The scandalous Hollywood history of the Chateau Marmont has once again come under the spotlight in the wake of Britney Spears’ shocking incident at the Los Angeles hotel this week.
The 42-year-old pop star was photographed barefoot and in her underwear, clutching a pillow, being escorted out of the hotel early Thursday morning after an alleged altercation with her boyfriend, prompting emergency services’ response.
While not the first time The Toxic singer has been involved with drama at Chateau Marmont — she was sent packing after smearing food on her face in the dining room in 2007 — the latest drama renewed interest in the notorious tales that have unfolded within the walls of the 1929 building.
From clandestine affairs to extravagant parties and a spectrum of tragedies, the celebrity haven has drawn in stars like Natalie Wood, John Belushi, Keanu Reeves, Lindsay Lohan and more.
Even Columbia Pictures co-founder and president Harry Cohn once said, ‘If you must get into trouble, go to the Marmont.’
As the hotel provides the backdrop for Spears’ latest drama – DailyMail.com looks back at the Sunset Boulevard’s establishment’s most jaw-dropping scandals…
The scandalous Hollywood history of the Chateau Marmont (pictured) has once again come under the spotlight, fueled by Britney Spears’ shocking incident at the Los Angeles hotel
From clandestine affairs to extravagant parties and a spectrum of tragedies, the celebrity haven has drawn in stars like Natalie Wood, John Belushi, Keanu Reeves , Lindsay Lohan and more
Britney sparks ‘mental health crisis’ concerns
Spears sparked ‘mental health crisis’ concerns at the Chateau Marmont in the early hours of Thursday morning as shock photos showed the barefoot star wrapped in a blanket being escorted out to emergency services
fire truck was spotted at the Hollywood hotel, further adding to the dramatic scene. Back in 2007, the mother-of-two was kicked out of the hotel after smearing food across her face and body in the dining room; seen in 2013
In a scene reminiscent of her 2008 meltdown, Spears sparked concerns of a ‘mental health crisis’ at the Chateau Marmont in the early hours of Thursday morning. Shocking photos captured the barefoot star, wrapped in a blanket, being escorted out to emergency services.
Clad in her underwear and clutching a pillow, the distressed 42-year-old appeared disheveled, with abrasions on her knees and seeming to be topless. Surrounded by security and her alleged boyfriend Paul Richard Soliz, Spears left the hotel amid claims of a heated altercation, with witnesses reporting her harassing and threatening hotel employees and guests.
A man was observed wheeling a stretcher loaded with the star’s belongings, while a fire truck was spotted at the Hollywood hotel, further adding to the dramatic scene.
Back in 2007, the mother-of-two was kicked out of the hotel after smearing food across her face and body in the dining room.
Lindsay Lohan banned for $43K unpaid tab
Lindsay Lohan stayed in the Chateau Hotel during June and July of 2012, all the while racking up heavy room service bills; seen in 2011
The Mean Girls star stayed in the Chateau Hotel during June and July of 2012, all the while racking up heavy room service bills.
She ordered up room service meals, cigarettes and regularly used the mini bar during her stay but failed to pay the hotel for their services, a total of $46,350.04, forcing the manager to ban her from the premises.
At the time, Lindsay received not only notice to vacate her suite but also a prohibition from utilizing the hotel’s amenities or dining at its renowned restaurant.
‘Furthermore, until we get the matter of your outstanding debt paid, know that we will be unable to host you on property or in the restaurant,’ read a manager’s note to the star, obtained by TMZ.
She was staying in the hotel while she filmed Liz & Dick – where she played Elizabeth Taylor in the biopic of her life.
Keanu Reeves moves in during the 90s for ‘crazy, wild times’
The John Wick actor made the Chateau his official residence back in the 90s when it was still a bit seedy; seen in 2023
The John Wick actor made the Chateau his official residence back in the 90s.
‘You didn’t want to take your shoes off,’ Reeves recalled to GQ in 2019.
‘You could have a conversation,’ he added. ‘You could have a tryst. You could f****** do drugs. You could hang out. For me, there’s still that pulse here.’
