The pink-and-charcoal stars set into the pavement of Hollywood Boulevard are among the most recognisable symbols of fame anywhere in the world. Millions of visitors walk over them every year, yet the way a star is chosen, paid for and unveiled is less widely known. In this celebrity lifestyle guide from Almawadahit.com, we explain how the Walk of Fame works, based on the information published by its organisers and long-standing public reporting.
Key Takeaways
- The Walk of Fame is run by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the Hollywood Historic Trust.
- The first permanent star, for Stanley Kramer, was installed on March 28, 1960.
- Stars require a nomination, committee selection and a sponsor who pays the fee.
What Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a series of terrazzo stars embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles. Each star honours a person, group or, occasionally, a fictional character for their contribution to the entertainment industry. It is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the Hollywood Historic Trust, and its official information is published at walkoffame.com.
More than 2,700 stars have been installed since the project began, and new ones are added each year.
A Brief History
The Walk of Fame was proposed in the 1950s as a way to celebrate Hollywood’s history and attract visitors to the area. Construction began in 1960, and the first permanent star, for director Stanley Kramer, was installed on March 28, 1960. Hundreds of names from the early decades of film, radio, television and music were added in the first phase of the project.
What the Stars Look Like
Each star is a coral-pink terrazzo five-pointed star edged in brass, set into a charcoal terrazzo square. The honoree’s name is written in brass letters, and a round brass emblem below the name shows the category being honoured.
The Categories
Stars are awarded in several categories, each with its own emblem:
| Category | Emblem |
| Motion pictures | shown by a film camera |
| Television | shown by a TV set |
| Music and audio recording | shown by a phonograph record |
| Radio | shown by a radio microphone |
| Live performance and theatre | shown by comedy and tragedy masks; this category was added in 1984 |
The Chamber of Commerce has added other categories over the years, so check the official site for the current list.
How Someone Is Chosen
The process is more formal than many people assume. In outline, it works like this:
- Nomination. Anyone can submit a nomination, including fan clubs, studios or record labels, but the nominee or their management must agree to it.
- Review by the selection committee. A committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce reviews nominations once a year and selects a class of new honorees.
- Criteria. According to the organisers, the committee looks at professional achievement, a career of at least several years, contributions to the community, and a commitment to attend the dedication ceremony.
- Sponsorship. Once a nominee is selected, a sponsor pays a fee that covers the creation and installation of the star and the upkeep of the Walk of Fame. The amount has risen over the years and is set by the Chamber; it is generally reported in the tens of thousands of dollars.
- The ceremony. Honorees are expected to attend a public dedication ceremony, where the star is unveiled and speeches are made.
Because of the sponsorship step, a star is not something a celebrity simply “wins”. It combines recognition by the committee with a commitment from a studio, label, fan group or other sponsor.
Common Misunderstandings
“Every Big Star Has One”
Not every famous performer has a star. Some have never been nominated, some declined, and some never scheduled a ceremony after being selected.
“Stars Are Permanent and Never Move”
Stars are designed to be long-lasting, but they have occasionally been moved or replaced because of construction work or damage, and the Trust carries out repairs.
“Only Actors Are Honoured”
The categories cover music, radio, television and live performance as well as film, so you will find singers, broadcasters and stage performers alongside movie stars.
Visiting the Walk of Fame
The stars line roughly fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. The official website includes a directory to help you find a particular name. Dedication ceremonies are usually free to watch from the public sidewalk, and dates are announced in advance.
Interesting Facts About the Walk of Fame
- Fictional characters have stars too. Mickey Mouse received a star in 1978, and Bugs Bunny received one in 1985. Characters are honoured when a studio sponsors them, in the same way as human honorees.
- Some people have several stars. Because stars are awarded by category, a person who worked in several fields can receive more than one. Singer and actor Gene Autry is often cited as the only person with a star in all five original categories.
- Groups can be honoured. Bands and ensembles have received stars as a group, not only individuals.
- Not all ceremonies happen right away. Some honorees are selected years before their ceremony takes place, because the timing depends on their schedule and on their sponsor.
Nearby Landmarks
A walk along the stars usually includes the forecourt of the TCL Chinese Theatre, where actors have left handprints and footprints in cement since the theatre’s early years, and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremony. The area is busy at almost any hour, so mornings are generally the easiest time to find a specific star and take a photo.
How to Find a Particular Star
The official directory lets you search by name and shows the star’s location along the boulevard. Stars are not grouped by category or by date, so searching first saves a long walk. If you are visiting for a ceremony, arrive early, as the area around the new star is usually fenced off and space on the public sidewalk fills up quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Cost?
A sponsor pays a fee set by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that covers creating and installing the star and maintaining the Walk of Fame. The amount has risen over the years and is generally reported in the tens of thousands of dollars. Check the official site for the current figure.
Who Can Nominate Someone for a Star?
Anyone can submit a nomination, including fan clubs, studios and record labels, but the nominee or their management must agree. A selection committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce reviews nominations once a year and chooses the new honorees, who then need a sponsor and a ceremony.
How Many Stars Are on the Walk of Fame?
More than 2,700 stars have been installed since construction began in 1960, and new ones are added each year. They line about fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Los Angeles, and the official directory lets you search for a specific name.
Related Reading
The Walk of Fame is one of several institutions that shape celebrity culture. Another is the annual benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; read our guide to the Met Gala explained to see how that event works. For more celebrity lifestyle, homes, net worth and car stories, return to Almawadahit.com.
Readers following the Walk of Fame from across the United States can find more American celebrity stories in the Almawadahit .com USA section of the homepage.
Keep reading: see more stories in Celebrity Lifestyle or browse Celebrity Cars. Related: The Met Gala Explained and Steve McQueen’s Bullitt Mustang.
