|
|
All My Children Discussion Group
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA, that serves as an entertainment museum. It is embedded with more than 2,000 five-pointed stars featuring the names of not only human celebrities but also fictional characters honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.
The Walk of Fame is maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The first eight stars were dedicated in September 1958 and placed in the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. They were installed several months prior to the official 1960 Walk of Fame ground-breaking so as to be ready when the new, twelve-story First Federal Savings and Loan of Hollywood building was completed, in January 1959.
On February 9, 1960, Joanne Woodward became the first performer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Some interesting facts:
Gene Autry is the only person to have been honored with all five possible stars, for his contribution in each of the five categories.
Diana Ross is one of only a handful of celebrities to have two stars in the same category, one as a member of The Supremes and one as a solo artist. Michael Jackson was the first to achieve this, through his solo career and as a member of The Jackson Five. Smokey Robinson was honored first with a star as a solo artist and then as a member of his original group, The Miracles, who were honored on March 20, 2009.
One-time actor Ronald Reagan is the only President of the United States to have a star, and one of the two Governors of California to have a star (the other governor being Arnold Schwarzenegger).
Anna May Wong is the only Asian-American female to have a star (as of 2008); all other Asian-Americans that have been awarded stars are male.
Strongheart was the first of three dogs to receive a star. Lassie and Rin Tin Tin were the other two.
In 1960, singer Jimmy Boyd became the youngest to receive a star on the Walk Of Fame at only 20 years old. On April 29, 2004, 18-year-old twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen became the youngest people in any category ever to receive a star. Their star is outside the Kodak Theatre, near Hollywood and Highland Mall.
On November 18, 1978, in honor of his 50th anniversary, Mickey Mouse became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located on 6925 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2002, the Walk of Fame broke tradition with Muhammad Ali's star. His star is displayed on a wall of the Kodak Theatre, due to Ali's request that he not be walked on.
In 2005, companies became eligible for Walk-of-Fame-type stars; the first recipient was Disneyland, in honor of its 50th anniversary. Company awards are on private property near the Walk, and not part of the Walk itself. Companies must have a strong Hollywood presence and be at least fifty years old to qualify for this award.[citation needed]
In February 2006, Judith Sheindlin (better known as Judge Judy) became the first (and so far only) television judge to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On January 24, 2007, Los Angeles television station and CW network affiliate KTLA-TV (Channel 5) became the first television service (station or network) to be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame. The picture on KTLA's star shows a satellite dish, recognizing the station's pioneer status as the first West Coast TV station carried by satellite to viewers from Greenland to Panama.
On March 14, 2008, Vince McMahon got his own star. He is the first professional wrestling personality to receive a star. (The Harlem Globetrotters were the first sports entertainment honorees on the Walk.)
Replies: (list all replies)
