BY: Jill Alphonso

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Died: In his sleep at age 88 in 1977

Room with a view: A Swiss house overlooking Lake Leman was Chaplin's home for the final 25 years of his life. It is scheduled to open in 2010 with a permanent exhibition, a 200-seat cinema, a shop and a restaurant. After Chaplin's death, Eugene, one of his sons, lived in the home until 2006.

ELVIS PRESLEY

Died: Of a drug overdose at age 77 in 1942

Room with a view: The 23-room home of Presley in Memphis, Tennesee, is called Graceland. It was turned into a famous museum in 1982.

Presley is buried in its garden along with grandmother and his parents.

Besides exhibits, events such as weddings can be held there.

MEI LANFANG

Died: Of a heart attack at age 66 in 1961

Room with a view: The Beijing Opera star, known for playing female roles in operas such as Farewell My Concubine, is said to have influenced Charlie Chaplin.

The former home of Mei in Beijing was turned into a shrine and museum in 1986. It displays paintings by the
opera star.

WILLIAM S. HART

Died: At age 81 in 1946

Room with a view: The silent-film star of Westerns like Tumbleweeds (1925), lived at Hart Mansion in Southern California for 20 years. He bought the 22-room house in 1921 and gave it to the Los Angeles County after his death.

He is said to haunt the site, and the spectral scent of coffee is said to waft through the museum.

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