Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, California, United States, which is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of celebrities honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.

History

Created in 1958 by a Southern Californian artist, Oliver Weismuller, who was hired by the city to give Hollywood a "face lift", the Walk of Fame has become a tribute to performers and others within show business. Honorees receive a star based on achievements in motion pictures, live theater, radio, television, and/or music. Many honorees received multiple stars during the initial phase of installation for contributions to separate categories; however, the practice in recent decades has been to honor individuals not yet represented, with only a handful of previous honorees being awarded additional stars. In 1978, the City of Los Angeles designated the Walk of Fame as a Cultural/Historic Landmark.

Related Topics:
1958 - Walk of Fame - Show business - Motion pictures - Theater - Radio - Television - Music - 1978 - City of Los Angeles

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The original Walk of Fame had 2,500 blank stars. A total of 1,558 stars were awarded during its first sixteen months. Since then, new stars have been awarded at the rate of approximately two per month. By 1994 over 2,000 of the original stars were filled, and additional stars were added to extend the Walk west past Sycamore to La Brea Avenue, where it is now terminated by the Silver Four Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo. Locations of specific stars are always permanent, except when occasionally relocated for various reasons such as local construction.

Related Topics:
1994 - Silver Four Ladies of Hollywood Gazebo

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New stars are chosen from nominees, which are due on May 31 of each year. The Walk of Fame committee meets each June to selecte the honorees for the following year. Star ceremonies are open to the public and are emceed by Johnny Grant, Hollywood's Honorary Mayor.

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