Walk of Fame, Hollywood, USA
Created | Updated Jan 30, 2002
The Pharoahs left the Pyramids, the Sui & Ming dynasties built the Great Wall of China...
- and what is left for posterity1 by the biggest success story of the 20th century, the all-pervading entertainment/marketing industry? To this researcher, the Dire Straits' song "Walk of Life" is much more fun than the Walk of Fame. As a camcorder-wielding tourist doing the Walk of Fame, you run the risk of being pickpocketed, propositioned or pinched by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's private enforcers on suspicion of movie-making without the paid-for permits. As much as you may enjoy any of these three eventualities, doing the "Walk of Life" in the privacy of your home should ensure a more peaceful evening.
Should you feel compelled to do the Walk of Fame2, please note that there are five acres of names engraved in star-shaped bronze plaques. As a very recent Hollywood resident, this researcher has not yet located a handy reference to which stars are where. It grieves this researcher to see camera-laden non-residents peering at the 2,000 odd stars, looking for their particular favourite.3
When You Wish to be a Star...
When visiting Hollywood's most famous free attraction, with whatever sensory recording medium you choose, then this researcher advises you to bring some chalk. Please note defacement of the Walk of Fame by permanent inscription is NOT advised. With your chalk, scribble the name of your choice on any blank star and record the image for your folks back home.
If the "celebrity names being trampled underfoot" scenario excites you, the legitimate nomination process should blow your mind. Every year, the 10 to 15 most qualified artists nominated in a 60 day period are eligible for a star to be installed in the Walk during the next year. The criteria for qualification are (according to The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce ) professional achievement, longevity of 5 years or more, contributions to the community and the guarantee that you will attend the dedication ceremony if selected.
However, the President Johnny Grant and his Chamber of Commerce have decided to honour a mixed bunch indeed (at least in the eyes of this researcher). Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Siegfried & Roy, Ted Danson, KISS? Rob Reiner, Kevin Spacey, Pierce Brosnan, Debbie Reynolds? And this researcher doesn't quite know how some people attended the ceremony, such as Patsy Cline, and all of the Beatles {we all shine on, John}, but there you go...
Since the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, its Walk of Fame Committee and the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Department approved stars for the aforementioned, then ANYBODY can be immortalised (?) in the Walk of Fame. You have been warned...you may be next!
PS (This researcher highly approves of one of the first stars of the Year 2000 - that dedicated to The Simpsons! Happy 10th Anniversary!)
PPS (This researcher was also deeply moved by the flowers placed around the star dedicated to the late and sorely lamented, Charles Schultz. You're a good man, Charlie Brown)
1Assuming posterity is scuba-diving among the drowned wreckage of old LA after the Big One hits...2Having seen the mini-Walk of Fame at Universal Studios, had your photograph taken with Mickey at DisneyLand and tried to drive up to the Hollywood sign, thereby exhausting the most widely-known attractions 3When this researcher next becomes too bored to breathe, she will attempt, for the benefit of this Guide, to document the location of each name
