actually
randomly get right.
Marissa (05:18):
Or close to correct.
Yes, close to correct.
Okay, great, let's see.
Baron clement von frankensteinwas born in 1944 to his mother,
baroness mary janet vonfrankenstein, and father baron
(05:43):
Frank von Frankenstein, and hewas the first of four siblings
two boys, two girls.
He was born in Germany, germany,somewhere in Frankfurt,
(06:03):
actually Germany.
Somewhere in Frankfurt,actually Germany and he realized
from a young age that he had apenchant for entertainment and
always wanted to go to Hollywoodto be a big star.
So as soon as he became of agehe packed everything up, his
measly little belongings,because they came from nothing.
(06:25):
They were a wealthy familybefore, and then they fell
destitute, and since he hadnothing to lose, he ran off to
Hollywood to pursue his dream.
And he did, he did.
He acted in several featurefilms and commercials and was
(06:48):
one of the first improvisers no,no wait, let's roll it back
(07:09):
loved how sunny and beautifulHollywood was and he quickly
became friends with his wholeapartment complex.
His apartment was the apartmentto be at, and all of his
friends man, they all said hewas the most lovable of all of
them and he really did know howto have a good time.
He loved enjoying a cigar aftera hard day's work on set and he
(07:32):
enjoyed life to the fullest.
He never married a bachelortill the end, because he liked
that free lifestyle.
When he passed, he left no oneexcept for his friends.
No family survived him.
His other four siblings hisother three siblings died before
(07:56):
him back in Germany.
Okay, okay, that's it.
That's the end.
That's it.
That was a lot.
Yeah, that was a lot Okay.
Courtney (08:02):
Okay, I want to get into's the end.
That's it.
That was a lot.
Yeah, that was a lot Okay.
Okay, I want to get intoeverything that you did get
right for sure.
Marissa (08:10):
Okay.
Courtney (08:11):
As we get to it.
Marissa (08:12):
Okay, and you can point it out if I don't.
Okay.
Courtney (08:14):
Great, great, great.
All right, but your score, Iwould say, is a four.
Marissa (08:23):
A four that's out of Out of.
Well, Well, I only got fourthings right.
Courtney (08:25):
Yeah, out of all of the facts or lies in your case
that you shared.
Now for the truth and the factsand the real news presented by
me.
This is the point when I wantour guest to introduce himself.
So this is the Baron.
The Baron (08:48):
I'm Clement Baron von Frankenstein.
This is interesting.
There's me with two verygorgeous models and me with a
hard-on.
As you can see, if you have aname Frankenstein, you have to
have a big dick.
Just joking.
Heaven and finest land, youhave to have a big day.
I know it's all right, Justjoking Back in the.
Courtney (09:08):
So, oh my God, there he is.
Oh my God, old Clem.
Old Clem himself.
And for those of you at homewho can't see what we were just
looking at, as you heard,marissa, he was bragging about a
photo of himself as a muchyounger man with two beautiful
models, and, as he mentions, youcan see his erection from
(09:30):
beneath his shorts quite clearly, quite clearly, yes, and this
really is a perfect introductionto this guy.
I feel so fortunate that ourvery first grave that we
stumbled upon is someone thisinteresting.
He really really is.
So I'm going to put a link tothis film that I just played a
little bit of in the show notes.
(09:51):
It's very short.
It was a short, unfinished docmade for him by his friend, the
director, matthew Ford.
It is the perfect introductionto this guy.
It shows him shuffling alongthe Hollywood Walk of Fame in
his signature monogrammedslippers and speaking
compassionately with a JohnnyDepp lookalike actor who's been
sleeping in the park, and thenhe's bragging the next minute
(10:13):
about taking an acting classwith Michelle Pfeiffer when he
just happens to stumble acrossher star on the Walk of Fame.
So, it just happens to oh yeah,it is a delightful little
portrait.
Fame.
So it just happens to oh yeah,it is a delightful little
portrait.
Honestly, I'm not sure if everygrave, every person we focus on
, is going to even be likable,because, like, not all dead
people are cool, you know.
Marissa (10:34):
Well, much like life.
Courtney (10:36):
Yes, yes, dad, or alive Not everybody's cool.
Marissa (10:39):
Not everyone's cool, ok , but people really suck.
Courtney (10:42):
Some people really suck, but Baron Clement von
Frankenstein, he was a cool guyand a very likable guy Part
nobleman, part prolificcharacter actor of small roles
and part dirty old bachelor Dingding ding.
Marissa (10:55):
You were right Ding ding ding.
I knew it, I knew it.
Courtney (10:58):
That's the first point Bachelor till the end, for sure
.
Marissa (11:01):
And we will get into that To for sure, and we will
get into that.
The Baron (11:02):
To the bitter end, like kind of a legendary
bachelor.
Courtney (11:04):
Actually, he was not a household name, but if you were
lucky enough to meet him, youwould not easily forget him, and
that is pretty much whateveryone who had the pleasure of
knowing him said Okay.
Marissa (11:16):
So very memorable character of a man.
Yes, that's awesome.
Okay, where was he born?
Courtney (11:21):
Okay, well, let's get into it.
So when I say he was a noblemanand you picked up on this as
well I don't just mean he was anobleman type.
I know we're in Hollywood, buthe was actually a nobleman.
His name just wasn't Baron,like Donald Trump's son, but he
was an actual nobleman.
Baron Clement von Frankenstein,known more affectionately to
his friends as Clem, was born onMay 28, 1944, at Sunning Hill
(11:46):
near Ascot, berkshire, so inEngland.
Okay, his father and I'm goingto butcher the German names so
hard His father, sir Georg Freervon Unzu, frankenstein, whoa,
had been the Austrian ambassadorin London until 1938.
(12:07):
Okay, so they're Austrian, notGerman, they are Austrian.
Marissa (12:11):
Yes, okay.
Courtney (12:13):
But disgusted by the annexation of the federal state
of Austria into the German Reich, also known, and that event was
also known as the Anschluss.
Again, I'm so sorry.
He renounced his homeland andbecame a british citizen.
Wow, yes and for this he wasknighted, hence the sir title.
Okay, yes.
