113-536: Golden West Broadcasters was an umbrella investment company founded and co-owned by late actor/singer Gene Autry (1907–1998) and late two-time All-American and former Detroit Lions tackle Bob Reynolds (1914–1997). Headquartered in Hollywood, California, in addition to broadcast television and radio, Autry and Reynolds also invested in real estate as well as ownership stakes in the Hollywood Stars baseball team of
226-673: A Mutual radio series, The Adventures of Champion and a CBS-TV series of the same name . In response to his many young radio listeners aspiring to emulate him, Autry created the Cowboy Code, or Ten Cowboy Commandments. These tenets promoting an ethical, moral, and patriotic lifestyle that appealed to youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts , which developed similar doctrines. The Cowboy Code consisted of rules that were "a natural progression of Gene's philosophies going back to his first Melody Ranch programs—and early pictures." According to
339-410: A caricature of an example honoree ( John Wayne , by some accounts ) inside a blue star on a brown background. However, caricatures proved too expensive and difficult to execute in brass with the technology available at the time; and the brown and blue motif was vetoed by Charles E. Toberman , the legendary real estate developer known as "Mr. Hollywood", because the colors clashed with a new building he
452-497: A telegrapher for the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway . His talent at singing and playing guitar led to performing at local dances. While working as a telegraph operator in Chelsea, Oklahoma , Autry would sing and accompany himself on the guitar to pass the lonely hours, especially when he had the midnight shift. This later got him fired. One night, he was encouraged to sing professionally by
565-476: A 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason , as recorded on his headstone. On November 16, 1941, the town of Berwyn, Oklahoma, north of Ardmore , was renamed Gene Autry in his honor. Though Autry was born in Tioga, Texas , his family moved to Oklahoma while he was an infant. He was raised in the southern Oklahoma towns of Achille and Ravia . Autry had also worked as a telegraph operator near Berwyn. In 1939, he bought
678-427: A charcoal-colored terrazzo background. The name of the honoree is inlaid in brass block letters in the upper portion of each star. Below the inscription, in the lower half of the star field, a round inlaid brass emblem indicates the category within the entertainment industry of the honoree's contributions. There are six fixed categories and honorees must fit into one of them. The six categories and their emblems are: Of
791-561: A customer, humorist Will Rogers , who had heard him singing. As soon as he could save money to travel, he went to New York. In the autumn of 1928, he auditioned for the Victor Talking Machine Company , shortly before purchase by David Sarnoff 's Radio Corporation of America (RCA). According to Nathaniel Shilkret , director of Light Music for Victor at the time, Autry asked to speak to Shilkret after finding that he had been turned down. Shilkret explained to Autry that he
904-486: A dozen have two stars: Cher forfeited her opportunity to join this list by declining to schedule the mandatory personal appearance when she was selected in 1983. She did, however, attend the unveiling of the Sonny & Cher star in 1998, as a tribute to her recently deceased ex-husband, Sonny Bono . Sixteen stars are identified with a one-word stage name (e.g., Liberace , Pink , Roseanne , and Slash ). Clayton Moore
1017-450: A history of "charitable contributions". Posthumous nominees must have been deceased at least five years. At a meeting each June, the committee selects approximately 20 to 24 celebrities to receive stars on the Walk of Fame. One posthumous award is given each year as well. The nominations of those not selected are rolled over to the following year for reconsideration; those not selected two years in
1130-622: A labor song, "The Death of Mother Jones ", in 1931. Autry also recorded many " hillbilly "-style records in 1930 and 1931 in New York City, which were certainly different in style and content from his later recordings. These were much closer in style to the Prairie Ramblers or Dick Justice , and included the "Do Right, Daddy Blues" and "Black Bottom Blues", both similar to " Deep Elem Blues ". These late Prohibition -era songs deal with bootlegging , corrupt police , and women whose occupation
1243-552: A landmark which consists of 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo -and- brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles . The stars, the first of which were permanently installed in 1960, are monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of a mix of actors, musicians, producers, directors, theatrical/musical groups, fictional characters, and others. The Walk of Fame
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#17330856862771356-539: A master plan for a $ 4 million renovation to improve and "update the streetscape concept" for the Walk of Fame. Los Angeles city councilmember Mitch O'Farrell released the draft master plan designed by Gensler and Studio-MLA in January 2020. It proposed widening the sidewalks, adding bike lanes, new landscaping, sidewalk dining, removing lanes of car traffic and street parking between the Pantages Theater (Gower Street) at
