Hollywood Blog

The Walk of Fame in Hollywood

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Image: eatingtourists

Many stars and “non-stars” have managed to have their names placed on these 5-pointed terrazzo and brass embedded stars on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, California.  These stars are supposed to represent personal achievements of people, groups, and even fictional characters related to the entertainment industry.  The site referred to as Hollywood Walk of Fame is quite popular among tourists with estimated annual visitors of 10 million.

The Walk has about 2,484 occupied stars as of November 2012.  On closer inspection of the stars, an emblem would represent in which category the artists belongs to.  There are five categories namely Motion Pictures, Broadcast Television, Audio Recording, Broadcast Radio, and Theatre/Live Performance which was the latest category added in 1984.  Special stars are also found in the Walk consisting of entities, organizations, and special honorees that have made significant contributions.

Not all known celebrities have their stars on the Walk.  The process of having a star on the Walk starts with a nomination, so unless someone or an entity nominates a personality, there will be no stars forthcoming.  The nomination also has to be accepted by the nominee including the commitment to be present during the unveiling of the star.

There are however some concerns in relation to whether some stars are in fact deserving to be included, but then that is how show business is.  Every opportunity can be used to promote a star and the Hollywood Walk of Fame has apparently not been spared from it.

It is possible for a personality to have more than one star.  The Walk is supposed to be an Entertainment Hall of Fame.  So far it looks more like a tourist attraction

Sir Ben Kingsley Gets His Own Star

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He’s already a star – there is no doubt about it, but surely, Sir Ben Kingsley surely still aspired (even if it was secretly perhaps) to have his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This year is a good year for the British actor – his new movie Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has just been released in the United States. The ceremony for his Walk of Fame star coincided with the release.

It was held at the Hollywood Boulevard and of course, many other stars were present. Bruce Willis – a star in his own right –was among the people who witnessed the honor being given to Sir Ben Kingsley. So what did the 2,410th recipient of a Hollywood star have to say about the accolade?

“Standing here today amongst you is one of the many things I thought growing up in England that would never happen to me. It was a privilege to be an enduring part of the architecture of this extraordinary city.”

Indeed, having your own star is akin to being immortalized. Not that Sir Ben Kingsley had not been immortalized in other ways prior to his being awarded a star. He has starred in countless films that have touched the lives of so many people – and they are certain to make an impact in the lives of future film-loving generations. Think Schindler’s List, Gandhi, and Oliver Twist.

Here’s to Sir Ben Kingsley and his most recent accolade!

Holly Hunter’s Star Shines Brighter

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Holly Hunter Hollywood Walk of FameOscar winner Holly Hunter is now a star not just in name but also on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The multi-awarded actress who is best known for her work in the 1993 film “The Piano” was awarded the 2,363rd star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Holly Hunter shared the special moment with important people like Steven Spielberg, Ed Harris, Kate Capshaw, Billie Jean King and the two most important little people in her life – her cute twin sons.

Holly Hunter is definitely worthy of a star having won awards from everything from the New York Film Critics Circle to Berlin International Film Festival, and of course, the Academy Awards. Most of the awards she won is for two of the best films she’s done – Broadcast News (1987) and The Piano (1993).

Holly Hunter was definitely thrilled by the award calling saying that it is “an unbelievable honor.”