The Walk of Fame today Hollywood Walk of Fame

1 walk of fame today

1.1 multiple stars
1.2 controversial additions
1.3 stars same name
1.4 bending rules
1.5 unique , unusual
1.6 fictional characters , creators
1.7 star locations
1.8 errors , mysteries
1.9 theft , vandalism
1.10 4 ladies of hollywood

the walk of fame today
multiple stars

the original selection committees chose recognize entertainers contributions in multiple categories multiple stars. gene autry honoree stars in 5 categories. bob hope, mickey rooney, roy rogers, , tony martin each have stars in 4 categories—rooney has 3 of own , fourth eighth , final wife, jan, while rogers has 3 of own, , fourth band, sons of pioneers. thirty-three people, including bing crosby, frank sinatra, dean martin, dinah shore, gale storm, danny kaye, douglas fairbanks jr., , jack benny, have stars in 3 categories.

seven recording artists have 2 stars in same category distinct achievements: michael jackson, soloist , member of jackson 5; diana ross, member of supremes , solo work; smokey robinson, solo artist , member of miracles; , john lennon, ringo starr, george harrison, , paul mccartney individuals , members of beatles. cher forfeited opportunity declining schedule mandatory personal appearance when selected in 1983. did attend unveiling of sonny & cher star in 1998 tribute deceased ex-husband, sonny bono.

george eastman honoree 2 stars in same category same achievement, invention of roll film.

in 1977, country singer loretta lynn first of genre receive star on walk of fame.

controversial additions

selected 1956, installed 1972

charlie chaplin honoree selected twice same star on walk. unanimously voted initial group of 500 in 1956 selection committee excluded him, ostensibly due questions regarding morals (he had been charged violating mann act—and exonerated—during white slavery hysteria of 1940s), more due left-leaning political views. rebuke prompted unsuccessful lawsuit son, charles chaplin jr. star added walk in 1972, same year received academy award; then, 16 years later, chamber of commerce received angry letters across country protesting decision include him.

the committee s chaplin difficulties reportedly contributed decision in 1978 against awarding star paul robeson, brilliant controversial opera singer, actor, athlete, writer, lawyer, , social activist. resulting outcry entertainment industry, civic circles, local , national politicians, , many other quarters intense decision reversed , robeson awarded star in 1979.

stars same name

two pairs of stars share identical names representing different people. there 2 harrison ford stars, honoring silent film actor (at 6665 hollywood boulevard), , present-day actor (in front of dolby theatre @ 6801 hollywood boulevard). 2 michael jackson stars represent singer/dancer/songwriter (at 6927 hollywood boulevard), , radio personality (at 1597 vine street). when recording artist jackson died in 2009, fans mistakenly began leaving flowers, candles, , other tributes @ vine street star. upon learning of this, radio host wrote on website, willingly loan[ing] him and, if bring him back, can have it.

the common surname, sixteen stars, williams: andy williams, bill williams, billy dee williams, cindy williams, earle williams, esther williams, guy williams, hank williams, joe williams, kathlyn williams, paul williams, pharrell williams, robin williams, roger williams, tex williams , vanessa williams. there fourteen stars surname moore, twelve jones, , 7 smith.

the largest collection of stars honoring 1 group of blood relatives scattered set of 7 representing barrymore family: john barrymore, brother lionel (who has two), , sister ethel, uncle sidney drew, john s son john drew barrymore, , john drew s daughter drew barrymore.

bending rules

one of 4 monuments recognizing apollo 11 astronauts @ corners of hollywood , vine

walk of fame rules prohibit consideration of nominees contributions fall outside 5 major entertainment categories, selection committee has been known conjure interesting rule interpretations justify selection. walk s 4 round moon landing monuments @ corners of hollywood , vine, example, officially recognize apollo 11 astronauts contributions television industry . johnny grant acknowledged, in 2005, classifying first moon landing television entertainment event bit of stretch . magic johnson s considerable basketball skills had no direct connection movies, music, tv, radio, or theater, committee added him motion picture category, based on ownership of magic johnson theatre chain, citing precedent sid grauman, builder of grauman s (now tcl) chinese theatre. [now] people want orville redenbacher, grant quipped in 2005 interview, because popcorn in theaters.

muhammad ali s star granted after committee decided boxing considered form of live performance . placement, on wall of dolby theatre, makes star mounted on vertical surface, acceding ali s request name not walked upon.

all living honorees have been required since 1968 attend star s unveiling, , approximately 40 have declined honor due condition. recipient date failed appear after agreeing barbra streisand, in 1976. star unveiled anyway, near intersection of hollywood , highland. streisand did attend when husband, james brolin, unveiled star in 1998 2 blocks east.

unique , unusual

fourteen stars identified one-word stage name, including parkyakarkus, principal pseudonym of harry einstein, comedian , radio personality (and father of albert brooks , bob einstein). other 13 cantinflas, houdini, liberace, mako, meiklejohn, paderewski, roseanne, sabu, shakira, slash, sting, thalía, , usher.