(12:34):
So shortly after receiving thisfeather in his cap, sir georg
or george it's george without ane on the end, I don't know
Married the much younger EdithaKing or Editha King it's Edith
with an A on the end.
Yeah, and by the time baby Clemcame into the world, his father
(12:55):
was a spry young 66 years old.
Wow, yep, he was named afterhis paternal uncle, who had been
a director of the Munich Opera.
Marissa (13:06):
Oh, so a little bit of creativity runs through his
veins already.
Courtney (13:10):
Yes, and if it wasn't already clear, he's got some
class in those veins as well andalso some intrigue, Though this
claim cannot be entirelysubstantiated.
Oh, I love an unsubstantiatedclaim.
Yes, there are several withthis guy.
Okay, it is believed that MaryShelley had adapted his family
name for her famous novel DrFrankenstein's Monster, after
(13:33):
meeting an ancestor of vonFrankenstein's who was in Geneva
when she was there.
Okay, this is a story that theBaron liked to share a lot.
You know whether it was true ornot.
He liked to talk about it?
Marissa (13:48):
He sure did, and his family was like a lot At all his
parties that he threw at hisapartment.
Courtney (13:52):
Nope, that one's not as far as I can tell.
That one's not real.
He was too fancy for his ownapartment.
I feel like he he went out inthe world.
He was invited to fancy parties.
Marissa (14:01):
He was invited to fancy parties and this was his go-to
story.
Courtney (14:06):
Yes, Okay, for sure.
Shelley, of course, left outthe Vaughn and the C in her
characterization of the name, soit was just Frankenstein, not
Vaughn Frankenstein, like ourdear Baron.
Marissa (14:17):
Dear, dear.
Courtney (14:17):
Baron.
Dear dear Baron.
Many of the tall tales thatsurround this guy are all kind
of in the same category of like.
Do we believe it?
That surround this guy are allkind of in the same category of
like.
Do we believe it?
Do we not believe it?
I want to believe it.
I want to believe this one.
I feel like this is not themost outlandish of the things
that I've heard so far about theBaron.
Okay, what else about the Baron?
Well, okay, so sadly, when Clemwas just nine years old, both
(14:39):
his parents were killed in atragic plane crash.
Their plane had caught fire andcrashed after taking off from
Frankfurt, and the accidentresulted in 44 deaths.
Marissa (14:50):
Oh, that's awful.
It's very sad.
So he was orphaned At nineyears old, really young, oh my
gosh.
So who did he go live with?
Courtney (14:58):
He went to live with some family friends, but there
was some mystique around thewhole crash, according to him as
well.
This is another story he likesto tell in interviews.
Clem has said that there was atheory that a Russian KGB
general on board was defectingon the flight and that sabotage
may have been involved.
But this theory again, wasnever proven.
Marissa (15:20):
Interesting unsubstantiated claim Erin, yes,
wow.
Courtney (15:25):
It's such intrigue.
It's such intrigue, it's suchintrigue.
Yes, and in any case, clem wasin prep school when he received
news of his parents' death andhe was not allowed to attend the
funeral because the schoolthought he was too young to
attend, which is very sad.
That is so sad, and Clemhimself said that this decision
quote really pissed me offbecause the British were so
fucking uptight in those days.
(15:46):
In those days, in all days.
Marissa (15:49):
And I agree with him.
Courtney (15:50):
I mean like he was too young to lose his parents is
the thing.
Marissa (15:53):
Oh, my Way too young.
Courtney (15:54):
But because he did like, let him have a proper
goodbye, Exactly.
Marissa (15:58):
He never got to say goodbye yeah.
Courtney (16:00):
That's so tragic.
Marissa (16:02):
It's so crazy.
That's awful.
Courtney (16:03):
You can't be too young for these things.
I mean, I just brought my babyto the Hollywood Forever
Cemetery where I stumbled acrossthis very grave, so I'm sure
she won't remember it, but Iwish she did.
After his parents' death, clemwas grazed in Gloucester,
gloucester, gloucester.
Marissa (16:24):
Gloucester, gloucester, gloucester, gloucester, damn it
, all right.
Courtney (16:26):
Gloucestershire, gloucestershire, it's like
Worcestershire, I can'tpronounce anything right, close
friends of his parents, and Icould find nothing to indicate
that he had been formallyadopted by the Taylors.
Okay, but he had a goodrelationship with them and
(16:49):
remained very close with hisfoster sister, celia Plunkett,
throughout his life.
Celia Plunkett, yes.
So he did not have siblings, hewas the only kid of his parents
, but he had a foster sister,okay, so, in true posh tradition
, the Baron received hiseducation at Eaton College,
(17:10):
which is an extremelycompetitive and well-known
British boys school.
Sure is, you know of it?
Yes, okay, yeah, it iswell-known.
I didn't know of it, but it iswell-known.
It's in Berkshire, england.
It's for boys age 13 to 18.
So this was like his, for ourcontext, like high school years.
Marissa (17:24):
It's a boarding school.
Courtney (17:25):
Yeah, it's a boarding school.
He seems to have gone to allprep schools and boarding
schools.
I mean, he's a baron down tothe very core, like he is just a
baron's baron.
He is indeed.
Yes, this is just not a typicalHollywood backstory for most
people, I would assume, exceptfor all those royals that are
out here hoofing it and tryingto get those Netflix deals.
(17:45):
From there, he joined the ranksof the Royal Scots Greys, a
cavalry regiment of the BritishArmy, during which time he used
the sex appeal of his uniform toits full extent.
Marissa (17:58):
Oh, watch out, it's the Baron in a uniform.
Courtney (18:03):
He was pretty sexy when he was younger.
I mean, he kind of had like ayoung Rod Stewart if he was a
brunette thing going on, does he?
Do you want to see?
I want to see yes.
Okay, the caption on this photowhere I think he looks like a
young Rod Stewart without blondehair, sort of.
He's got that like we can'ttell how tan he is he looks?
like John Belushi.
(18:23):
Oh, interesting, he's a littlemore chiseled, though, a little
bit more, yeah, yeah, and he haspuka shells on his picture,
which I just realized.
Oh, how embarrassing for him.
Anyway, but it's a caption.
Marissa (18:40):
Hey, those were all the rage in what looks like the
1970s.