In the 2012 documentary Sunset Strip, he said, ‘I had some really great, crazy, wild times there, and some that probably overstepped the bounds a little bit personally, where you just have, you know some emotional blowback.’
John Belushi overdoses after partying with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams
Among the myriad of shocking events at the Chateau Marmont, none have garnered as much infamy as comedian John Belushi’s overdose in 1982; seen in 1980
Among the myriad of shocking events at the Chateau Marmont, none have garnered as much infamy as comedian John Belushi’s overdose in 1982.
According to a court report, Belushi was mixing heroin and cocaine (a combo known as a speedball) and died in his sleep.
The original Saturday Night Live cast member had checked into his usual private bungalow at the hotel on February 28, 1982 – almost a week before he suffered the fatal overdose on March 5 at the age of 33.
Robert De Niro and Robin Williams were among the last people to see Belushi alive, per Shawn Levy’s book, The Castle on Sunset.
Levy reported the Animal House star was visited by De Niro on the evening of March 4 1982 because he wanted to go partying – but De Niro left after being freaked out by the state of the suite.
The original Saturday Night Live cast member had checked into his usual private bungalow at the hotel on February 28, 1982 – almost a week before he suffered the fatal overdose on March 5 at the age of 33
Cocaine was piled on the living room table, there was dirty laundry everywhere and the place was littered with discarded pizza boxes and wine bottles, per the author.
De Niro returned 3am to do cocaine, as did Robin Williams but both left Belushi in the squalor of the $250 a night bungalow because they found the scene so disturbing, according to the author.
At noon the next day Belushi was found unconscious by his bodyguard Bill Wallace.
Anthony Perkins and Tab Hunter met poolside and began two-year affair
!['Gay Hollywood hung out at the pool. [Fifties heartthrob] Tab Hunter — stopping by for a dip on his way home from horseback riding in the Valley — met Anthony Perkins there, and they began a two-year affair.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/02/23/84393779-13377007-image-m-31_1714687376102.jpg)
In the closet actors Anthony Perkins and Tab Hunter met poolside and began a secret affair – until the studios told Perkins to cut Hunter loose, according to reports.
In the closet actors Anthony Perkins and Tab Hunter met poolside and began a secret affair – until the studios told Perkins to cut Hunter loose, according to reports.
The Castle on Sunset author Levy wrote of the Chateau: ‘Gay Hollywood hung out at the pool. [Fifties heartthrob] Tab Hunter — stopping by for a dip on his way home from horseback riding in the Valley — met Anthony Perkins there, and they began a two-year affair.’
Rebel Without A Cause director began affair with then 16-year-old Natalie Wood
After stumbling upon his wife, actress Gloria Grahame, engaged in a liaison with his son from a previous marriage, director Nicholas Ray sought solace at the Chateau Marmont; Grahame and Ray in 1950
After stumbling upon his wife, actress Gloria Grahame, engaged in a liaison with his son from a previous marriage, director Nicholas Ray sought solace at the Chateau Marmont, claims Levy.
The 43-year-old filmmaker became known for hosting regular Sunday afternoon pool parties, drawing a diverse crowd of studio executives and local Hollywood High students.
Among these youthful attendees was 16-year-old Natalie Wood, a star of Ray’s 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause.
The 43-year-old filmmaker became known for hosting regular Sunday afternoon pool parties at the Chateau, where he began an affair with then 16-year-old Natalie Wood; Wood in 1964
Despite their significant age gap, Wood and Ray embarked on a passionate affair, although she was already involved romantically with her Rebel co-star Dennis Hopper.
According to Levy, both Ray and Hopper were romantically involved with Wood, though Ray managed his jealousy by reducing Hopper’s screen time.
Iconic fashion photographer Helmut Newton fatally crashes into Chateau Marmont garage
Renowned photographer Helmut Newton tragically lost control of his car as he exited the Marmont garage, resulting in a fatal crash into a wall; seen in 1990
In 2004, the Chateau Marmont witnessed another devastating incident, marking a tragic loss in the world of fashion photography.
Renowned photographer Helmut Newton, known for his provocative and iconic works, tragically lost control of his car as he exited the Marmont garage, resulting in a fatal crash into a wall.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Newton had suffered a heart attack, leading to the accident.
