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Notable Figures

from the Cockatoo Inn universe

A short and sweet title for this section.

cockatoo-inn-andrew-lococo
Andrew (Andy) J. Lococo

Owner, Cockatoo Inn

Milwaukeean Andy Lococo moved to Southern California in 1943, and worked in Oceanside before purchasing a dingy place called the Cockatoo Cafe.  When a fire destroyed it in 1958, Lococo relaunched with lavish improvements. He ran for office in 1968. Labeled by the FBI as a member of organized crime, Andrew J. Lococo was convicted of perjury in 1970. After divesting of the Cockatoo, he was known for owning the largest tuna fishing vessel in the world.

He died in 1973 at the age of 55. Ownership of the Cockatoo Inn changed hands a number of times after his death. Despite the various legal battles and questions surrounding certain events, Andy led an extraordinary life that we will continue to detail on this site.

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Frank Lococo

Manager, Cockatoo Inn

Frank was Andy Lococo’s cousin. According to an LA Times interview he gave, Frank was a manager at the Cockatoo Inn during the 1950s and 60s. He later purchased the Kopper Kart Restaurant in 1964. His love of restaurants and people was evident in his many workplaces from the Cockatoo Inn, Lococo’s, Del Rae, Kopper Kart and Hungry Tiger establishments.

Born in the Third Ward of Milwaukee, WI to Rose and Joseph Lococo, Frank was the oldest of four sons. After graduating from Lincoln High, Frank served in the US Army Air Corps. On his return, Frank married Mary Maggiore and raised sons Joe, Tony, Frank and Steve.

He passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in 2016.

(Source: The Los Angeles Times, Legacy)

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Roy A. Sealey

Architect, Cockatoo Inn

Roy A. Sealey was a prominent architect who played an integral role in creating spaces that facilitated community. That included the Cockatoo Inn.

Working under renown architect, Paul Revere Williams, Sealey grew quickly and left to start his own firm. The famous story was that Williams said it should be a “leave of absence” in case it didn’t work out. Luckily for Sealey, that wasn’t the case.

Roy A. Sealey established himself as a premier architect in LA and of the Googie-style design. He worked for prominent institutions and even movie stars.

Read our full profile of Roy A. Sealey, including his early life, and some of his work around Los Angeles.

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John F. Kennedy

35th President of the United States

JFK was the 35th President of the United States. According to a 1997 New York Times article, he was rumored to have had a reserved room at the Cockatoo Inn. On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas – one of the most infamous and debated history events of the 20th century. Countless books, films and programs have been made discussing the various theories surrounding his assasination, life, and the “Kennedy Curse.” After his death, Congress enacted many of his proposals, including the Civil Rights Act and the Revenue Act of 1964.

Kennedy ranks highly in polls of U.S. presidents with historians and the general public.

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Marilyn Monroe

American Actress

In the same New York Times article from 1997, actress and socialite Marilyn Monroe was rumored to have had rendezvoused at the Cockatoo Inn with at least one of the Kennedy brothers. As a child, Monroe – born Norma Jeane Mortenson – lived in Hawthorne, CA for a short time, a stone’s throw from the Cockatoo. By 1953, Monroe was one of the most marketable Hollywood stars; she had leading roles in the noir film Niagara, and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. She was married retired baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible). She died August 4, 1962 in Los Angeles.

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Quentin Tarantino

Film Director

Quentin Tarantino is the only known director to have captured the Cockatoo Inn on film with 1997’s Jackie Brown. This effort forever preserved the image of the now-razed Cockatoo Inn. He shot specific locations in the South Bay, and the Cockatoo had to be reopened and prepped before appearing in the film.

Tarantino burst onto the scene with the critically acclaimed, Reservoir Dogs (1992), and followed up with his magnum opus, Pulp Fiction in 1994.  Other classics followed, including Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, Death Proof, and The Hateful Eight.

His most recent film, 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Al Pacino.

Former Cockatoo Inn Owners, Employees, Staff and Acts

This is a running tally of Cockatoo Inn associates that we have encountered, and those who have performed at the Cockatoo Inn or were have known to have performed there. If you know anyone on this list, their obituaries, photos, current whereabouts, or know of others not on this list, please email us or DM us @cockatooinn.

Harriet Gibson

Singer, Pianist, Comedienne and Impressionist. Her “great piano styling was laced with comedy and a saucy hint of hi-camp.” c. 1980s.

Mulholland Drive

Live music band who often played at the Cockatoo Inn late nights. c. 1980s.

The Topnotchers

The instrumental, vocal and comedy group performed at the Cockatoo Inn, c. 1960s. They were previously seen on the Arthur Godfrey Show.

Umphaa Band

Live band who played at Oktoberfest parties held at the Cockatoo Inn. c. 1980s.

Val Crotty

Val had various jobs, like Assistant Bell Captain, chauffeur, etc. c. 1978. Check out these great pictures and more from our interview with Val!

Peter Conway

Cook at the Cockatoo Inn, c. 1964-65. Check out our interview with Peter!

Helmut Strelow

Assistant Manager of the Cockatoo Inn and former chef. c. 1981. Left the Cockatoo in 1982 to join the famous restaurant, Perino’s before it closed in 1986.

Mary McPadden-Bigda

Director of Purchasing, c. Late 1980s – Early ’90s. Mary was kind enough to answer our questions in this interview – check it out!

Favian Gonzales

Room service waiter from 1989 to 1994. Check out our interview with Favian!

Tony Armand

Maître d’, c. 1981

Jeanette King

Executive Housekeeper at the Cockatoo Inn, c. 1981. Formerly of Hilton Hotel Corp, Mrs. King had a long, distinguished career in hospitality management.

Vern Wilson

Maître d’, c. 1989

Allan Rivelli

Bartender at the Cockatoo sometime between 1950-60s. View Allan’s picture and story.

Stan Sharma

Former owner of the Cockatoo Inn c. 1980s – early ’90s.

Richard A. Young

General Manager, c. 1981. He left in 1984 when he became vice president and general manager of the Palm Springs Marquis. Check out our write-up on Richard.

Luis M.

Cockatoo Inn Bell Service, c. 1978

Inez Delacerda

Waitress, c. 1960s. Read what her daughter had to say about her fond Cockatoo memories.

Inga E. McCahan

Director of Sales, c. 1981. Formerly employed wth the Hacienda Hotel, El Segundo.

Jack Skandalakis

Food and Beverage Director, c. 1981. Formerly employed at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Mike Mulligan

Sales Manager, Cockatoo Inn, c. 1981. Graduated from Humboldt State, formerly worked at Hyatt Hotels. Was invited to try out for the US Olympic Soccer team.

Al Sandoval

Manager, interviewed new hires. c. 1978.

Jack French

Manager, interviewed new hires. c. 1981.

Steve Garvey

Manager, interviewed new security. c. 1981.

Terry Jackson

Dining Room Manager, c. 1983.

Sally Coronado

Manager, interviewed new hires. c. 1980.

Marsha NL

Manager, interviewed new clerical and admin hires. c. 1981.

John Marvos

Senior VP at California Hotels Corp. which managed the Cockatoo Inn, c. 1994.

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