1469-467: A part of its line of iron toys. The toy was commissioned by Kenton vice-president Willard Bixler, who had conceptualized an iron cap revolver modeled after the pearl-handled gun used by Gene Autry. Selling at 50 cents per gun, the cap pistols were extremely popular and by 1939, two million units of the toy had been sold in the United States and abroad. Autry received a portion of all sales revenues. In
1582-563: A published story by Autry, the fire caused him to turn his attention to Griffith Park , where he would build his Museum of Western Heritage (now known as the Autry Museum of the American West ). In 1990, after his favorite horse Champion Three, which lived in retirement there, died, Autry put the remaining 12-acre ranch up for sale. It was purchased by the Veluzat family in 1991 and rebuilt. It
1695-724: A quarter share of the team to the Walt Disney Company and a controlling interest the following year, with the remaining share to be transferred after his death. Earlier, in 1982, he sold Los Angeles television station KTLA for $ 245 million. He also sold several radio stations he owned, including KSFO in San Francisco, KMPC in Los Angeles, KOGO in San Diego, and other stations in the Golden West radio network . The number 26
1808-455: A row are dropped, and must be renominated to receive further consideration. Living recipients must agree to personally attend a presentation ceremony within two years of selection. If the ceremony is not scheduled within two years, a new application must be submitted. A relative of deceased recipients must attend posthumous presentations. Presentation ceremonies are open to the public. A fee of $ 75,000 (as of 2023 ), payable at time of selection,
1921-407: A second row of stars was created on each sidewalk to alternate with the existing stars. In 1994, the Walk of Fame was extended one block to the west on Hollywood Boulevard, from Sycamore Avenue to North LaBrea Avenue (plus the short segment of Marshfield Way that connects Hollywood and La Brea), where it now ends at the silver "Four Ladies of Hollywood" gazebo and the special "Walk of Fame" star. At
2034-521: A short segment on Marshfield Way that runs diagonally between Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea; and 0.4 miles (0.64 km) north to south on Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard . According to a 2003 report by the market research firm NPO Plog Research, the Walk attracts about 10 million visitors annually—more than the Sunset Strip , the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman's),
2147-621: A singing cowboy quartet; he was then given the starring role by Levine in 1935 in the 12-part serial The Phantom Empire . Shortly thereafter, Mascot was absorbed by the newly formed Republic Pictures Corp. and Autry went along to make a further 44 films up to 1940. Most were low-budget Westerns in which he played under his own name, rode his horse Champion , had Smiley Burnette as his regular sidekick , and had many opportunities to sing in each film. His films were tremendously successful, so much so that almost every other studio tried to compete by showcasing their own singing cowboys. By 1940 Autry
2260-532: A site in front of the Pantages Theatre where his musicals, In The Heights and Hamilton , played. Carol Burnett explained her choice in her 1986 memoir: While working as an usherette at the historic Warner Brothers Theatre (now the Hollywood Pacific Theatre ) during the 1951 run of Alfred Hitchcock 's film Strangers on a Train , she took it upon herself to advise a couple arriving during
2373-451: A spot near the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. because he was twice picked up at that location by police for vagrancy (though never actually charged) shortly after his arrival in Hollywood. George Carlin chose to have his star placed in front of the KDAY radio station near the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Vine St., where he first gained national recognition. Lin-Manuel Miranda chose
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#17330856862772486-582: Is a collaboration among the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and various Los Angeles city and county governmental offices, along with the MTA, which operates the Metro B Line that runs beneath the Walk, since earth movement due to the presence of the subway line is thought to be partly responsible for the damage. To encourage supplemental funding for the project by corporate sponsors, the "Friends of Walk of Fame" program
2599-563: Is a street in Palm Springs, California named Gene Autry Trail . Autry was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2004, Starz joined forces with the Autry estate to restore all of his films, which have been shown on Starz's Encore Westerns channel on premium television on a regular basis to date since. Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is
2712-483: Is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce , who hold a trademark right to the combined star & movie camera symbol only, and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The Hollywood Chamber collects fees from celebrities (or their sponsors) that wish to have a star (currently $ 75K) which pays for the creation and installation of the star, as well as maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce does not own trademark rights to
2825-428: Is being raised for the $ 50 million project. 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 their management approves the nomination. Nominees must have a minimum of five years' experience in the category for which they are nominated and
