TheHollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark that consists of more than 2,800[1] five-pointedterrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks ofHollywood Boulevard and three blocks ofVine Street in theHollywood district ofLos Angeles, California. The stars are monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry and bear the names of a mix of actors, filmmakers, musicians, inventors, businessmen, fictional characters, and more.
The original idea for the Walk of Fame came in 1953, the first stars were unveiled in 1958, and the first permanent stars were placed in 1960. The Walk has been expanded on multiple fronts since then, including the number of stars displayed;categories, entities, and organizations honored; and blocks covered.[2] The Walk also deteriorated while it was expanded, and a long-term restoration plan began in 2008.[3]
The Walk of Fame is administered by theHollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The Chamber collects fees ($85,000 as of 2025) from each new honoree's sponsor, which fund the creation and installation of their star as well as maintenance for the Walk as a whole.[4] The Chamber also owns the Walk'strademark and licensing rights.[5]
The Walk of Fame is one of Los Angeles's most popular tourist attractions, receiving an estimated ten million annual visitors in 2010.[6]
As of August 2025[update], the Walk consists of 2,818 stars,[1] all but one of which are placed in the ground,[7] the vast majority in the sidewalk at 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals. The stars are five-point, coral-pinkterrazzo rimmed withbrass and inlaid into a 3-by-3-foot (0.91 by 0.91 m)[8] charcoal-colored terrazzo background. The honoree's name is inlaid in brass block letters in the upper portion of each star, and below the name, a round inlaid brass emblem indicates the category of the honoree's contributions. Stars face east or west on Hollywood Boulevard and north or south on Vine Street so that pedestrians walking either direction will have stars facing them.[4]
The Walk also contains hundreds of blank stars, each serving as a placeholder for a future honoree.[9]
The Walk of Fame honors entertainment industry contributions in six categories and every nominee must fit into one of them.[4] The six categories and their emblems are:
A seventh "special category" also exists for theHollywood Chamber of Commerce to directly honor individuals, organizations, and corporations.[10][11]
The categories are not represented equally. As of October 2025, 44% ofall stars were in the motion pictures category, 25% in television, 19% in audio recording or music, 9% in radio, fewer than 3% in theater/live performance, and fewer than 1% in sports entertainment and the "special category" combined.[12][Note 1] Each star represents one category; therefore if an individual has been honored in more than one category, that person will have more than one star.[13]
"Friends of the Walk of Fame" monuments are also part of the Walk. These monuments consist of charcoal terrazzo squares rimmed by miniature pink terrazzo stars that display all category emblems except Sports Entertainment, as no "Friends of the Walk of Fame" monuments have been unveiled since Sports Entertainment was added. In addition to the emblems, these monuments also contain the sponsor's name, logo, and contribution in inlaid brass block lettering.[21][22]
Unlike the rest of the Walk, theApollo 11 entries are not stars; they are circular moons. These monuments also contain text beyond the honorees' names, specifically they contain the date of themoon landing and "Apollo XI". The Walk contains four of these monuments, one on each corner ofHollywood and Vine.[23]
Honorees may request a location for their star, although the final decision is made by theHollywood Chamber of Commerce.[36]Jay Leno, for example, requested his star be near Hollywood and Highland because he was twice picked up by police forvagrancy at that intersection.[37]George Carlin requested his star be placed in front of theKDAY radio station, where he first gained national recognition.[38]Lin-Manuel Miranda requested a site in front of thePantages Theatre, where his musicalsIn The Heights andHamilton had played.[39]Michael Jackson refused to attend his star's unveiling unless it was located outsideGrauman's Chinese; the Chamber acquiesced to his demand.[40]Carol Burnett explained her choice in her memoir: while working as an usherette atWarner Brothers Theatre, she advised a couple arriving during the final few minutes of a showing to wait for the next showing, to avoid seeing and spoiling the ending. The theater manager fired her on the spot for "insubordination" and humiliated her by stripping the epaulets from her uniform. Twenty-six years later, at her request, Burnett's star was placed in front of the theater.[41]
Hollywood and La Brea Gateway, also known as theFour Ladies of Hollywood
