Greta Ferell; Restaurateur, Caterer to Stars

Greta Ferell, 81, Swedish restaurateur and caterer to such stars as Bob Hope, Michael Douglas, Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, died May 3 in Orange of complications of pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The young immigrant developed an interest in cooking while working as a domestic for actresses Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer and Myrna Loy, and later set up her catering business. Ferell catered “wrap” parties and other events for Columbia, Universal, Warner Bros. and other studios for more than 30 years.

She also served at events hosted by Los Angeles Mayors Sam Yorty and Tom Bradley and Gov. Jerry Brown.

Her restaurants included the Three Crowns in Los Angeles during the 1950s, Greta Ferell’s Superb Cuisine in Encino in the 1960s, and Greta Ferell’s Restaurant in Tarzana in the 1970s.