Svend Petersen has one last break.
After the Beverly Hills hotel’s beloved pool manager died aged 90 on December 22, 2020, his remains were trapped in a state of uncertainty for a year as none of the survivors said so. . Enter Johnny Fink. Real estate agent and former producer ($$Fink met Petersen in the summer of 1982, when Fink was hired to work at the pool.
“It was fantastic,” recalls Fink, who is currently buying a book called Memories of a Beverly Hills Bathroom Boy. “Very fun and very funny. “Svend took care of all the heavyweights that came to the hotel and made sure everyone felt important and had everything they needed.”
Petersen began rescuing cult properties in 1959, after arriving in Los Angeles from his native Denmark with just a few dollars to his name. He worked at the hotel for a total of 54 years, during which time he became close to such stars as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Carson and Faye Dunaway (whom he taught to swim for her role). Dear mother). In 2017, he went through hard times and became homeless, saving the Good Samaritan couple and the GoFundMe campaign, which helped keep him in the spotlight and a permanent place of residence.
As for Fink, after graduating from college and leaving the Beverly Hills Hotel, she continued modeling in Europe before working in Hollywood (including an internship for “Celebrity Party Planners”) and as a producer. (Memories he is working on include the author’s 40 years, from his “adventure or misfortune” hotel to his stay in Tinselton.) Pool to greet and sign up for. Recently, however, the two lost contact, but still, Fink said she couldn’t stand the idea that Petersen hadn’t been given a tribute or proper resting place, so he filed an ex parte motion. Remove the ashes from the Los Angeles field morgue.
After the original plan to ship Petersen’s remains to Denmark failed, he settled in Solvang, a Danish town near Santa Barbara, whom he remembers loving Petersen. “I’m so glad we were able to do this and send you the message that you liked and appreciated it,” concludes Fink, who provided an intimate service in which he recited a brief eulogy in front of an engraved stone that reads “O by the pool. ” The prince.” “, see below. “It is a very idyllic and beautiful place. I take comfort in the fact that he is home now.”
Johnny Fink
Courtesy of Johnny Fink
Johnny Fink poses next to the Sved Petersen Memorial in Solvang, California.
Courtesy of Johnny Fink
This file photo shows Johnny Fink and Svend Petersen together at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Courtesy of Johnny Fink
A version of this story first appeared in the April 13 issue of The Gossipify. Click here to subscribe.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