2938-431: Is collected to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as general maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The fee is usually paid by the nominating organization, which may be a film studio, record company, broadcaster, or other sponsor involved with the prospective honoree. The Starz cable network, for example, paid for Dennis Hopper 's star as part of the promotion for its series Crash . Traditionally,
3051-638: Is now known as the Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio and Melody Ranch Studios on 22 acres. The ranch has the Melody Ranch Museum open year-round; and one weekend a year, the entire ranch is open to the public during the Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival , another legacy of Autry's multiple talents. From 1940 to 1956, Autry had a huge hit with a weekly show on CBS Radio , Gene Autry's Melody Ranch . His horse, Champion, also had
3164-411: Is so inextricably linked with his Lone Ranger character, even though he played other roles during his career, that he is one of only two actors to have his character's name alongside his own on his star. The other is Tommy Riggs , whose star references his Betty Lou character. The largest group of individuals represented by a single star is the estimated 122 adults and 12 children collectively known as
3277-503: Is that "each of the five categories is represented by someone with expertise in that field". In 2010, Lestz was replaced as chairman by John Pavlik, former Director of Communications for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . While no public announcement was made to that effect, he was identified as chairman in the Chamber's press release announcing the 2011 star recipients. In 2016,
3390-678: Is the only honoree that was described to have a star in every category during 1983–2023, when the number of categories was five. Bob Hope , Mickey Rooney , Roy Rogers , and Tony Martin each have stars in four categories; Rooney has three of his own and a fourth with his eighth wife, Jan Chamberlin, while Rogers also has three of his own, and a fourth with his band, Sons of the Pioneers . Thirty-three honorees, including Bing Crosby , Frank Sinatra , Jo Stafford , Dean Martin , Dinah Shore , Gale Storm , Danny Kaye , Douglas Fairbanks Jr. , and Jack Benny have stars in three categories. Over
3503-590: The Queen Mary , and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art combined—and has played an important role in making tourism the largest industry in Los Angeles County . As of 2023 , the Walk of Fame consists of 2,752 stars, which are spaced at 6-foot (1.8 m) intervals. The monuments are coral-pink terrazzo five-point stars rimmed with brass (not bronze , an oft-repeated inaccuracy) inlaid into
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3616-448: The Dolby (formerly Kodak) Theatre —displayed stars on its dining room ceiling above the tables favored by its most famous celebrity patrons, and that may have served as an early inspiration. By another account, the stars were "inspired ... by Sugarman's Tropics Restaurant drinks menu, which featured celebrity photos framed in gold stars". In February 1956, a prototype was unveiled featuring
3729-510: The James Bond 007 film series; Ed O'Neill 's star is located outside a shoe store in reference to his character's occupation on the TV show Married ... with Children ; and The Dead End Kids ' star is located at the corner of LaBrea and Hollywood Boulevard. Honorees may request a specific location for their star, although final decisions remain with the Chamber. Jay Leno , for example, requested
3842-527: The Munchkins , from the landmark 1939 film The Wizard of Oz . Two pairs of stars share identical names representing different people. There are two Harrison Ford stars, honoring the silent film actor (at 6665 Hollywood Boulevard), and the present-day actor (in front of the Dolby Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard). Two Michael Jackson stars represent the pop singer (at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard), and
3955-635: The Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1991. When the Anaheim Angels won their first World Series in 2002, much of the championship was dedicated to him. The interchange of Interstate 5 and State Route 134 , near the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, is signed as the "Gene Autry Memorial Interchange". There is also a street named after Autry in Anaheim, California , called Gene Autry Way , and there
4068-642: The Pacific Coast League and the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball . The company owned and operated several television and radio stations from 1951 to 1982, and also provided services to and for other third-party, non-owned stations through the Golden West Radio Network . In 1951, Autry and Reynolds formed Golden West Broadcasters with their acquisition of KMPC (now KSPN ) 710 AM in Los Angeles, while Reynolds served and worked as
4181-643: The attack on Pearl Harbor . Autry joined the military in 1942 and sold the ranch after the war. In 1972, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . Autry was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks , Burbank Lodge No. 1497. His 1976 autobiography, co-written by Mickey Herskowitz ,
4294-432: The radio personality (at 1597 Vine Street). The Westmores received the first star honoring contributions in theatrical make-up . Other make-up artists on the walk are Max Factor , John Chambers and Rick Baker . Three stars recognize experts in special effects : Ray Harryhausen , Dennis Muren , and Stan Winston . Only two costume designers have received a star: eight-time Academy Award Winner Edith Head , and
