I often wish I could meet the stars who populate my tour and ask them questions. There are so many things I’d like to know. In the case of Orin Kennedy and Bernardo Puccio, I have that chance!
They have the distinction of being the only two living stars featured on the cemetery tour! Mr. Kennedy graciously agreed to share his thoughts with us!
“Nearly twenty years ago, as responsible adults, Bernardo Puccio and I decided to arrange for our final resting place. Didn’t want to leave that choice to family. After looking at several cemeteries, including Westwood Memorial and Forest Lawn, we chose Hollywood Forever (at the time Hollywood Memorial Cemetery). The location we selected was by the serene and beautiful lake in the Garden of Legends. We’d be surrounded with Hollywood stars like Tyrone Power, Marion Davies and Paramount studio mogul Harry Cohn. The site also had a splendid view of the Hollywood sign which symbolically represented our realized dreams of one day living and working in Los Angeles. Now we could be in Hollywood ‘forever.’
Eleven years later, in 2005, after three years of planning and construction, our memorial was completed. We chose a classic Greek design in white Carrara marble that would hold our ashes. The monument’s poetic engraving describes the commitment we made to one another 30 years before after a chance meeting at a West Hollywood restaurant:
TWO HEARTS
TWO SOULS
TOGETHER IN LOVE
FOREVER IN ETERNITY
We also wanted people to know once walked this earth as a couple….and as of 2012…..
for thirty-six years. Tyler Cassity, owner of Hollywood Forever, would later gift us with a tribute engraving on the East side of our monument:
BERNARDO PUCCIO AND ORIN KENNEDY
WERE UNITED IN MARRIAGE ON
SUNDAY, THE TWELFTH OF OCTOBER
TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT
The monument looked so beautiful we decided to celebrate our longtime relationship with friends and family with an unveiling, after which we screened a Hollywood Forever produced video of our lives in the adjacent Cathedral Mausoleum, Valentino’s resting place. The newspapers got wind of our story and although the LA Times headlined the event as
“In death they do not part – in fact, they have a party”, for us it was a serious public statement of our love. International interest also followed our story with film segments on English, French, German and Australian TV.
After taping our Life Story, for family and close friends, the film maker of that video asked if we would allow him to document our story as a feature documentary. He believed Bernardo and I were representative of what it takes to sustain a successful long term relationship; not only for same-sex couples, but for all couples regardless of gender. We agreed and so the unexpected journey began and the feature documentary AN ORDINARY COUPLE was born.
Three years later, the California Supreme Court would rule that denying opposite-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional. So on October 12, 2008, we were legally married in a loving and emotional ceremony here in Los Angeles.
One month later Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that stated:
“ Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California,” was passed by a small margin of voters, thus overturning the CA Supreme Court’s ruling. That put our marriage in jeopardy.
Bernardo, Gloria Allred and Orin at the Premiere at Outfest
It was challenged, and the Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8, and allowed our marriage and 18,000 other same-sex marriages that happened before the November elections to stand. At this point our film’s story ended, but the battle continues as the issue winds its way through the federal courts.
On August 4th 2010, U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutionally discriminatory. His decision was appealed and again a three judge panel upheld Prop 8 as being unconstitutional. Another appeal followed to a larger Federal Court, found unconstitutional, appealed and the case will probably end up in the Supreme Court.
In 2010 AN ORDINARY COUPLE was selected by the Birmingham SHOUT Film Festival and went on to win Best Documentary Feature and Audience Choice Awards, as well as the Audience Choice Award at the Fort Lauderdale Int’l Film Festival. AN ORDINARY COUPLE was also an official selection at Outfest in Los Angeles, Newfest in New York City, the Austin Film Festival, and Cinema Diverse in Palm Springs.
Our monument is now featured on Karie Bible’s Hollywood Forever Walking Tour. We have the distinction of being its only LIVING celebrities!
Bernardo Puccio, born in Birmingham, AL, is a distinguished interior designer and event planner. Orin Kennedy from New York City, after a 26 year career as a TV location manager, is Chairman Emeritus of the Location Manager’s Guild of America (LMGA).”
Proud Moment screening with Black Swan and 127 Hours at Austin Film Festival
AN ORDINARY COUPLE REVIEWS
EXTRAORDINARY.
“It’s the story itself that packs the punch, and this couple’s story can’t help but be extraordinary.” Austin Chronicle – Cindy Widner
BEAUTIFUL.
“This is a beautiful personal love story..like watching a movie on the history of gay America.” Cinema Pride – Amos Lassen
ENTERTAINING.
“It is more than entertaining…..laugh out loud..true outpouring of emotion.
Their love is clearly present and completely confident in the fact that it transcends politics, propositions and even ashes in a flashy monument at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.” The Austinist – Nick Gio Barbieri
INSPIRING.
“The duo are thoroughly inspiring.”
Examiner.com
WONDERFUL.
“Wonderful documentary. It’s enough to make you believe in love again.”
Greg in Hollywood
“Worth your time and money.” We Ho News – Roy R. Oldencamp
TIMELESS.
“Fantastic story of love and the search for happiness. Fantastic to see these two characters together. cinemagay.it
CHARISMATIC.
“A charismatic couple who live life to the fullest, and do it with great flair.”
Century City News – Marci Weiner
CHARMING.
“The reasoned tone and charming subjects of “An Ordinary Couple” could quietly change some minds.” Wade On Birmingham – Chance Shirley
ANYTHING BUT.
“Puccio and Kennedy, on paper, seem to be an ordinary couple, but meeting them proves to be anything but.” FRONTIERS – G.M. Kramer and L.Goldberg
POPULAR.
“A popular study of LGBT history told through the stories of men who have lived through it.” indieWIRE
