LOS ANGELES — The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most popular attractions in Los Angeles, drawing more than 10 million visitors a year. Fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street bear the names of celebrities in motion pictures, radio, television, recording and live theater/performance. Each one of the stars is custom made to stand out as you walk over them.
“They are made out of an terrazzo, an Italian product,” said Ana Martinez.
She is with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and it’s her job to help announce the star recipients after votes are cast.
“I am either the most loved woman in town, or most hated,” said Martinez. “People are very upset when their person doesn’t have a star, but what most people don’t know is that you have to nominate them.”
The Walk of Fame first opened in 1960. Former Hollywood chamber president E.M. Stewards came up with the idea to honor celebrities and promote tourism.
“The first star was director Stanley Kramer and the first promo picture was an ingénue named Joanne Woodward,” said Martinez.
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The first 1,500 or so stars cost just over $1.2 million dollars and the adjacent property owners footed the bill. Nowadays it’s much different.
“You have to be sponsored, so right now it costs $75,000 if you are selected,” said Martinez.
Just in case you are wondering, that money goes towards the installation of the star, the red-carpet ceremony, security and future maintenance.
Anyone with $75,000 can nominate a celebrity but that doesn’t mean the committee will accept it.
“The criteria is longevity in the field of entertainment, five years or more, awards and nominations, and they also have to do philanthropic work,” said Martinez.
Currently there are 2,700 stars on the Walk of Fame and every year 20 to 24 stars are added. Every celebrity is required to attend the ceremony whether they are humans or cartoon characters. The main point of the Walk of Fame is to give the general public the chance to see a celebrity, and it could happen any day of the week.
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