In addition to stars, the Walk consists of several other elements.Hollywood and La Brea Gateway, also known asFour Ladies of Hollywood, is agazebo sculpture meant to pay tribute to the multi-ethnic women of the entertainment industry.[42][43] This structure consists of a square stainless steelArt Deco-style open-roof gazebo, the corners of which feature life-sizecaryatids ofDorothy Dandridge,Anna May Wong,Dolores del Río, andMae West, each standing on a square base and wearing a glamourous gown. The gazebo's roof is rounded and supports a circular dome, the dome topped by a centralspire with descending neon block letters spelling "Hollywood" on each side. Atop the spire is a smallgildedweather vane-style sculpture ofMarilyn Monroe in her billowing skirt pose fromThe Seven Year Itch.[43][44]
The gazebo, designed byCatherine Hardwicke, was installed at the Walk's western end in 1993 and dedicated on February 1, 1994.[43][44] It has been described as "creative and wonderful"[45] and also "depressingly awful".[46] Hardwicke contends that critics missed the humor and symbolism of the piece.[47]
TheHollywood Walk of Fame Mural is a 100-foot (30 m)mixed-mediamural made to celebrate the Walk's 60th anniversary and theChamber's 100th. The mural is meant to tell "a comprehensive story of the history of Walk of Fame from its creation to its persistence..." and also "captur[e] the ages, the diversity and the beauty of the Walk of Fame and its recipients..." It was created by Ian Robertson-Salt, curated by Art Share LA, and unveiled on June 11, 2021.[48][49]
Another Walk of Fame element is itstime capsule. This capsule, which commemorates the Walk's 50th anniversary, was buried below a specially-designed star near Hollywood and Highland in 2017. The capsule contains more than fifty items, including a signed picture ofJoanne Woodward, a piece ofElvis Presley's star, a replica of theCapitol Records building,Emmy award memorabilia, an assortment ofDVDs, the script forCasablanca, playbills fromThe Pantages, news articles about the Walk of Fame, a note fromBob Barker, and more. It is scheduled to be opened in 2060.[50]
Bob Hope's live performance star with a plaque honoring him as Hollywood's Citizen of the Century
Some stars are accompanied by plaques about the star or its recipient. For example, a plaque belowBob Hope's live performance star honors him as Hollywood's Citizen of the Century, a designation he was given when the star was re-dedicated for his 100th birthday;[51] a plaque belowGene Autry's live performance star, his fifth star awarded,[52] notes that he is the only individual honored in all (at the time) five categories;[53] and a plaque belowJennifer Lopez's star recognizes it as the 2,500th star unveiled.[54] Additionally, all stars unveiled in 2010 have a 50th anniversary plaque below them.[55]
TheHollywood Chamber of Commerce credits E. M. Stuart, its volunteer president in 1953, with the idea for the Walk of Fame.[2] Another account gives fellow Chamber member Harry Sugarman credit.[56] Either way, once the idea was presented, the Chamber fleshed it out and retained an architectural firm to develop proposals. By 1955, after the basic concept and design had been agreed upon, plans were submitted toCity Council.[57][58][59]
Multiple accounts exist for the origin of the star concept. According to one, it may have come from theHollywood Hotel, which displayed stars on its dining room ceiling above tables favored by its most famous patrons.[57] Another account credits Sugarman's Tropics Restaurant, whose drink menu featured celebrity photos framed in gold stars.[56][60]
In February 1956, a prototype was unveiled featuring acaricature inside a blue star on a brown background.[2] Caricatures, however, proved too expensive and difficult to execute, and the brown and blue motif was vetoed byCharles E. Toberman.[2][61] The final design, including the coral-and-charcoal color scheme, was approved the following month, and over the next year, 1,558 honorees were selected by committees representing four branches of the entertainment industry: motion pictures, television, audio recording, and radio. Members of these committees includedCecil B. DeMille,Samuel Goldwyn,Jesse L. Lasky,Walt Disney,Hal Roach,Mack Sennett, andWalter Lantz.[2] The audio recording committee originally required minimum sales of one millionrecords or 250,000albums, but they soon realized many important artists would be excluded by this requirement. As a result, theNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences was formed to create a separate award for the music industry, leading to the firstGrammy Awards in 1959.[62]
Construction of the Walk began in 1958, but two lawsuits delayed completion. The first was filed by local property owners challenging the $1.25 million ($13.6 million in2024) tax assessment levied upon them. In October 1959, the assessment was ruled legal.[2] The second was filed byCharles Chaplin Jr., who sought damages for the exclusion ofhis father, whose nomination had been withdrawn due to pressure from multiple quarters. Chaplin's suit was dismissed in 1960, allowing for completion of the project.[2][9][63]