Courtney (18:43):
Yeah, 1975.
Marissa (18:45):
And again in the early 2000s?
Courtney (18:47):
Yes, which is so embarrassing for all the people,
all of us, not me.
I didn't ever wear a pick ofshells.
I did that.
You know what?
That's?
Because I.
Marissa (18:56):
I 100% did yes.
Courtney (18:57):
You did, yeah, oh, okay, oh, 100%.
Do you know what, though?
It's more authentic?
That you did because you grewup in Florida and I grew up in
Indiana, and that is just likeinsane to be like it's natural
for me to wear shells around myneck.
No, it's not.
Marissa (19:10):
It's not I just want to clarify I did not do all of my
growing up in Florida.
I'm not a Floridian.
I would just like to put thatcaveat out there.
I do not claim Florida.
Courtney (19:21):
Moving on.
This is unsubstantial, okay,okay.
So yes, we were just talkingabout how he used to sex appeal
of his uniform.
How could you not?
Yes, and this habit of partyingin his full regalia came to
light when he was found in anightclub in Hamburg, germany,
(19:44):
with what several of hisobituaries described as quote
ladies of the town, and I'm notsure if that means that they
were local women or local sexworkers, but that's neither here
nor there.
They're obituaries.
You never know if people aretrying to, you know, throw
somebody a softball or not.
The last softball, the lastsoftball trying to.
(20:05):
You know, throw somebody asoftball or not the last
softball, the last softball,like you know.
But he wouldn't have cared.
That's the thing I think hewould have loved the
mysteriousness Did I pay forthem or not?
Marissa (20:15):
I don't know.
I don't know Depends what storyI tell you tonight at this
party.
Courtney (20:20):
Exactly.
The point is his reputation asa naughty playboy was taking
shape in defense of his badhabits.
During this time, clem isquoted as saying I was very much
a soldier's officer.
I would have been fine in a war, but I was lousy in peacetime.
So he was basically like Iwould have.
(20:43):
I'm a man.
I'm a man's man.
I would have occupied my timewith important things like war
had there been a war, but sincethere wasn't, I just decided to
fuck a bunch of people.
Marissa (20:54):
I've decided to occupy my time with a bunch of women.
Yeah, to occupy women.
Courtney (21:04):
Clem was also pretty lousy with money.
He loved to gamble and have agood time, and this led him to
breezing through his inheritancebefore he ever hopped across
the pond to Hollywood.
Marissa (21:15):
Wow, and if there was ever a town that you needed an
inheritance?
Oh yeah, oh man, that wouldhave gone so far here, totally.
Courtney (21:24):
It's such a boon to be a trust fund kid here, truly so
.
He lost that chance and he waspretty broke for a stretch of
years and made ends meet workingfor nightclub owner Harry
Meadows, who apparently hadseveral well-known nightclubs in
Britain, until, in anunexpected and ironic twist, his
(21:45):
nanny left him a legacy.
Marissa (21:48):
What.
Courtney (21:49):
Yes, so his nanny left him money in her will.
Marissa (21:53):
What?
Yes, and this detail His nanny.
Wait, his nanny, that his, likefoster parents had.
Courtney (22:00):
It would have had to been unless it was his nanny
from his earlier years, which Iguess it could have been either
way.
I mean, he was nine when helost his parents.
I didn't find that what era shewas from or if he had the same
nanny the whole time.
It's the only detail about thenanny I could find.
Do we have a name?
Marissa (22:13):
No, Just this mysterious.
Courtney (22:15):
Just the mysterious nanny.
Marissa (22:16):
Just a mysterious benefactory?
Yeah, what's the word?
What's the word Benefactor?
Yes, this mysterious benefactorOf the Baron, of the Baron who
also wiped his ass at some point.
Courtney (22:31):
Yes, yes, which is bizarre, and I feel like that
detail only makes sense to me ifI imagine that the nanny is
Fran Drescher, and I think thatthe reason that makes sense is
because she married the likefather of the children she was
watching.
So really, she would just begiving them his money, exactly
which makes sense.
That's how my brain works.
Marissa (22:55):
I am sorry oh my gosh, but the reality is is that this
woman was not married into thefamily, she just no, okay.
No, ok, she just left himsomething.
So he did come to Hollywoodwith some money he did.
Courtney (23:08):
Yes, wow.
And after his tenure as asoldier he went to study opera
for three years Whoa OK, so hecould sing.
Marissa (23:17):
He can sing.
I mean sang, yeah, that isopera is very intense, right,
and he did it for three years.
Courtney (23:24):
He did ask his teacher when tenors get good, because
apparently he was a tenor, whichis like a little surprising to
me after hearing his voice.
The Baron (23:31):
Yeah.
Courtney (23:31):
You know, I thought he would be a, not a bass, but a
baritone, baritone.
Marissa (23:36):
Yeah, bear in the baritone, bear in the baritone.
If only he could have been somuch better.
Courtney (23:42):
But I guess maybe he just I think he smoked a lot.
To be honest, I think we'reseeing him talk like later in
his life yeah, so earlierearlier, before the tobacco had
gotten Right.
Marissa (23:52):
He had a lovely resonant voice.
Courtney (23:56):
A lovely tenor, a lovely tenor.
So he asked his teacher whentenors get good?
So I guess he was having somedoubts about his ability, and
the teacher said that they don'treally get good until age 34.
Marissa (24:10):
What an arbitrary age.
First of all, Very specific.
Courtney (24:13):
That feels like a voice teacher thing to say,
though, to be honest.
Yeah, because you grew up doingvoice yes, and so I think that
that, yeah, I remember someonetelling me like you don't have
to worry about like your voicenot being good until 36.
So I guess for women it's theopposite which makes sense.
Marissa (24:31):
As women, we do lose our value as we age.
So that totally makes sense.
Fade away slowly but time out34 specifically, that's what his
teacher told him, and not 35.
Courtney (24:44):
34.
Marissa (24:45):
That's very interesting .
Courtney (24:50):
I don't know.
Think that that feels like apersonal thing to say, like
where the teacher was, like Ididn't feel like anything came
together for me until I was 34.
Marissa (24:58):
Yeah, me speaking as a tenor and your teacher.
Courtney (25:01):
That's like a very yes .
