Part two:
More than 70 hospitals have closed in California in the last 12 years, and many are reeling from the effects of the economic downturn, the troubled financial markets and government budget problems.
The fund's Tillman said the decision "reflects some sobering economic realities that are affecting healthcare institutions nationwide. With costs skyrocketing and government reimbursement declining, operating our own acute-care and long-term-care facility is draining our resources at an alarming rate."
Tillman said the home planned to transfer about 100 residents to other long-term-care facilities. The transfers would begin in about 60 days.
The decision hit close to home for entertainment attorney Mark Fleischer, who serves on the board of the fund and whose mother has been a resident of the long-term care facility since October 2005. His father, "Doctor Dolittle" director Richard Fleischer, lived there until he died in 2006, as did his late grandfather Max Fleischer, who created the cartoon character Betty Boop.
"It's a sad thing, because when people move out here they do it with the expectation that it will be their final move," Fleischer said. "The level of care is unique. I suspect we'll find a facility that will be perfectly fine for my mother, but I don't think we'll ever see the same level of human care and compassion."
The closure of the hospital is expected to have little effect on nearby hospitals because it admits fewer than two patients a day on average and doesn't have an emergency room.
The fund will offer severance packages and help the laid-off employees find jobs. Still, the news hit workers hard as many considered the prospect of looking for new positions in a recession.
Los Angeles Times obituaries chronicle the lives and deaths of hundreds of actors, writers, publicists, directors, dancers and screenwriters -- headliners and the obscure -- who spent their final years at the country home and hospital.
Comedian Robert Cummings, the bachelor photographer in the 1950s television comedy "The Bob Cummings Show," died there in 1990 at 80. Actor-cowboy Joel McCrea died there in 1990 at 84. Comedian Jerry Colonna, remembered for his 6-inch walrus mustache, died there in 1986 at 82. House Peters Jr. -- Mr. Clean in the 1950s and 1960s -- died there in October at 92. **** "Mr. Whipple" Wilson passed away there in 2007 at 91.
Entertainment industry workers and union officials were stunned by the news.
"I'm heartbroken," said Sharon Smith Holley, a visual-effects editor who serves on the board of the Motion Picture Editors Guild. "It's such a wonderful facility, and they have very caring and amazing doctors. This is just ripping apart our sense of community."
Added Steve Dayan, business agent for Local 399 of the Teamsters: "Our industry has always been committed to taking care of our retirees. This is a sad day."