WhileJoanne Woodward is often singled out as the first person to receive a star—possibly because she was the first to be photographed with one[36]—the original stars were installed as a continuous project, with no individual ceremonies. Woodward's name, however, was one of eight drawn at random and inscribed on prototype stars that were built while litigation was delaying permanent construction.[64][65][66] The other seven wereOlive Borden,Ronald Colman,Louise Fazenda,Preston Foster,Burt Lancaster,Edward Sedgwick, andErnest Torrence.[2][67] The eight prototypes were installed temporarily on the northwest corner of Hollywood and Highland in August 1958 to generate publicity and demonstrate how the Walk would look.[2]
The Walk's official groundbreaking took place on February 8, 1960.[57] On March 28, 1960, the first permanent star,Stanley Kramer's, was set near Hollywood and Gower.[2][68]
Although the Walk was originally conceived in part to encourage redevelopment of Hollywood Boulevard, the 1960s and 1970s saw protractedurban decay in the area.[69][70] After the initial installation of 1,558 stars in 1960 and 1961, eight years passed without a new star. In 1962, theLos Angeles City Council passed an ordinance naming theHollywood Chamber of Commerce the agent to advise the City regarding new honorees. The Chamber then devised rules, procedures, and financing methods to do so. In December 1968,Richard D. Zanuck was awarded the Walk's first new star[2][71][72] and by May 1975, 99 stars had been added.[73]
Chamber memberJohnny Grant is generally credited with resuscitating the Walk and establishing it as a significant tourist attraction.[71][74] Beginning in 1968, Grant stimulated publicity by requiring each recipient personally attend their star unveiling.[71] Grant later recalled that "it was tough to get people to come accept a star" until the neighborhood finally began its recovery in the 1980s.[70] In 1980, Grant instituted a $2,500 ($9,541 in2024) fee for all new stars, payable by the entity nominating the recipient, to fund the Walk's upkeep.[71] The fee has increased over time and was $85,000 as of 2025.[75]
Grant was awarded a star for his television work in 1980.[2] In 2002, he received a second special-category star to acknowledge his role in improving and popularizing the Walk.[76] He was also named chairman of the Selection Committee and HonoraryMayor of Hollywood, a ceremonial position previously held byArt Linkletter andMonty Hall,[77][78] amongst others.[2][76] Grant remained in both offices until his death in 2008. He also hosted the majority of the Walk's star unveilings during this time.[2][79]
In 1984, a fifth category, Live Theatre, was added to acknowledge contributions from the live performance branch of the entertainment industry. Additionally, a second row of stars was created to alternate with stars from the first row.[2] In 1994, the Walk was extended one block west, where it now ends at theHollywood and La Brea Gateway gazebo. A special star for the Walk is located nearby.[82]
In 1996, during construction of theB Line, theMetropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) removed and stored more than 300 stars.[83] Controversy arose when the MTA proposed destroying each star's terrazzo pad while preserving only the brass lettering, surrounds, and medallions, then pouring new terrazzo after construction was complete,[8] but theCultural Heritage Commission ruled that the star pads needed to be removed intact.[84]
In 2023, a sixth category, Sports Entertainment, was added to acknowledge contributions of athletes to the entertainment industry.[85] In 2025, the Chamber reported that they add an average of thirty new stars every year.[4]
In 2008, a long-term restoration project began with an evaluation of all 2,365 stars, each of which received an A, B, C, D, or F. Ten stars received Fs and fifty received Ds, the damage ranging from minor cosmetic flaws to holes and fissures severe enough to be a tripping hazard. After the evaluation, theHollywood Chamber of Commerce together with the city and county of Los Angeles made plans to repair or replace at least 778 stars at an estimated cost of more than $4 million ($5.84 million in2024).[3][86]
To encourage funding for the project by corporate sponsors, the Chamber inaugurated the "Friends of Walk of Fame" program,[86] which recognizes donors with honorary plaques adjacent to the Walk in front ofDolby Theatre.[21] The program received criticism, being described by aLos Angeles Times reporter as "the latest corporate attempt to buy some good buzz." Another critic stated "I think Johnny Grant would roll over in his grave."[21]