Just I don't know.
Voice teachers are Not tooffend any voice teachers Not to
offend any voice.
They're a little self-absorbed,so.
Marissa (25:13):
Well dang, that's a very large, blanket statement.
Feel free to be offended.
I feel offended on your behalf.
Courtney (25:19):
I think, when you have your own experience, it's hard
not to speak from your ownexperience.
It could happen to anybody.
That's very true.
Marissa (25:25):
So we're assuming his teacher was also a self-absorbed
tenor who only got good at age34.
Courtney (25:35):
I mean, how would he have those specifics otherwise?
It's true, it doesn't feel likesomething that would be in a
book or be backed up by any formof science or anything like
that, the science of song.
So, getting this news, theBaron said, quote fuck that.
And decided to abandon hissinging pursuits for an acting
career in Hollywood because hedidn't want to wait.
Marissa (25:58):
Wow, he said, fuck that , I'm hopping across the pond.
That's what he did.
Yes, so it was 19.
Courtney (26:04):
With his nanny inheritance.
With his nanny inheritance,yeah, assuming you didn't blow
all of it on studying opera,which you know.
He was probably still gamblingduring that time.
I don't have exact financialrecords, but we assume he had
some money from his inheritance.
It was 1972 when Clem arrivedin California, but it was not in
Los Angeles where he firstfound work, but in Anaheim where
(26:25):
he was hired to play a singingHenry VIII in a Tudor-themed
dinner theater experience called1520 AD called 1520 AD what I
was expecting you to Disneyland.
Marissa (26:41):
I was expecting you to go Disneyland and we just turned
a hard left to move you in time.
Courtney (26:47):
Not just the outskirts of Hollywood, this man, the
outskirts of Anaheim.
Marissa (26:53):
That's where we are, and just so you people know.
So this was like the off offoff Broadway of Anaheim.
That's where we are, and justso you people know.
So this was like the off offoff Broadway of.
Courtney (26:59):
Anaheim yes, and I did find a little bit about this
place.
It was a review for after hewas employed by this theater.
But it gave me an idea of theexperience.
But what we can assume is thatClem could be found there in the
main role, because that's themain role for this, I mean so.
He played the king.
He played the king and he couldbe found singing I'm Henry VIII
(27:22):
, I am and Danny Boy, whilediners banged metal spoons on
their table to get the attentionof their waitress, or in the
you you know terms of thisparticular establishment, wench
so wow, yes, their, their tablewench would come.
When they banged things on thetable, they bang, bang, bang.
(27:45):
I want my wench, yes, and theydidn't even say like here, wench
, and like have someone comeover, which would feel very
disrespectful.
It's like you don't evendeserve for me to give you any
kind of name at all.
I'm just going to bang a metalspoon on a table until you
decide.
Marissa (27:59):
Until my needs are met.
Courtney (28:00):
Yeah, until my needs are met and you figure out that
I'm talking to you.
So that's how that place worked.
Marissa (28:07):
Wow, okay, so this was Clem's first day job.
Courtney (28:12):
Yes, in California.
Marissa (28:14):
In California.
Yes, Exactly.
Courtney (28:15):
He found some other interesting ways to make money.
If you can interpret this nextclip, I'm going to play for you
the way I'm interpreting it.
It's a little bit hard toidentify his exact verb here.
Okay.
The Baron (28:34):
Back in the 70s, $100 a day was quite a lot.
So I was broke and they'd giveyou $100 a day to roll around in
bed with this girl with a hugeboob.
So I thought, why not?
It was fun, you know.
Courtney (28:45):
So I can't tell.
And there's one paper thatquoted him as saying that he
would pay $100 a day when he wasbroke to roll around in bed
with a woman with huge boobs.
But I don't think that makesany sense, because if they're
saying he's broke, he would getpaid to roll around.
Do you want to listen again?
Marissa (29:04):
Yeah, I want to hear it again.
All right, hold on.
The Baron (29:07):
If you have an amfranis line you have to have a
big dick, big dick.
Back in the 70s, $100 a day wasquite a lot.
So you know it was broke andthey'd give you $100 a day to
roll around in bed with thisgirl with a huge boob.
So I thought, why not?
It was fun, you know.
Courtney (29:23):
They gave you $100 a day to roll around.
Marissa (29:27):
In bed with a woman with a huge boob.
I think he's talking about hisco-star, like the co-star that
he was the woman he was with oneof the women he was with for
this show oh no, boobs, theygive, they give, he said.
He said they.
They gave me 100 a day to rollaround they did.
Courtney (29:46):
He did say that so, so I'm where I have this story
lined up.
Is not like he's not talkingabout working at that restaurant
in this video?
Okay, in that interview beforethis point.
Okay, so this is just himtalking about being in
california in the 70s so it'sthe same time period but he was
like whatever job I got it'slike 100 bucks a day.
(30:08):
Yeah, he was like I was broke.
Sometimes I would I that whatI'm hearing.
Marissa (30:12):
OK, is what is the Baron telling you?
Courtney (30:17):
What I think makes sense and what I think he's
saying is when I was broke, Iwould take a hundred bucks a day
to roll around in bed with awoman with huge boobs and it was
fun, so I didn't care.
To me that's someone saying Idid porn and I'm not ashamed.
Marissa (30:39):
That's what I'm hearing .
The Baron was a sex worker.
Courtney (30:41):
I think that the Baron was.
That's what I'm hearing.
Yes, ok.
Marissa (30:44):
Well, you're the, you're the gal with the
information.
I mean, I don't know, that'swhat you got from it then.
Courtney (30:48):
That's the clip.
That's the only reference tothis.
And he is not.
He is a mumbler, so it's hardto uh tell exactly, but I heard
that they would give you ahundred dollars a day is the
verb.
I heard like they'd give themto give you a hundred dollars a
day yeah, something like thatbig boobs that's what I heard.
(31:11):
Yeah, so I againunsubstantiated information, but
uh, that's what I think.
I think you did some porn.
I think the baron did some porn.
Oh, baron yes cheeky, cheekybaron cheeky old clem showed
some cheek for a check, wow, buteventually.
(31:34):
Eventually the Baron started towork for real and get booked on
a regular basis, though he wastechnically uncredited.
