Name: Hollywood Walk of Fame
Address: Hollywood Boulevard, Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Rating: 4

Famous Hollywood sidewalk area emblazoned with stars & celebrity names since 1960.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Provided by Google

Disneyland Park

Santa Monica Pier

Griffith Park

Disney California Adventure Park

Taro Michigan

Jennifer Feliciano

Matías Gagliardone

said rivera

John Townzen

The Hollywood Walk of Fame was officially dedicated on February 8, 1960, though the idea was conceived much earlier.

Official Dedication

Stars are awarded in five categories: Motion Pictures, Television, Recording, Radio, and Live Theatre/Performance. A sixth category, Sports, was added later but discontinued.

Original Categories

Some individuals have multiple stars, one for each category in which they've excelled. For example, James Cagney has stars in three categories.

Double Star Recipient

As of 2024, there are over 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and 3 blocks of Vine Street.

Star Count

Muhammad Ali received a star in 2002, but it's the only star placed on a wall (at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, near Highland Avenue) rather than the sidewalk, due to his request that people not walk on his name.

A Star's Absence

As of 2024, the cost to create and install a star is around $40,000, paid by the honoree's sponsoring organization (record label, studio, etc.). This covers the creation of the star, installation, and maintenance.

Star Sponsorship

Gene Autry is the record holder for the most stars on the Walk of Fame, with one in each of the five original categories.

Most Stars

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Los Angeles landmark, distinguishes itself not merely through its star-studded sidewalks, but through the rigorous selection process managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Each year, hundreds are nominated, yet only a select few receive the honor, judged on professional achievements, longevity in their field, contributions to the community, and a guarantee to attend the dedication ceremony. Interestingly, the Walk of Fame isn't limited to actors; it celebrates figures across motion pictures, television, radio, recording, and live theatre/performance. A lesser-known category existed for corporate entities, though it was discontinued. The stars themselves are terrazzo and brass, each bearing the honoree's name and an emblem representing their category. The emblems are not always straightforward; for instance, a classic microphone represents radio, while a television set symbolizes, unsurprisingly, television. The Walk's expansion has been a topic of discussion, with potential extensions considered to accommodate future honorees, ensuring its continued relevance as a symbol of entertainment industry achievement.

Introduction

The Hollywood Walk of Fame stars feature inlaid brass emblems indicating the honoree's entertainment industry category. There are six fixed categories, each represented by a specific emblem: motion pictures (a camera), television (a television set), audio recording or music (a phonograph record), radio (a microphone), theater/live performance (theater masks), and sports entertainment. The sports entertainment category was added in 2023 to acknowledge contributions of athletes to the entertainment industry.

Of all the stars, nearly half are awarded in the motion pictures category. Television accounts for nearly a quarter, while audio recording or music comprises a smaller percentage. Radio receives a small percentage, and theater/live performance and sports entertainment have the fewest stars. The emblems serve not only as category indicators but also as visual representations of the diverse contributions recognized on the Walk of Fame. The selection committees, originally meeting at the Brown Derby restaurant, included industry giants who determined the honorees based on their achievements within these categories. The emblems are integral to the star's design, set below the honoree's name, and contribute to the Walk's overall aesthetic and informative value.

Entertainment Category Emblems

In 2008, the Hollywood Walk of Fame initiated a comprehensive restoration project, evaluating all 2,365 stars to address damage ranging from minor cosmetic flaws to severe structural issues that posed walking hazards. Stars belonging to Joan Collins, Peter Frampton, and Dick Van Patten, among others, received "F" grades, indicating the most severe damage. The restoration, estimated to cost over $4 million, is a collaborative effort involving the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles city and county governmental offices, and the MTA, due to concerns that subway-related earth movement contributes to the damage.

To supplement funding, the "Friends of Walk of Fame" program was introduced, offering corporate sponsors recognition through honorary plaques near the Dolby Theatre. Simultaneously, Los Angeles introduced the "Heart of Hollywood Master Plan," with a $4 million renovation to improve the streetscape. A master plan was commissioned to widen sidewalks, add bike lanes and landscaping, and remove car traffic lanes. Phase one includes removing parking lanes between Orange Drive and Gower Street, adding street furnishings and sidewalk widening. Phase two, planned for 2024, will reduce the boulevard to two lanes and introduce landscaping with shade trees and public plazas. The $50 million project aims for completion by 2026.

Restoration and Preservation

The Hollywood Walk of Fame's historical evolution began with its conception in 1953 by E.M. Stuart, then president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, aiming to preserve Hollywood's allure. Construction started in 1958, with the initial unveiling of eight stars on August 15, 1958, and the first permanent star, dedicated to director Stanley Kramer, laid in February 1960. The original concept was to pay tribute to the movie industry's past and present through an aesthetic design featuring a terrazzo and brass emblem.

Initially, the Walk honored primarily film stars but expanded over time to include contributors from television, music, radio, and live performance. The selection criteria have also evolved, requiring nominees to demonstrate significant achievements and a minimum of five years of experience in their respective fields. Renovations and expansions have been periodically undertaken to accommodate the growing number of stars.

Early star prototypes featured caricatures, but these were deemed too expensive and difficult to execute. The original color scheme was also rejected due to aesthetic concerns. The selection committees, which included prominent figures like Cecil B. DeMille and Walt Disney, initially stipulated strict sales requirements for music category nominees, a rule later rescinded, leading to the creation of the Grammy Awards. Lawsuits also played a role in the Walk's early history, causing delays in its completion. Today, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to add stars, maintaining the Walk as a world-class tourist attraction.

Historical Evolution

The Hollywood Walk of Fame's star nomination process is managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which accepts nominations annually. The selection committee, which convenes each June, considers approximately 200 nominations to select around 24-30 honorees for the subsequent year. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, including fans, for individuals active in entertainment, provided the nominee or their management approves. Nominees must possess a minimum of five years' experience in their category and a history of community contributions. Posthumous nominations require the nominee to have been deceased for at least two years.

Living recipients must commit to attending a presentation ceremony within two years of their selection. If a ceremony isn't scheduled within this timeframe, a new application is necessary. For deceased recipients, a relative must attend the presentation. The selection criteria include professional achievements, longevity in their field, and civic contributions. The Chamber's Board of Directors and the City of Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works Department must also approve the selections.

Notably, nominations not selected are reconsidered the following year, but those passed over twice are dropped and require renomination. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce retains full discretion over all nominations and selections, with procedures subject to change without notice. Performing duos or groups require written consent from their management, and the nomination must include the names of all past and present members.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Did You Know?

Official Dedication

Original Categories

Double Star Recipient

Star Count

Highlights from Reviews

Location