4407-533: The seal of the city of Los Angeles ; the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) star emblem is a replica of a Hollywood Division badge; and stars representing corporations, such as Victoria's Secret and the Los Angeles Dodgers , display the honoree's corporate logo. The "Friends of the Walk of Fame" monuments are charcoal terrazzo squares rimmed by miniature pink terrazzo stars displaying
4520-555: The "Heart of Hollywood Master Plan", which promotes the idea of closing Hollywood Boulevard to traffic and creating a pedestrian zone from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue, citing an increase in pedestrian traffic including tourism, weekly movie premieres and award shows closures, including ten days for the Academy Award ceremony at the Dolby Theatre. In June 2019, the city of Los Angeles commissioned Gensler Architects to provide
4633-509: The 1,200-acre (4.9 km ) Flying A Ranch on the west edge of Berwyn, and the town decided to honor him by changing its name. Approximately 35,000 people attended the ceremonies broadcast live from the site on Autry's Melody Ranch radio show. Expectations that Autry would make his permanent home on the ranch were heightened when Autry's house in California burned down just 8 days before the name change ceremony, but dashed three weeks later with
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4746-608: The 110-acre Monogram Ranch in 1953, in Placerita Canyon near Newhall, California , in the northern San Gabriel Mountains foothills. He renamed it the Melody Ranch after his movie Melody Ranch . Autry then sold 98 acres of the property, most of the original ranch. The Western town, adobes , and ranch cabin sets and open land for location shooting were retained as a movie ranch on 12 acres. Numerous "B" Westerns and TV shows were shot there during Autry's ownership, including
4859-419: The 1950s, Autry had been a minority owner of the minor-league Hollywood Stars . In 1960, when Major League Baseball announced plans to add an expansion team in Los Angeles, Autry—who had once declined an opportunity to play in the minor leagues —expressed an interest in acquiring the radio broadcast rights to the team's games. Baseball executives were so impressed by his approach that he was persuaded to become
4972-607: The Cowboys" in Gene's absence, which it did. Republic reissued old Autry westerns during the war years, to keep his name before the public. Autry's contract had been suspended for the duration of his military service, and he had tried to have it declared void after his discharge. The courts found in Republic's favor, and Autry returned to Republic after the war. He finished out his contract with four more features, with Autry now publicized as "King of
5085-518: The Moon are uniquely shaped: Four identical circular moons, each bearing the names of the three astronauts ( Neil A. Armstrong , Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. , and Michael Collins ), the date of the first Moon landing ("7/20/69"), and the words "Apollo XI", are set on the four corners of the intersection of Hollywood and Vine . The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce credits E.M. Stuart, its volunteer president in 1953, with
5198-704: The Red-Nosed Reindeer ", " Frosty the Snowman ", and " Here Comes Santa Claus ". Autry is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame . He is the only person to be awarded stars in all five categories on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , for film, television, music, radio, and live performance. The town of Gene Autry, Oklahoma was named in his honor, as
5311-544: The Saddle Again ". Autry made 640 recordings, including more than 300 songs written or co-written by himself. His records sold more than 100 million copies and he has more than a dozen gold and platinum records, including the first record ever certified gold. Today's listeners associate Gene Autry with Christmas songs, which are played perennially during each holiday season. These include " Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town ", his own composition " Here Comes Santa Claus ", " Frosty
5424-604: The Singing Cowboy , was an American actor, musician, singer, composer, rodeo performer, and baseball team owner, who largely gained fame by singing in a crooning style on radio , in films , and on television for more than three decades, beginning in the early 1930s. During that time, he personified the straight-shooting hero — honest, brave, and true. Autry was the owner of a television station and several radio stations in Southern California. From 1961 to 1997, he
5537-563: The Singing Cowboys". In 1947 Autry left Republic for Columbia Pictures , which offered him his own production unit. He chose a new sidekick, Pat Buttram , recently returned from his World War II service. Buttram would co-star with Gene Autry in more than 40 films and in more than 100 episodes of Autry's television show . In 1951, Autry formed his own company (Flying A Productions) to make westerns under his own control, and Columbia continued to distribute them through 1953. Autry purchased