One of the Baron Clement vonFrankenstein's first roles was,
ironically, in Mel Brooks' 1974spoof Young Frankenstein.
Marissa (31:53):
You know, he only got hired because of his last name.
You know that the producerswere like, oh, wouldn't it be so
funny to have this.
Or Mel Brooks himself, honestly, or Mel Brooks himself.
Courtney (32:06):
yes, we were like that's hilarious.
Marissa (32:08):
Hire this guy.
Courtney (32:09):
Yes, and so he's not actually credited, but according
to IMDb, his part was that ofthe quote villager screaming at
the monster from the bars Idon't know if those are like
drinking bars or behind barsVery vague, but that was his
part and it is easy to imagine,as you were just saying, him
(32:29):
charming casting directors.
He's clearly very charming, evenjust in the clips you can hear
with his lore and trying to getin that way, because he did like
to tell that story.
And despite the small part hemust have made a good impression
on Mel Brooks because he wascast again almost 20 years later
in his 1993 film Robin Hood Menin Tights as the royal
announcer.
Oh, wow, yeah.
(32:51):
So that's kind of like that's along game, that's a long
relationship, wow yes.
Marissa (32:54):
So that's kind of like that's a long game, that's a
long game relationship.
Wow yes, he networked the shitout of Mel.
Courtney (32:58):
Brooks yeah, he did.
Marissa (32:59):
He was like remember me , the Baron von Frankenstein and
Mel Brooks was like ah yes, Ido, you are quite unforgettable.
Courtney (33:07):
You are quite unforgettable.
You are lovable andunforgettable, as all of your
friends say.
So when he was credited, Clemoften chose to drop his title
from his name so as not to beintimidating.
Marissa (33:18):
So you'll often Wow, thank you.
Courtney (33:20):
Thank you so much.
She's like I deserve.
Listen, I know that you shouldbow to me, but I will not
require it.
Marissa (33:29):
In fact, I will hide this fact.
In fact, I will hide the factthat I am royal adjacent.
You're welcome as to maintain aveneer of professionalism.
Courtney (33:48):
Yes, he's had a few drinks before this audition.
Exactly exactly that tracks.
Marissa (33:52):
Whilst on this, mel Brooks set.
Courtney (33:56):
Yes, yes, yeah, he would drop his title.
You'd often see him on the castlist simply as Clement von
Frankenstein, so he's creditedmany times that way.
If you are looking for theBaron's credits note, that is
how they are often presented.
And on that note, he had noexpectations of friends using
his title because, again, he wasa humble Baron.
(34:17):
But a certain Austrianbodybuilder always followed
decorum, as Clem said himself.
I rarely use my title in LA,but Arnold always calls me Baron
.
Marissa (34:31):
Oh, my God, Perfect Just casually slipping in oh
yeah, God.
Courtney (34:34):
Perfect.
Marissa (34:35):
Just casually slipping in.
Courtney (34:37):
Oh yeah, arnold Schwarzenegger, he's first name
only, by the way, the biggestname dropper, wow.
Yes.
Throughout his career, clem'scasting was varied, but after
reviewing his resume, I definehim as a tarnished silver spoon.
He was classy, but he was alsounmistakably grimy.
(34:59):
That tracks, yes, that tracks.
It does Much like his own name.
His higher class charactersoften had some sort of title.
For instance, he was cast as alord more than once, which
actually could be the title fora baron as well.
Marissa (35:12):
Yeah.
As well as doctors, doctors,commissioners, colonels and
judges so he was typecast aslike either a lord or like a
white collar yes, like somebodywho had some level of like
gravitas or reverence to them alittle bit, got it okay um this
makes sense for the baron?
Courtney (35:31):
yes, I think so, and when he was playing a lower
class character, because he alsodid that.
Marissa (35:37):
Oh, he's got range.
Courtney (35:38):
He's got range.
Marissa (35:38):
The Baron's got range.
Courtney (35:41):
His roles usually contained at least some level of
that same gravitas or elegancestill so.
For instance, he often playedannouncers, maitre d's and
butlers.
Marissa (35:53):
Okay, yes.
Courtney (35:55):
But somewhat unsurprisingly, he was also
convincing as a sleaze and a cad.
You had to really stretch forthose roles, oh yeah, yeah,
absolutely Like the time heplayed a Danish pervert on an
episode of Californication thatwas aptly titled Perverts and
Whores.
That was aptly titled Pervertsand Whores.
(36:17):
Basically, if I had to compareClem to a cocktail, he'd be a
filthy martini made with topshelf gin.
Classy but a little gross.
Marissa (36:27):
Oh, I love that.
Courtney (36:32):
Yes, Now, although he himself, I think, preferred
cognac but you know that's awannabe move Clem Does.
Marissa (36:38):
He Is that, yes, oh.
He did prefer cognac, that is afact, yes, Well, he likes.
Courtney (36:43):
I know from the documentary that I've referenced
that you all should watch.
He drinks a sidecar atHollywood's oldest bar, which is
a treat for him.
He said but then what'sHollywood's oldest bar?
I don't know this.
You know what?
I don't know.
We'll put it in the show notes.
I don't remember, but it wasbecause it's just in the video
he drinks it in hollywood'soldest bar.
Marissa (37:02):
Okay, I just googled it really quick.
The oldest bar in la is theking eddie saloon, which opened
in 1906.
Courtney (37:13):
Hmm, Try oldest restaurant.
Marissa (37:15):
Okay, the old, hollywood's oldest yeah.
Courtney (37:19):
Restaurant.
Marissa (37:19):
Restaurant Musso and Frank.
That's it Okay.
Courtney (37:23):
Yes, that's the one I knew.
It began with an M.
Marissa (37:26):
Proudly serving Hollywood since 1919.
Courtney (37:29):
Okay, so the oldest bar is a little older than the
oldest restaurant is what weknow yeah, so he was drinking at
.
Marissa (37:35):
The oldest bar is a little older than the oldest
restaurant, is what we know.
Courtney (37:36):
Yeah, so he was drinking at the oldest
restaurant, yeah, and thenthere's pictures like this on
his Instagram, with an emptybottle of cognac and a
half-burned cigar outside ofwhat I'm assuming Not a bottle,
a glass, an empty glass of?