In 2015, the city introduced the "Heart of Hollywood Master Plan", which promotes creating apedestrian zone on Hollywood between La Brea and Highland,[87][88] and in 2019, they commissionedGensler to plan a $4 million ($4.92 million in2024) renovation for the entire Walk.[89][90][91] In 2020, draft plans were released, proposing new landscaping and bike lanes, sidewalk dining and widening, and the removal of street lanes and parking between Gower Street and La Brea Avenue.[92] Phase one of this proposal, which includes widening sidewalks; consolidating bus stops; adding benches, tables, and chairs; and removing parking lanes between Orange Drive and Gower Street, was approved in 2021.[93]
Gregory Peck's replacement star after the original was stolen in 2005
Four stars and one statue have been stolen from the Walk. In 2000,James Stewart's andKirk Douglas's stars disappeared after they had been temporarily removed for a construction project. Police recovered the stars in the home of a construction worker employed on the project, however, the stars were badly damaged and had to be remade. One ofGene Autry's five stars was also stolen from a construction area.[94][95]
In 2005, thieves used aconcrete saw to removeGregory Peck's star from its site at Hollywood and North El Centro Avenue. The star was replaced almost immediately, but the original was not recovered and the perpetrators not caught.[94][95] Another theft occurred in 2019, when Austin Clay, the same individual who previously vandalized Donald Trump's star, stole the Marilyn Monroe statue atopHollywood and La Brea Gateway.[44]
Thieves have also attempted to chisel out individual stars' category emblems.[94]
The Walk of Fame Selection Committee receives between 200 and 300 nominations every year. Anyone, including fans, can nominate anyone in the field of entertainment as long as the nominee or their management approve and an application fee ($275 as of 2025[update]) is paid. Nominees must have a history of "charitable contributions" and a minimum of five years' experience in the category for which they are nominated. Posthumous nominees must have been deceased for at least two years.[4][96]
Each June, approximately thirty nominations are selected for the following year. Nominations not selected are rolled over to the following year; those not selected for two years are dropped and must be renominated to receive further consideration.[4] Once selected, honorees must agree in writing to attend a presentation ceremony within two years, otherwise their nomination is rejected. For deceased honorees, a relative must attend.[75] This rule, known as the "Springsteen policy", was named afterBruce Springsteen, who failed to attend his unveiling in 1989; his star was thus rejected and he is not part of the Walk.[97][98] Additionally, a $85,000 (as of 2025[update])[75] fee is required to pay for the creation and installation of the star as well as maintenance for the entire Walk. The fee is usually paid by the nominating organization, which often is a film studio, broadcaster, or record company.[71][99]
Traditionally, members of the Selection Committee other than chairman are not made public. However, in 1999, in response to intensifying charges of secrecy in the selection process, the Chamber disclosed its committee members. They were:Johnny Grant, committee chair;Earl Lestz, president ofParamount Studio Group; Stan Spero, retired manager atKMPC andKABC; Kate Nelson, owner ofPalace Theatre; and Mary Lou Dudas, vice president ofA&M Records.[100] Since 1999, the Chamber has only announced that Lestz became chairman after Grant's death, and the Chamber's current position is that "each of the six categories is represented by someone with expertise in that field."[4]
In 2010, former Director of Communications for theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences John Pavlik replaced Lestz as chairman.[101] While no announcement was made, Pavlik was identified as chairman in the press release announcing 2011's new honorees.[102] By 2016,Maureen Schultz had become chair[103] and in 2023,Ellen K was chair.[104]
Muhammad Ali's star in the live performance category, placed upright on a wall so it cannot be walked upon
Rules prohibit nominees whose contributions lie outside the categories the Walk of Fame honors, but the Selection Committee has adjusted interpretations of its rules to justify selections. For example, theApollo 11 monuments officially recognize the astronauts for "contributions to the television industry", something that Johnny Grant acknowledged was "a bit of a stretch".[36] Another example isMuhammad Ali, whose star was granted after the committee decidedboxing was a form of live performance. Another rule adjustment occurred when placing Ali's star, vertically on a wall instead of horizontally in the sidewalk, because Ali shares his name with the prophetMuhammad and therefore requested it not be walked on.[7][96][105][106]