5650-550: The Snowman ", and his biggest hit, " Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ". He wrote "Here Comes Santa Claus" after being the Grand Marshal of the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade (now the Hollywood Christmas Parade ). He heard all of the spectators watching the parade saying, "Here comes Santa Claus!" virtually handing him the title for his song. He recorded his version of the song in 1947 and it became an instant classic. In
5763-661: The TCL (formerly Grauman's) Chinese Theatre. Oscar-winners' stars are usually placed near the Dolby Theatre , site of the annual Academy Awards presentations. Locations are occasionally chosen for ironic or humorous reasons: Mike Myers 's star lies in front of an adult store called the International Love Boutique, an association with his Austin Powers roles; Roger Moore 's star and Daniel Craig 's star are located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard in recognition of their titular role in
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#17330856862775876-420: The U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Part of his military service included his broadcast of a radio show for one year; it involved music and true stories. Several decades ago on an early afternoon show featuring Republic westerns, one of Gene's sidekicks said that when Gene told Republic Pictures of his intentions to join the military during World War II, Republic threatened to promote Roy Rogers as "King of
5989-480: The United States , Ronald Reagan (40th President) and Donald Trump (45th President), have stars on the Walk. Reagan is also one of two Governors of California with a star; the other is Arnold Schwarzenegger . One U.S. senator ( George Murphy ) and two members of the U.S. House of Representatives ( Helen Gahagan and Sonny Bono ) have stars. Ignacy Paderewski , who served as Prime Minister of Poland between
6102-547: The Walk: George Eastman , inventor of roll film; Thomas Edison , inventor of the first true film projector and holder of numerous patents related to motion-picture technology; Lee de Forest , inventor of the triode vacuum tube , which played an important role in the development of radio and television broadcasts, and Phonofilm , which made sound films possible; Herbert Kalmus , inventor of Technicolor ; Auguste and Louis Lumière , inventors of important components of
6215-583: The World Wars, is the only European head of government represented. Film and stage actor Albert Dekker served one term in the California State Assembly during the 1940s. On its 50th anniversary in 2005, Disneyland received a star near Disney's Soda Fountain on Hollywood Boulevard. Stars for commercial organizations are only considered for those with a Hollywood show business connection of at least 50 years' duration. While not technically part of
6328-538: The actress who played Annie Oakley in the television series of the same name that Autry produced. After Spivey died in 1980, he married Jacqueline Ellam , who had been his banker, in 1981. While Autry was quiet about his political views during his life, his voting records listed him as a registered Republican, and he supported the Civil Rights Movement. Autry was raised into Freemasonry in 1927 at Catoosa Lodge No. 185, Catoosa Oklahoma. He later became
6441-563: The addition of a new star. In 1962, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance naming the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce "the agent to advise the City" about adding names to the Walk, and the Chamber, over the following six years, devised rules, procedures, and financing methods to do so. In December 1968, Richard D. Zanuck was awarded the first star in eight years in a presentation ceremony hosted by Danny Thomas . In July 1978,
6554-458: The chair, according to the Chamber's 2016 selection announcement, was film producer Maureen Schultz. In 2023, the selection committee chair was radio personality Ellen K . Walk of Fame rules prohibit consideration of nominees whose contributions fall outside the six major entertainment categories, but the selection committee has been known to adjust interpretations of its rules to justify a selection. The Walk's four round Moon landing monuments at
6667-586: The city of Los Angeles designated the Hollywood Walk of Fame a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument . Radio personality, television producer, and Chamber member Johnny Grant is generally credited with implementing the changes that resuscitated the Walk and established it as a significant tourist attraction. Beginning in 1968, Grant stimulated publicity and encouraged international press coverage by requiring that each recipient personally attend his or her star's unveiling ceremony. Grant later recalled that "it
6780-530: The code: Beginning in 1950, he produced and starred in his own television show on [CBS through his Flying A Productions studio. In the late 1950s, Autry also made several appearances on ABC-TV 's Jubilee USA . During World War II, Autry enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, and became a tech sergeant in the United States Army Air Corps. Holding a private pilot certificate , he
6893-657: The company with other co-investors in later years. Golden West also operated several cable television systems across the country during the 1970s and into the 1980s. Autry began their gradual exit from the broadcasting industry beginning in 1982 with the sale of KTLA to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts , culminating with the sale of KSCA 101.9 FM in Glendale, California – within the Los Angeles area, to Heftel Broadcasting Corporation in 1997. Stations are arranged in order by city of license . Gene Autry Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed
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#17330856862777006-611: The corners of Hollywood and Vine, for example, officially recognize the Apollo 11 astronauts for "contributions to the television industry." Johnny Grant acknowledged, in 2005, that classifying the first Moon landing as a television entertainment event was "a bit of a stretch". Magic Johnson was added to the motion picture category based on his ownership of the Magic Johnson Theatre chain, citing as precedent Sid Grauman , builder of Grauman's Chinese Theatre . Muhammad Ali 's star
7119-548: The east and The Emerson Theatre (La Brea Avenue) at the west end of the boulevard. The approved phase one includes removing the parking lanes between Orange Drive and Gower Street, adding street furnishings with benches, tables and chairs with sidewalk widening. Phase two is in the schematic stage. Phase two is planned for 2024 and will include closing down the boulevard to two lanes, adding landscaping with shade trees and five public plazas made up of art deco designed street pavers and kiosks. Planned to be completed by 2026, funding
7232-484: The estate of Leo J. Cremer Sr., and put Canadian saddle bronc riding champion Harry Knight in charge of the operation. A merger with the World Championship Rodeo Company in 1956 made Autry the sole owner. He moved the entire company to a 24,000-acre (97 km ) ranch near Fowler, Colorado , with Knight as the working partner in the operation. For the next 12 years, they provided livestock for most of
7345-465: The exclusion of his father, whose nomination had been withdrawn due to pressure from multiple quarters. Chaplin's suit was dismissed in 1960, paving the way for completion of the project. While Joanne Woodward is often singled out as the first person to receive a star on the Walk of Fame—possibly because she was the first to be photographed with it —the original stars were installed as a continuous project, with no individual ceremonies. Woodward's name
7458-543: The fee was $ 75,000, about eight times the original amount adjusted for inflation. Grant was himself awarded a star in 1980 for his television work. In 2002, he received a second star in the "special" category to acknowledge his pivotal role in improving and popularizing the Walk. He was also named chairman of the Selection Committee and Honorary Mayor of Hollywood (a ceremonial position previously held by Art Linkletter and Monty Hall , among others). He remained in both offices from 1980 until his death in 2008 and hosted
7571-625: The final few minutes of a showing to wait for the next showing, to avoid seeing (and spoiling) the ending. The theater manager fired her on the spot for "insubordination" and humiliated her by stripping the epaulets from her uniform in the theater lobby. Twenty-six years later, at her request, Burnett's star was placed at the corner of Hollywood and Wilcox—in front of the theater. Special category stars recognize various contributions by corporate entities, service organizations, and special honorees, and display emblems unique to those honorees. For example, former Los Angeles mayor Tom Bradley 's star displays
7684-465: The first Grammy Awards in 1959. Construction of the Walk began in 1958, but two lawsuits delayed completion. The first lawsuit was filed by local property owners challenging the legality of the $ 1.25 million tax assessment (equivalent to $ 13 million in 2023) levied upon them to pay for the Walk, along with new street lighting and trees. In October 1959, the assessment was ruled legal. The second lawsuit, filed by Charles Chaplin Jr. , sought damages for
7797-450: The first African-American to win an Oscar for costume design, Ruth E. Carter . Sidney Sheldon is one of two novelists with a star, which he earned for writing screenplays for such films as The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) before becoming a novelist. The other is Ray Bradbury , whose books and stories have formed the basis of dozens of movies and television programs over a nearly 60-year period. Nine inventors have stars on
7910-487: The first permanent star, director Stanley Kramer 's, was completed on the easternmost end of the new Walk near the intersection of Hollywood and Gower. Although the Walk was originally conceived in part to encourage redevelopment of Hollywood Boulevard, the 1960s and 1970s were periods of protracted urban decay in the Hollywood area as residents moved to nearby suburbs. After the initial installation of approximately 1,500 stars in 1960 and 1961, eight years passed without
8023-403: The great majority of unveiling ceremonies during that period. His unique special-category star, with its emblem depicting a stylized "Great Seal of the City of Hollywood", is located at the entrance to the Dolby Theatre adjacent to Johnny Grant Way. In 1984, a fifth category, Live Theatre, was added to acknowledge contributions from the live performance branch of the entertainment industry, and
8136-433: The heyday of Western-themed comics , the 1940s and 1950s. The Register and Tribune Syndicate comic strip Gene Autry Rides by Till Goodan was the first entry, lasting from 1940 to 1941. From 1941 to 1943, Autry was the subject of a comic book initially published by Fawcett Comics and then picked up by Dell Comics that ran 12 issues. Dell then published 101 issues of Gene Autry Comics from 1946 to 1955. That title