Marissa (37:48):
Okay yeah?
Courtney (37:49):
And I think this is from in the documentary you can
see like what the exterior ofhis apartment looked like.
So he did live in an apartment.
He did live in an apartment.
He lived in an apartment since1981, I believe.
So he lived there for almost 30years I think actually just
about 30 years and rented fromthe same friend for a long time.
So I feel like you got thatdetail.
Marissa (38:07):
I did.
Courtney (38:08):
Because he was friends with everyone in his apartment
building which was pretty muchjust his landlord, because it's
just like a building with anapartment on top.
Okay, but like I think thelandlord lives underneath.
Marissa (38:17):
I was right.
Yes, I was right.
Courtney (38:19):
Another point for me yes, but yeah so he preferred
cognac, but I thought he was adirty martini.
I think I'm right.
Fight me, clem Ope, you can't,you're dead.
Marissa (38:35):
Anyway, just kidding, love you.
Courtney (38:35):
Just kidding, we respect everyone.
He would appreciate it.
He would appreciate it.
He makes fun of himself.
Over the course of his 40-yearcareer, some of his roles were
notable.
For instance, he played SenatorSestimus Amidius in the Coen
Brothers film Hail Caesar.
Alongside George Clooney, heshared scenes with him, yes film
.
Hail Caesar alongside GeorgeClooney.
(38:55):
He shared scenes with him andhe is often remembered as
France's head of state,president D'Astier, in Rob
Reiner's 1995 film the AmericanPresident.
But he also had roles that weremore on the nothing end of the
spectrum.
Don't we all Yep, like the timehe played a corpse in Murder?
She Wrote it was a corpse witha name, but it was still a
(39:17):
corpse.
It was still a dead body.
Yep, oh my gosh, he played thevictim.
He played the victim.
I think the whole episode wasbuilt around his death, which is
like that feels bigger, I guess.
But also he played a dead body.
So, but Clem didn't.
He didn't turn up his nose atany role and he prided himself
in being a working actor.
So if you asked him to playdead, the Baron was going to
(39:39):
fucking play dead.
Marissa (39:40):
Oh my God, me and Clem have so much in common.
Courtney (39:42):
Yes, take the money, take the money.
Take the money, work on setAbsolutely, and this resulted in
an IMDb resume that topped outat 128 credits.
Marissa (39:55):
Wow, so I mean some of them are like what is that?
Courtney (39:58):
And other ones you know it, yeah, you know, so it's
impressive.
Marissa (40:02):
I think it's impressive .
We're a steadily working actorFor 40 years.
I mean goals, I think right,yeah, I bet he qualified for
insurance.
Courtney (40:10):
I'm sure he did.
If you look at this IMDb, it islengthy, it is long.
This is his credits.
Marissa (40:17):
Wow, I want to see his headshot.
Courtney (40:21):
Is there a headshot on there?
Marissa (40:23):
Yeah, okay, this might be a headshot.
It might be.
I mean, he's not looking at thecamera, it's black and white.
It's black and white, but blackand white was the standard for
a while for the longest timeactually and he's wearing a suit
and he's gazing.
He's gazing off.
Courtney (40:42):
Into the sunset.
Yeah, he's really, he'scontemplative.
He's contemplative Hundred, andhe's not a bad looking man, no,
he's not.
I mean he, he sort of like hegained weight later and you know
, you can see that, but he hewas, he always had a presence,
for sure, and he had, yeah, thishuge.
What was his last credit, hislast credit Interesting?
(41:02):
His last credit?
His last credit interesting,you should ask is a film called
Starfucker, with an asterisk forthe?
U, that features a lot ofpeople who are like playing
themselves, and Andy Dick was init playing himself.
(41:27):
And so was oh my God, it'sNicolas Cage's son.
Marissa (41:28):
Weston Cage Coppola, who I did not know was a person
I did not know that either, andhe looks like.
Courtney (41:38):
He looks like Nicolas Cage's son in the.
Marissa (41:39):
I mean look at him.
He's got those like icy blues.
We are side barring.
We're side barring really hard.
Courtney (41:43):
But like, yeah, I mean you asked about the last credit
and I already went down thisrabbit hole, so I just wanted
you to know.
I'm kind of just priding myselfabout the fact that I didn't
talk about how, in YoungFrankenstein, the monster was
played by the same guy whoplayed Frank Barone in Everybody
Loves Raymond.
Oh yeah, that was him.
I was like what I did?
(42:04):
Know that?
Marissa (42:04):
I did know that.
I did know that, yes.
Courtney (42:06):
But, as I think I've already made evident, his life
off screen was far moreinteresting than any of the
roles he played, and the storiesof his antics often preceded
him.
Clem was a dear friend to manyin Hollywood and, as you might
expect from someone with such apedigree, he ran in some elite
circles.
Ooh, ooh.
Marissa (42:27):
Yes.
Courtney (42:33):
Many of his obituaries mentioned that he was a
longtime member of the Hollywoodand Beverly Hills Cricket Club,
playing on an improvised pitchunder the Hollywood sign with
Mick Jagger, hugh Grant andJulian Sands.
So Hugh hello team.
Yes, he was not at the level alot of the people he was friends
with I think he was just one ofthese people who was such an
interesting guy that no oneminded having him around.
(42:54):
No, he got invited to stuff too, like they've.
Definitely people wanted to behis friend.
Marissa (42:58):
That's the impression I want to be his friend why he
seems so great.
Courtney (43:03):
But perhaps the most treasured aspect of being clem's
friend were the stories you'damass in the process.
For instance, these are myfavorite once he ran into
friends after being stood up fora date and had an impromptu
dinner with them, but it soonbecame clear that he had already
popped a viagra in anticipationof the date.
(43:23):
Oh, my God, and I love thatthese stories show up in, like
all of his obituaries, which isso funny to me.
It's like everyone's like.
This is what I'm going to talkabout now that you're dead.
Marissa (43:40):
Oh, my God.
That's so funny I know, Imaginehaving a raging heart on while
you're just having dinner withyour friends.
Nope, nothing's wrong, littlelightheaded.
Courtney (43:52):
I'm fine.