Only one honoree has had their star unveiled after failing to attend the required unveiling:Barbra Streisand.[40] Streisand did attend when her husbandJames Brolin was honored two decades later.[107]
Once unveiled, a star cannot be removed. In answer to various requests, the Chamber announced in 2017 that because the Walk is a historical landmark,[Note 2] "once a star has been added ... it is considered a part of the historic fabric" and cannot be removed.[108] The Chamber further clarified this position in 2024, stating that it does not have the authority to remove stars.[109]
While more than 2,800 stars have been awarded,[1] because some individuals have been awarded multiple times, the number of individuals honored is less than the total star count. In the early 2010s, theLos Angeles Times estimated that approximately 2,200 individuals were honored by the 2,400+ stars issued at that time.[9]
An analysis in 2011 found that minority representation, while rising, was underrepresented on the Walk. Of all stars, 5.1% honored African-Americans, 3.4% honored Hispanics, and 0.4% honored Asians, all of which were significantly less than those minorities' percentage of the overall population.[110] Analysts and commentators weren't surprised by this, as the same lack of representation was present inHollywood as a whole.[110][111] TheHollywood Chamber of Commerce responded by stating that it has been working hard to improve diversity. They also noted that several of the Walk's original honorees were minorities, includingAnna May Wong,Dolores Del Rio,Cantinflas,Hattie McDaniel, and others.[110]
Cher was selected twice, once individually and once as part ofSonny & Cher; however she was only honored once as she declined to schedule the mandatory personal appearance for her individual selection.[122][123]
Rin-Tin-Tin's star, given for his work in motion pictures
Three dogs are included in the Walk: the fictional characterLassie and animal actorsRin Tin Tin andStrongheart.[169] An additional animated dog,Snoopy, is also included, as are several other animated animals.[170]
In addition to members of the entertainment industry, the Walk also honors fictional characters, with more than twenty honored as of 2025.[171]
The first fictional character added and the only one included in the original 1,558 stars wasLassie.[172] However, despite being played by numerous canine actors, the most notable beingPal, Lassie is often referred to as a canine actor herself.[173] Because of this, the second fictional character honored,Mickey Mouse, is often referred to as the first.[171][174] Mickey was added in 1978, in honor of his 50th anniversary.[175]Minnie Mouse would not be honored until forty years later, however when she was, her star was located directly outsideEl Capitan,[176]Disney's flagship theater.[177]
Clayton Moore is so inextricably linked with hisLone Ranger character that his star lists the honoree as playing the character.[182]Tommy Riggs is also listed alongside Betty Lou whom he voiced, although his star does not specify that he played her, rather it implies he acted as himself alongside her, which he also did.[183] A third actor tightly linked to a specific character,Paul Reubens asPee Wee Herman, is also honored, although in this case the star only lists the character, not the actor.[184]
Charlie Chaplin is the only honoree to be selected twice for the same star. He was unanimously voted into the initial group in 1956, but the Selection Committee ultimately excluded him, reportedly due to questions regarding his morals[186] but more likely due to his left-leaning political views.[187] Chaplin was re-selected and added to the Walk in 1972, the same year he received hisAcademy Lifetime Achievement Award.[9]
The committee's Chaplin difficulties reportedly contributed to its decision in 1978 against awarding a star toPaul Robeson.[188] The resulting outcry from the entertainment industry, civic circles, local and national politicians, and many other quarters was so intense that the decision was reversed and Robeson was awarded a star in 1979.[189][190][191]
Some stars honor groups, not individuals. Most are musically related, but some are not. For example, two sports teams are honored: theHarlem Globetrotters andLos Angeles Dodgers.[192][193] Additionally, the largest group represented by a single star is in the motion picture category; it is the estimated 122 adults and 12 children collectively known as theMunchkins fromThe Wizard of Oz.[194]
One star honors both a group and a professional pairing within the group: the star for the bandHeart also includes the names of its singing duoAnn &Nancy Wilson.[199]
Monty Woolley's star displaying the television emblem despite him being honored in the motion picture category