8249-459: The honor due to this condition. The only recipient to date who failed to appear after agreeing to do so was Barbra Streisand , in 1976. Her star was unveiled anyway, near the intersection of Hollywood and Highland. Streisand did attend when her husband, James Brolin , unveiled his star in 1998 two blocks to the east. The following notable entertainers have had their contributions in multiple categories recognized with multiple stars. Gene Autry
8362-429: The identities of selection committee members, other than its chairman, have not been made public in order to minimize conflicts of interest and to discourage lobbying by celebrities and their representatives (a significant problem during the original selections in the late 1950s). However, in 1999, in response to intensifying charges of secrecy in the selection process, the Chamber disclosed the members' names: Johnny Grant,
8475-463: The initial years of Gunsmoke with James Arness . A decade after he purchased Melody Ranch, a brushfire swept through in August 1962, destroying most of the original standing sets and dashing Autry's plans to turn it into a museum. However, the devastated landscape did prove useful for productions such as Combat! . A complete adobe ranch survived at the northeast section of the ranch. According to
8588-606: The late 1950s he began recording other artists, as the original owner of Challenge Records . The label's biggest hit was " Tequila " by The Champs in 1958, which started the rock and roll instrumental craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He sold the label soon after, but the maroon (later green) label has the "GA" in a shield above the label name. Autry and Burnette were discovered by film producer Nat Levine in 1934. Together, Autry and Burnette made their film debut for Mascot Pictures Corp. in In Old Santa Fe as part of
8701-497: The late 1960s Republic was barely operational, managing only its film library. Gene Autry, correctly assessing the company's cash-poor situation, made a cash offer for the rights and negatives to his Republic films. The company accepted Autry's terms, and Autry now controlled the film materials for home-movie reprints and home-video tapes and discs. Autry died of lymphoma on October 2, 1998, at his home in Studio City, California . He
8814-594: The longtime chair and representative of the television category; Earl Lestz , president of Paramount Studio Group (motion pictures); Stan Spero, retired manager with broadcast stations KMPC and KABC (radio); Kate Nelson, owner of the Palace Theatre (live performance); and Mary Lou Dudas, vice president of A&M Records (recording industry). Since that 1999 announcement, the chamber has revealed only that Lestz (who received his own star in 2004) became chairman after Grant died in 2008. Their current official position
8927-536: The major rodeos in Texas, Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska. When the company was sold in 1968, both men continued to be active in rodeo. For his work as a livestock contractor, Autry was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association 's ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. Autry received several honors for his contributions to rodeo. Gene Autry was often portrayed in the comics, primarily during
9040-513: The most severe damage, were Joan Collins , Peter Frampton , Dick Van Patten , Paul Douglas , Andrew L. Stone , Willard Waterman , Richard Boleslavsky , Ellen Drew , Frank Crumit , and Bobby Sherwood . Fifty celebrities' stars received "D" grades. The damage ranged from minor cosmetic flaws caused by normal weathering to holes and fissures severe enough to constitute a walking hazard. Plans were made to repair or replace at least 778 stars at an estimated cost of over $ 4 million. The restoration
9153-472: The motion picture camera; Mark Serrurier , inventor of the technology used for film editing; Hedy Lamarr , co-inventor of a frequency-hopping radio guidance system that was a precursor to Wi-Fi networks and cellular telephone systems; and Ray Dolby , co-developer of the first video tape recorder and inventor of the Dolby noise-reduction system . A few star recipients moved on after their entertainment careers to political notability. Two Presidents of
9266-648: The on-field celebration, and the public address system played his hit song, " Back in the Saddle Again ". He invested in property, owning by 1964 the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco; the Hotel Continental in Hollywood; the Sahara Inn, a $ 12-million motel near Chicago; plus property in Palm Springs . Autry retired from show business in 1964, having made almost 100 films up to 1955 and over 600 records. He
9379-475: The original audio recording committee (and later rescinded) specified minimum sales of one million records or 250,000 albums for all music category nominees. The committee soon realized that many important recording artists would be excluded from the Walk by that requirement. As a result, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences was formed to create a separate award for the music industry, leading to
9492-494: The original idea for creating a Walk of Fame. Stuart reportedly 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". Harry Sugarman, another Chamber member and president of the Hollywood Improvement Association, received credit in an independent account. A committee was formed to flesh out the idea, and an architectural firm