Another popular story aboutClem that I only half understand
is that, quote poor innocentdrank the contents of a bottle
of Spanish brandy that Clem hadused to sterilize himself after
enjoying some sexual deviancesin Tijuana.
So what I can imagine, that hethought he was sterilizing
(44:16):
himself by, like, dumping theSpanish brandy on his dick.
Right, that's how you would.
Marissa (44:22):
That's how I interpret this.
Courtney (44:24):
That's not also something you should do?
I mean, I hope no one'slistening to this podcast for
medical advice, but pretty surethat, please don't.
Pretty sure that doesn't work.
But also so, if someone drankthe contents of that bottle and
they're saying the story likeit's so gross, does that mean
that he like, saved it and thenput it back in the bottle to
reuse, to sterilize himselfagain?
(44:45):
Oh God, just what do you think?
Marissa (44:47):
Because I really Well, he clearly brought that bottle
from Tijuana back into.
Courtney (44:54):
California, and he was like this has to be used again.
I don't want to waste any moreliquor on this, so let's just
reuse this.
Put it in one of those littlelike cat bowls, that or no, like
fountains, that filters water,just keep it going yeah, just
keep it going.
Marissa (45:09):
That's right and you can say what you want about the
Baron, but he's a waste, notwant, not kind of a guy.
Courtney (45:16):
He knows what he's been wealthy, but he also knows
what it's like to be broke.
The Baron (45:20):
He doesn't waste liquor.
Marissa (45:21):
He doesn't.
Courtney (45:27):
So he's got his drinking brandy and his dick,
brandy and then some poorinnocent girl.
It just said poor innocent, soit could have been a guy, we
don't know.
Somebody drank it.
Okay, I assumed it was a girl.
I mean, who knows, who knows itcould have been, we don't know.
So here's another cute story.
One of Clem's friends recountedthat when he was formally
announced as the Baron Clementvon Frankenstein upon entering
(45:51):
the Viennese opera ball at theBeverly Wilshire again fancy
party.
OK, fancy party means name ofthat monster, and at that point
the Baron turned to her andbellowed my dear madam
(46:16):
Frankenstein was the doctor, andhe later shared in confidence
with his friend that the loudwoman's red dress made her look
like a quote London bus, Dang,scathing bus, scathing, scathing
(46:38):
, baron, sick burn, clem, sickburn.
And when it came to his lovelife, which we've been dancing
around so far, we sure have, yes, the baron's exploits were
expansive, but he never chose tosettle down, as we have
discussed.
Yeah, he was a lover of allwomen, though, and he stated
once in an interview that I'vehad quite a few interesting
girlfriends.
I like women of all colors,white and black and brown.
Marissa (47:02):
Any color of the way, as long as there's a hole, I'm
in it to win it.
But any color of the way, aslong as there's a hole, I'm in
it to win.
Courtney (47:06):
Oh yeah, he loved women, for sure, but he has
preferences OK.
So he had very taste, but hehad his preferences, and he said
specifically that he waslooking for a woman who was over
40, smart, independent andbuxom.
Oh yes, he clearly was a tittyboy.
Yes, and he went on to say Ican't abide skinny, stupid women
(47:30):
.
Marissa (47:31):
So he must have felt he wouldn't have liked you then,
Courtney.
Courtney (47:37):
No, I know I'm just a fangirl.
I'm not his wife of choice, butnobody was.
Marissa (47:44):
Nobody could meet his standards.
No one could meet his standards.
Courtney (47:46):
She could be any color of the rainbow, but she had to
be buxom and she had to be smart.
That was his requirement, andhe also warned that any woman
who kicked off the conversationwith a Frankenstein joke was
destined for the reject bin hewas not amused by that.
He thought that was a cheap shot.
He was not amused by that.
He thought that was a cheapshot.
Funnily enough, in 2001, clemmade it onto the People
(48:09):
magazine's list of America's top50 bachelors.
Oh my God, can you imaginereading that list?
There's all these names yourecognize.
I think, like Josh Hartnett wason the same list or something,
and then it's like which in 2001was you know?
That was that was, that was theshit.
Yeah, he was the shit, he wasthe shit.
And then baron clement.
Marissa (48:32):
I wonder if, I wonder if he was 50th.
Courtney (48:34):
I want to know the rank, I want to know the right,
I know it's it's surprising, butI think it delighted him.
He was very excited about thatI could imagine so yes to be on
any hot anything list.
Marissa (48:48):
Totally, I'd also be ecstatic.
Oh my god he was.
Courtney (48:51):
He was so into it, um, but, but nobody met his
standards.
And he had actually mentionedthat he wanted to pass his title
on, which is hilarious to me,because I think he's been like I
don't have a title for hiswhole life.
And then he's like now I want topass my title on of and I,
honestly, being a baron, it's ifyou look it up it's or a lord,
it's like the lowest nobilityit's.
I mean not to look, I don'thave any nobility.
(49:12):
I'm not trying to, you know,hate on his nobility, but it's
not like he's not like the kingof England, obviously, because
that just happened and his nameis Charles.
Marissa (49:30):
Oh gosh, side note the pictures from the coronation.
Those crowns have to bereworked.
Oh my gosh, everyone looksfucking miserable to be there.
Courtney (49:42):
It's not a glamorous event.
You know, he's not a young king, by any means no.
Marissa (49:48):
By any stretch of the imagination.
Courtney (49:50):
Nobody cares anymore.
Really truly, meghan, tore itdown.
Marissa (49:56):
Like the American she is.
Courtney (49:58):
Yes, she was like this is not the shit anymore and we
were like, ok, you're right,you're right, meghan, you're
right.
And we were like okay.
Marissa (50:04):
You're right.
You're right, megan, you'reright.
Courtney (50:06):
But still, the only woman who ever had a
longstanding presence in hislife was his beloved cat
Tallulah.
Marissa (50:14):
Tallulah, I love that name.
Yes.
Courtney (50:17):
She's so cute.
She's on his Instagram too.
I'll show you Tallulah, and shedied just two months before he
died.
Marissa (50:27):
I wonder if he died from a broken heart.
Courtney (50:30):
Look at, this is him and Tallulah.
Marissa (50:32):
Oh my gosh.
So right now we're looking athis Instagram.