Three honoree's stars contain an emblem that does not match the category they were honored in.Carmen Miranda was honored in the motion picture category but her star bears the television emblem,[203][204]Larry King was honored in the television category but his star bears a motion picture emblem,[205][206] andMonty Woolley was honored in the motion picture category but his star bears a television emblem.[207][208]
Several stars have been unveiled with the wrong name. Most notably, film and television actorDon Haggerty's star originally displayed the first name "Dan". The mistake was fixed, but years later when the television actorDan Haggerty (no relation to Don) received a star, confusion due to the former misspelling sprouted anurban legend that Dan Haggerty was the only honoree to have a star removed.[209][210] Another star bearing the wrong name wasMauritz Stiller, which for 28 years read "Maurice Diller". This mistake was corrected in 1988.[211][212]
In addition to incorrect names, some honoree's names have been misspelled. In 2010,Julia Louis-Dreyfus's star was constructed reading "Julia Luis Dreyfus".[213] The actress was reportedly amused and the error was corrected.[214] Similarly,Dick Van Dyke's star misspelled his last name as "Vandyke" before it was rectified,[215] and four stars remain misspelled:Lotte Lehmann (misspelled as "Lottie"),[216]Merian C. Cooper ("Meriam"),[217]Auguste Lumière ("August"),[154] andMary Livingstone ("Livingston").[218]
Several honorees have resulted in controversy, some immediately when honored and others later.Charlie Chaplin's initial selection was so controversial due to his political views that it was revoked,[186] and today his inclusion would be questioned due to his multiple relationships with minors.[219]Gal Gadot's inclusion has also received backlash due to her outspoken support of the Israeli military; her star unveiling was met with protests and her star was vandalized soon after.[220][221]
Numerous individuals and organizations have called or petitioned for the removal ofDonald Trump's star, including local residents,[222] Latino advocacy groups,[223] andWest Hollywood City Council, the latter of whom stated that "the Hollywood Walk of Fame is an honor. When one belittles and attacks minorities, immigrants, Muslims, people with disabilities or women – the honor no longer exists."[224][225] Others have also come to the star's defense.[226]
Spade Cooley is believed to be the only convicted murderer honored by the Walk.[227][228] He is not the only murderer though, asGig Young is known to have murdered his wife. Young was never convicted, however, as he committed suicide shortly after.[223] Other controversial criminal-related stars include those of accusedrapists anddomestic abusers, some of whom were convicted while others were not.[223] TheMeToo movement saw concerted efforts to have several of these honorees removed, most notablyBill Cosby after hissexual assault conviction that was later overturned.[219] Similar removal campaigns were held againstSean Combs.[109]
Numerous individuals have been selected for the Walk but rejected the honor.Prince rejected his inclusion twice, as he believed he wasn't ready.Madonna rejected her inclusion as she finds the Walk "cheesy".Clint Eastwood has rejected the Walk several times, this despite the Chamber reserving a spot for him outsideGrauman's Chinese, as he is reportedly not interested. Numerous individuals have also de facto rejected their inclusion by refusing to schedule or show up for their star unveiling, includingLeonardo DiCaprio,Julia Roberts,Bruce Springsteen, andDenzel Washington.[97][229]
The Chamber also rejects numerous nominations every year. These are typically not made public; however, afterKim Kardashian publicly stated her desire for a star, the Chamber clarified that her nomination would be rejected as the Walk does not honorreality stars unless they have been nominated for or win anOscar,Emmy,Grammy, or other major award given for a performance.[230][231]
Despite the Walk's popularity and prestige, visitors are often underwhelmed[233] due to its perceived dirtiness, grittiness, and problems with homelessness and crime.[234] The Walk has repeatedly been called the "Walk of Shame"[235][236][237][238] and designated as "the world's worst tourist attraction",[235][239][240] and whileCity Council members have created beautification plans, as of 2024 they have not been put into action.[234]
The Walk of Fame is one of Los Angeles's most popular locations for street vendors. In 2018, street vending was banned, but the ban was rescinded in 2024.[241] Vendors commonly sell merchandise orbacon-wrapped hot dogs.[242]
Buskers, musicians distributing albums, and otherstreet andcostumed performers also frequent the Walk, particularly outsideGrauman's Chinese Theater andMadame Tussauds Hollywood. In 2016,City Council considered limiting the amount permitted in the area, as many visitors report negative experiences due to the performers' rude and aggressive behavior. The performers have also been known to get into altercations with each other.[243][244]
