To be honored
with a star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame, the world's most famous sidewalk, is a
tribute as coveted and sought after as any of the entertainment industry's
equally prestigious awards -- including the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Mike or
Tony. And, because it recognizes a life-long contribution of both public and
peer appreciation, it is an honor uniquely in a class by itself. The Walk of
Fame is a permanent monument of the past, as well as the present.
Envisioned in 1958 as a lasting tribute to
the personalities who helped make Hollywood the most famous community in the
world, the Walk continues today as a superior asset to the city, perpetuating
the aura that has made the name Hollywood synonymous with glamour. The Walk
remains one of the city's most widely-seen tourist attractions.
Administered by the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce, the Walk of Fame was designated, in 1978, as a Cultural/Historic
Landmark by the City of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Historic Trust, a continuing,
self-financing program, maintains the quality of the Walk of Fame and the
historic lure that is Hollywood.
A chronological history of the
Hollywood-based entertainment industry, including the behind-the-scenes people
as well as the most famous and instantly recognizable personalities, the Walk of
Fame encompasses five acres of bronze stars embedded in pink terrazzo and
surrounded by charcoal terrazzo squares. Inside each star is the bronze-engraved
name of each artist and a distinctive emblem identifying in which of the five
categories -- Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording, or Live Theatre --
the recipient has been honored.
The Walk of Fame lines both sides of
Hollywood Boulevard from Gower to La Brea, and both sides of Vine Street, from
Yucca to Sunset. Official groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted February 9,
1960. In sixteen months, when construction was completed, 1,558 luminaries were
forever immortalized in the sidewalk. Since then, approximately one to two stars
per month have been added. Stars dedicated in 1994 pushed the total over the
2000 mark. However, even at this rate, it will be many years before the stars in
the famed Walk will be completely occupied, assuring the continued presence of
Hollywood in the world's media, and remaining a highly visible and lasting
tribute to a unique city.
Walk of Fame Frequently Asked Questions
Walk of Fame Photos
Los Angeles California, USA