the largest group of individuals represented single star estimated 122 adults , 12 children collectively known munchkins, landmark 1939 film wizard of oz.

clayton moore inextricably linked lone ranger character, though played other roles during career, 1 of 2 actors have character s name alongside own on star. other tommy riggs, star reads, tommy riggs & betty lou.

for more 40 years, singer jimmy boyd youngest star recipient @ age 20, lost distinction in 2004 18-year-old twins mary-kate , ashley olsen. joint star (the 1 shared twins) outside dolby theatre, near hollywood , highland center.

the westmores received first star honoring contributions in theatrical make-up. other make-up artists on walk max factor, john chambers , rick baker. 3 stars recognize experts in special effects: ray harryhausen, dennis muren, , stan winston. 1 costume designer has received star, eight-time academy award winner edith head.

sidney sheldon 1 of 2 novelists star, earned writing screenplays such bachelor , bobby-soxer before turning novels. other ray bradbury, books , stories have formed basis of dozens of movies , television programs on 60-year period.

ten inventors have stars on walk: george eastman (as mentioned); thomas edison, inventor of first true film projector , holder of numerous patents related motion-picture technology; lee de forest, inventor of vacuum tube, made radio , tv possible, , phonofilm, made sound movies possible; merian c. cooper, co-inventor of cinerama process; herbert kalmus, inventor of technicolor; auguste , louis lumière, inventors of important components of motion picture camera; mark serrurier, inventor of technology used film editing; hedy lamarr, co-inventor of frequency-hopping radio guidance system precursor wi-fi networks , cellular telephone systems; , ray dolby, co-developer of video tape recorder , inventor of dolby noise reduction system.

a few star recipients moved on after entertainment careers political notability. 2 presidents, ronald reagan , donald trump, have stars on walk. reagan 1 of 2 governors of california star; other arnold schwarzenegger. 1 u.s. senator (george murphy) , 2 members of u.s. house of representatives (helen gahagan , sonny bono) have stars. ignacy paderewski, served prime minister of poland between world wars, european head of government represented. film , stage actor albert dekker served 1 term in california state assembly during 1940s, notable outspoken public criticism of senator joseph mccarthy s anti-communism demagoguery, leading blacklisting.

fictional characters , creators


mickey mouse s star first awarded animated character

in 1978, in honor of 50th anniversary, mickey mouse became first animated character receive star. other animated recipients bugs bunny, donald duck, woody woodpecker, snow white, tinker bell, winnie pooh, shrek, simpsons, rugrats, , snoopy. star inscribed charlie tuna honors not animated advertising mascot, art ferguson, long-time radio personality , game show announcer.

other fictional characters on walk include munchkins (as mentioned), 2 individual muppets (kermit frog , big bird) , muppets group, 1 monster (godzilla), , 3 non-animated canine characters (strongheart, lassie, , rin tin tin).

ten stars recognize cartoonists , animators: walt disney, chuck jones, friz freleng, walter lantz, hanna–barbera, charles m. schulz, jay ward, dr. seuss, matt groening , john lasseter. 2 puppeteers have stars: jim henson , shari lewis, fran allison, appeared burr tillstrom s puppets on tv show kukla, fran , ollie.

star locations

locations of individual stars not random or arbitrary. stars of legendary , world-famous celebrities—the so-called show business royalty —are found in front of tcl (formerly grauman s) chinese theatre. oscar winners stars placed near dolby theatre, site of annual academy awards presentations. decisions made dollop of whimsy: mike myers s star, example, lies in front of adult store called international love boutique, association austin powers roles; roger moore s star located @ 7007 hollywood boulevard in recognition of 7 james bond films; ed o neill s star located outside shoe store in reference character s occupation on tv show married...with children; , last star, @ end of westernmost portion of walk, belongs dead end kids.

honorees may request specific location star, although final decisions remain chamber. jay leno, example, requested spot near corner of hollywood blvd. , highland ave. because twice picked @ location police vagrancy (though never charged) shortly after arrival in hollywood. george carlin chose have star placed in front of kday radio station near corner of sunset blvd. , vine st., first gained national recognition. carol burnett explained choice in 1986 memoir: while working usherette @ historic warner brothers theatre (now hollywood pacific theatre) during 1951 run of alfred hitchcock s film strangers on train, took upon herself advise couple arriving during final few minutes of showing wait next showing, avoid seeing (and spoiling) ending. theater manager fired on spot insubordination , humiliated stripping epaulets uniform in theater lobby. twenty-six years later, @ request, burnett s star placed @ corner of hollywood , wilcox—in front of theater.

errors , mysteries

in 2010 julia louis-dreyfus s star constructed name julia luis dreyfus . actress reportedly amused, , error corrected. similar mistake made on dick van dyke s star in 1993 ( vandyke ), , rectified.