Star unveilings are free to attend[4] and typically attract crowds in the dozens, hundreds, or thousands.Michael Jackson's unveiling in 1984 set a record for the highest number of attendees, with 5,000,[40] whileSelena Quintanilla’s 2017 unveiling attracted 4,500 attendees, an amount the Chamber claimed was a record despite it being less than Jackson's.[245]Vicente Fernandez's unveiling also attracted a similarly high 4,000 attendees.[246]
TheHollywood Chamber of Commerce has adopted the tradition of placing flower wreaths at the stars of newly deceased honorees; as a result, these stars have become impromptu memorial and vigil sites. Fans often show respect by laying flowers or other symbolic tributes, and some continue to do so on anniversary remembrances. Others show support in other ways; for example,Julio Iglesias's star is cleaned and polished once a month by a group of elderly women.[247]
Walk of Fame stars are sometimes used as sites for rallies or protests. Often, the protests occur as vandalism, which has ranged from profanity and political statements to damage with heavy tools. In 2005,closed circuit surveillance cameras were installed on Hollywood between La Brea and Vine to discourage these activities.[248] Additionally, if an honoree has a large enough scandal, police will increase their presence around that person's star to deter vandalism.[219]
Donald Trump's star under repair after vandalization in 2018
Donald Trump's star, obtained for his work on theMiss Universe pageant andThe Apprentice,[219][249] has been the site of numerous protests and rallies; it has also been vandalized multiple times. During the2016 presidential election, aservice dog's owner had the dog defecate on Trump's star, which was then posted onTwitter.[250] Shortly after, James Otis, a claimed heir to theOtis Elevator Company fortune,[251][252] used a pickaxe and sledgehammer to destroy the star's brass inlays. He readily admitted to the vandalism[253] and was sentenced to three years' probation.[254] The star was repaired and then served as the site of rallies[255] and protests[256] throughout the election.
Further vandalism of Donald Trump's star occurred in 2018 when it was destroyed a second time, this time by Austin Clay.[257] Clay later surrendered to police, after which he was sentenced to one day in jail, three years of probation, and twenty days of community service. He was also ordered to attend psychological counseling and pay $9,404.46 in restitution.[258] Later in 2018, after Trump's star was repaired, it was placed behind bars[259] and defaced withswastikas and other graffiti.[260] Conversely, dozens of blank stars were vandalized in support of Trump's star that same year.[226] Trump's star was vandalized multiple times again in 2020, including with a pickaxe[261] and with dog feces andspray-paint.[262]
Other politicians' stars have not seen the same level of protests or vandalism, howeverRonald Reagan's star was the site of a 1981 gathering to request signatures petitioning him to keepleopards on theendangered species list.[263] The star was also peed on forDavid Bowie'sDay-In Day-Out music video, however, the moment was removed so thatMTV would accept the video into their rotation.[161]
Not all vandalism on the Walk is a form of protest. Shortly afterHugh Hefner's death, his star was defaced with a blue crown and the letters "RIP", andJohn Lennon's star was defaced with several non-negative messages in 2013.[269]
^As of October 16, 2025, the star breakdown is: 1,226 in motion pictures, 704 in television, 529 in audio recording or music, 254 in radio, 75 in theater/live performance, 3 in sports entertainment, and 19 "special category" stars
^Manago, Jim (March 22, 2015). "Introduction".Behind Sach - The Huntz Hall Story. BearManor Media.Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 10, 2024.
^"Walk of Fame 2011 Selection".Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. June 17, 2010. Archived fromthe original on September 14, 2010. RetrievedJune 21, 2010."It was not an easy job to winnow down the extra large number of nominations this year to reach these 30 names", said John Pavlik, chair of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Committee ...
^Weist, Jerry (2002).Bradbury, an Illustrated Life: A Journey to Far Metaphor. New York: Morrow.ISBN0-06-001182-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
^Braun, Hans-Joachim (Spring 1997)."Advanced Weaponry of the Stars".Invention & Technology. American Heritage. Archived fromthe original on March 14, 2011. RetrievedDecember 11, 2013.
^"Monty Woolley".Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. October 25, 2019.Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. RetrievedMay 20, 2011.Note: Official category isMotion Pictures but his star bears the television emblem.
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