Hollywood Walk of Fame
Introduction
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a renowned landmark in the United States, located in Hollywood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. It comprises more than 2,600 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. Each star is a tribute to a musician, actor, director, producer, musical or theatrical group, fictional character, or an ensemble cast in the entertainment industry.
History
The Hollywood Walk of Fame was conceived by E.M. Stuart, who served as the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in 1953. Stuart proposed the Walk as a means to "maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world." The original Walk was completed in 1961 with the installation of 1,558 stars. The first star to be laid in the new Walk on February 9, 1960, belonged to the actress Joanne Woodward.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Hollywood Walk of Fame is rigorous and involves a multi-step procedure. Each year, an average of 200 nominations are submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Selection Committee. Anyone, including fans, can nominate anyone active in the field of entertainment as long as the nominee or his or her management approves the nomination. Posthumous nominations require a five-year waiting period.
Categories
The Hollywood Walk of Fame includes five categories, each represented by a symbolic icon: Motion Pictures (represented by a film camera), Broadcast Television (represented by a television set), Audio Recording or Music (represented by a phonograph record), Broadcast Radio (represented by a microphone), and Theater/Live Performance (represented by the comedy/tragedy masks).
Notable Stars
There are numerous notable stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, some of which have made significant contributions to their respective fields. For instance, Gene Autry is the only person to be awarded stars in the five categories. Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney, Roy Rogers, and Tony Martin each received four stars for their contributions to the motion picture, television, recording, and radio industries.
Controversies
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has not been without its controversies. Some stars have been vandalized or stolen, and there have been legal battles over the removal of certain stars. The Walk's maintenance and repairs are funded by a trust fund left by the Hollywood Historic Trust.