Courtney (50:36):
Yes.
Marissa (50:37):
And it's a photo of him in aviators holding Tallulah,
who is a white yeah, mostlywhite.
She's got a few tan spots Withblue eyes.
Courtney (50:47):
She's got a few tan spots.
Marissa (50:47):
A few tan spots with blue eyes.
She's a gorgeous little lady.
Courtney (50:50):
And he shared information about her.
He gave a eulogy.
He gave a eulogy, yes, okay.
And he lovingly said Tallulahhas been my rock for 18 years.
An actor's life is an emotionalroller coaster full of hills
and valleys.
Oh my God, costures just thesame.
Better than any other pet I'veever had, she was the greatest
(51:12):
cat.
Marissa (51:28):
Oh, my God.
Courtney (51:31):
So really the love of his life was Tallulah for sure.
Marissa (51:34):
For sure.
Tallulah is rapidly becomingthe love of my life.
Courtney (51:37):
Goodness gracious Tallulah is what every actor
needs.
That's really what he's saying.
Marissa (51:41):
Yeah, you need an emotional support animal to be
in this game.
Goodness gracious, I myselfhave one.
Courtney (51:49):
Yes, an emotional support animal to be in this
game.
Marissa (51:50):
goodness gracious I myself have one, yes, two, two
one that qualifies and one thatis legally my emotional support
animal?
Courtney (51:54):
yeah, one, that one that gets to go on the plane oh
my gosh, but I love tolu la.
Marissa (51:58):
I love old, old women, old people.
Names for for animals is thebest.
Courtney has a cat namedEleanor and then her second cat
is named Ralphie.
Courtney (52:09):
Ralph, ralph who is now Wreck-It Ralph, because he
broke a lot of my dishes theother day by knocking the whole
drying rack off of the counter.
But yes, I love, I also lovethose names.
Marissa (52:21):
I love it, and my dog's names are Trudy and Gus.
Courtney (52:26):
Yes, which is very fitting for them.
We will share pictureseventually as well, of all the
animals, of all the fur babies.
Yes, right, and to finish hisstory off, the last Baron
Clement von Frankenstein talltale occurred at his funeral and
I fucking love this.
I want to quote his obituaryfrom the times.
(52:50):
Exactly okay, because theyrecount it perfectly okay, at
the start of his funeral, awoman in her 20s, matching von
frankenstein's requisite which,as we've discussed sidebar is
being buxom and smart and smart.
So at the start of his funeral,a woman in her 20s, matching
von Frankenstein's requisitesand known to his friends, placed
(53:12):
herself in the front pew.
Then another arrived andannounced it was she who was
Clem's girlfriend, something ofa contra-tempts.
Contra-tempts ensued and thenthis whole obituary ends with
well, nobody's perfect.
Basically, we all think he hadtwo girlfriends in their 20s and
(53:37):
that they both were at thefuneral fighting over which one
of them was his actualgirlfriend, which is like such a
dramatic way to end your life.
I mean, what a play.
It to the end, absolutely, clem.
Just he was such a dirtybachelor.
Up until the very end he was.
He was truly like confusing theladies right until he was all
(54:00):
the way out death's door.
Wow, so, wow, clem.
That has uh been the story ofbaron clement von frankenstein,
and if you'd like to pay yourWow, wow, clem, it's very close
(54:22):
to the Johnny Ramone grave.
For those of you who need anobvious reference point,
(54:49):
no-transcript oh, such a sweetguy, wow.
Marissa (54:59):
And for those of you who want to internet stalk him,
his instagram handle is clementvaughn.
Clement vaughn yes, um, I wantto see what his last picture is.
Courtney (55:11):
That yeah, this is almost it.
Marissa (55:13):
His second to last was the one with his cat.
It's him at a fancy party with,like other people with titles
oh my gosh.
Yes, it's him at a fancy partywith his dear cousin, countess
michelle sirzin von schuddenzitz.
Courtney (55:32):
Wow, clem really, just he ran in all the circles he
ran in the hollywood circles.
He ran in the royal circles.
I don't feel at all sad thatclem died.
A bachelor, I feel like he wentthe way he wanted.
Marissa (55:47):
Yeah, he died how he lived.
He died how he lived.
Courtney (55:51):
It's not.
Yeah, he was definitely like,he was definitely happy, I think
, with the way he did it.
Marissa (55:58):
I'm happy with the way he did it.
I'll tell you what.
Yeah, do we know how he died?
Courtney (56:03):
Yes, that's true.
Sorry, I didn't mention that hedied of a heart attack.
Um, when he, I mean all thosecognacs and cigars, cognacs and
yeah there was another story Ididn't even mention about him,
um, because again it's like itwas basically just he was drunk,
that's the story.
But it was like he had a bunchof vodka at a party and called
someone and told them that hewas at the hospital and they're
like wait, what?
(56:23):
What's all that sound in thebackground?
He's like, actually, I'm stillat the party.
So he was a hard drinker, hewas a hard liver, he, he was
pretty, he was pretty fabulous,though, and actually you know
what, now that I'm thinking ofit, I didn't include this in my
notes, but I know it exists andI want to mention it.
(56:43):
And this is from one of hismany friends is the way that
this quote is attributed.
Okay, he talked too loud, hedrank too much, he cursed like a
sailor, but he also sang likean angel, let strangers crash on
his couch and cried like a babywhen his kitten was sick.
He offended some, charmed many,but was forgotten by none.
Marissa (57:09):
Isn't that sweet?
Oh, my gosh, that's so sweet.
Clem.
It sounds like Clem lived avery full, happy life.
Yes, and I am here for that.
And let's all raise a glass Ofcognac, of cognac specifically.
Yes To the Baron Clement von.
(57:31):
I already forgot.
Courtney (57:33):
It's a long name, let's okay, let's all raise a
glass to the Baron Clement vonFrankenstein Ding.
Cheers, cheers, cheers, cheers.
If we've piqued your curiosity,please subscribe on Substack at
deadandkindoffamoussubstackcom.
We list each episode there,along with photos, newsletters,
(57:55):
sources and more.
You can also find us whereveryou get your podcasts.
Until next time, you might notbe famous, but you got a story
to tell and you're not done yet.
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