motion picture category, tv emblem

film , television actor don haggerty s star displayed first name dan . mistake fixed, years later television actor dan haggerty (of grizzly adams fame, no relation don) received star. confusion sprouted urban legend dan haggerty honoree have star removed walk of fame.

for 28 years, star intended honor mauritz stiller, helsinki-born pioneer of swedish film brought greta garbo united states, read maurice diller , possibly due mis-transcription of verbal dictation. star remade correct name in 1988.

three stars remain misspelled: opera diva lotte lehmann s first name spelled lottie ; cinerama co-inventor , king kong creator, director, , producer merian c. cooper s first name spelled meriam ; , cinematography pioneer auguste lumière s first name listed august .

monty woolley, veteran film , stage actor best known man came dinner (1942) , classic line time flies when re having fun , officially listed in motion picture category, star on walk of fame bears television emblem. woolley did appear on small screen late in career, tv contributions eclipsed extensive stage, film, , radio work. similarly, star of film actress carmen miranda bears tv emblem, although official category motion pictures. radio , television talk show host larry king officially television honoree, star displays film camera.

the los angeles times, documented , photographed walk part of hollywood star walk project, reported not find 2 stars, honoring richard crooks , film career of geraldine farrar. (farrar s music star located on 1700 block of vine street.)

theft , vandalism

acts of vandalism occur on walk on regular basis, ranging profanity , political statements written on stars markers attempted removal of brass emblems chisels. closed circuit surveillance cameras have been installed on stretch of hollywood boulevard between la brea avenue , vine street in effort discourage mischievous activities.

actor matt damon s star under construction, august 2007

four of stars, weigh 300 pounds (140 kg) each, have been stolen walk of fame. in 2000, james stewart s , kirk douglas s stars disappeared locations near intersection of hollywood , vine, had been temporarily removed construction project. police recovered them in suburban community of south gate when arrested man involved in incident there , searched house. suspect construction worker employed on hollywood , vine project. stars had been badly damaged, , had remade. 1 of gene autry s 5 stars (it not clear one) stolen construction area. johnny grant later received anonymous phone tip missing star in iowa, never found. someday, end on ebay, grant once joked. brazen , ambitious theft occurred in 2005 when thieves used concrete saw remove gregory peck s star hollywood boulevard site @ intersection of north el centro avenue, near north gower. star replaced immediately, original never recovered , perpetrators never caught.

in late 2009, rumors circulated on media outlets , internet john lennon s star had been stolen, merely being relocated farther south on vine street area near circular capitol records building, adjacent stars of bandmates george harrison , ringo starr. paul mccartney s star installed in same location in 2012.

donald trump s star—received host of apprentice television series—was repeatedly defaced during 2016 presidential campaign. in late october, near end of race, man named jamie otis (who claimed heir otis elevator fortune) used sledge hammer , pickaxe destroy of star s brass inlays. readily admitted vandalism, described civil disobedience , freedom of expression , , told reporters planned remove entire star , auction raise money women accused trump of sexually assaulting them. otis arrested 3 weeks after incident, charged 1 count of felony vandalism, , sentenced 3 years probation plus $3400 in restitution payments. star repaired, , has since been site of pro-trump demonstrations.

four ladies of hollywood

the 4 ladies of hollywood gazebo @ western border of walk of fame

the 4 ladies of hollywood gazebo—known officially hollywood , la brea gateway—stands upon small triangular island formed confluence of hollywood boulevard, marshfield way, , north la brea avenue @ westernmost extension of walk of fame. commissioned in 1993 los angeles community redevelopment agency art program , created architect, production designer, , film director catherine hardwicke tribute multi-ethnic women of hollywood. gazebo stainless steel stylized art deco lattice structure. roof arched square supporting circular dome, topped central obelisk descending neon block letters spelling hollywood on each of 4 sides. atop obelisk small gilded weathervane-style sculpture of marilyn monroe in iconic billowing skirt pose 7 year itch. domed structure held aloft 4 caryatids sculpted harl west represent african-american actress dorothy dandridge, asian-american actress anna may wong, mexican actress dolores del río, , multi-ethnic, brooklyn-born actress mae west.

the gazebo dedicated on february 1, 1994, mixed reception. los angeles times art critic christopher knight called depressingly awful work of public art in recent years , representing opposite of hardwicke s intended tribute women. sex, woman s historic gateway hollywood , wrote, couldn t more explicitly described . independent writer , film producer gail choice called fitting tribute group of pioneering , courageous women carried tremendous burden on feminine shoulders. never in wildest dreams did believe d ever see women of color immortalized in such creative , wonderful fashion. hardwicke contended critics had missed humor , symbolism of structure, embraces , pokes fun @ glamour, polished metallic male form of oscar, , pastiche of styles , dreams pervades tinseltown.