9605-648: The owner of the franchise rather than simply its broadcast partner. The team, initially called the Los Angeles Angels upon its 1961 debut, moved to suburban Anaheim in 1966, and was renamed the California Angels, then the Anaheim Angels from 1997 until 2005, when it became the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Autry served as vice president of the American League from 1983 until his death. In 1995, he sold
9718-507: The poll ceased. He appeared in the similar Boxoffice poll from 1936 to 1955, holding first place from 1936 to 1942 and second place (after Rogers) from 1943 to 1952. While these two polls are really an indication only of the popularity of series stars, Autry also appeared in the Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll of all films from 1940 to 1942, His Gene Autry Flying "A" Ranch Rodeo show debuted in 1940. Autry served in
9831-585: The same time, Sophia Loren was honored with the 2,000th star on the Walk. During construction of tunnels for the Los Angeles subway system in 1996, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) removed and stored more than 300 stars. Controversy arose when the MTA proposed a money-saving measure of jackhammering the 3-by-3-foot terrazzo pads, preserving only the brass lettering, surrounds, and medallions, then pouring new terrazzo after
9944-414: The second major influential artist of the genre's development after Jimmie Rodgers . His films were the first media vehicle to carry Western music to a nationwide audience. In addition to his signature song " Back in the Saddle Again ", as well as his recording hit " At Mail Call Today ", Autry is still remembered for his association with Christmas music , having debuted the seasonal standards " Rudolph,
10057-421: The star with other symbols (i.e. television, microphone, record disc), so those symbols are free to use for commercial purposes. It is a popular tourist attraction, receiving an estimated 10 million annual visitors in 2010. The Walk of Fame runs 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from east to west on Hollywood Boulevard , from Gower Street to the Hollywood and La Brea Gateway at La Brea Avenue in addition to
10170-484: The stars on the Walk to date , 47% have been awarded in the motion pictures category, 24% in television, 17% in audio recording or music, 10% in radio, fewer than 2% in theater/live performance, and fewer than 1% in sports entertainment. According to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce , approximately 30 new stars are added to the Walk each year. Locations of individual stars are not necessarily arbitrary. Stars of many particularly well-known celebrities are found in front of
10283-502: The station's manager. They followed that up by taking its first ever television station, KOPO-TV (now CBS affiliate KOLD-TV ) in Tucson, Arizona , to the air in two years later, and then with additional acquisitions including most importantly, KTLA in Los Angeles, which continues to operate from the very same site at which the company and the station co-existed on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood to this very day. Over time, Autry took control of
10396-482: The then five standard category emblems, along with the sponsor's corporate logo, with the sponsor's name and contribution in inlaid brass block lettering. Special stars and Friends monuments are granted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce or the Hollywood Historic Trust, but are not part of the Walk of Fame proper and are located nearby on private property. The monuments for the Apollo 11 mission to
10509-538: The tunnels were completed; but the Cultural Heritage Commission ruled that the star pads were to be removed intact. In 2023, a sixth category, Sports Entertainment, was added to acknowledge contributions of athletes to the entertainment industry. In 2008, a long-term restoration project began with an evaluation of all 2,365 stars on the Walk at the time, each receiving a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F. Honorees whose stars received F grades, indicating
10622-578: The vocal duet of Jimmie Long and Gene Autry with two Hawaiian guitars , directed by L. L. Watson, recorded "My Dreaming of You" (Matrix 56761) and "My Alabama Home" (Matrix 56762). Autry signed a recording deal with Columbia Records in 1929. He worked in Chicago on the WLS-AM radio show National Barn Dance for four years, and with his own show, where he met singer-songwriter Smiley Burnette . In his early recording career, Autry covered various genres, including
10735-619: Was Republic's biggest star, and his films became more costly and more elaborate. They played first-run in large cities, unlike the usual "B" westerns that played in neighborhood theaters. In the Motion Picture Herald Top Ten Money-Making Western Stars poll, Autry was listed every year from the first poll in 1936 to 1942 and 1946 to 1954 (he was serving in the AAF 1943–45), holding first place 1937 to 1942, and second place (after Roy Rogers ) 1947 to 1954, when
10848-636: Was awarded the American Patriots Medal by Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania . Johnny Cash recorded a song in 1978 about Autry called "Who is Gene Autry?" Cash also got Autry to sign his famous black Martin D-35 guitar, which he plays in the video of " Hurt ". In 1983, Autry received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement . Autry was inducted into
10961-481: Was buried at the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. His epitaph read, "America's Favorite Cowboy ... American Hero, Philanthropist, Patriot and Veteran, Movie Star, Singer, Composer, Baseball Fan and Owner, 33rd Degree Mason, Media Entrepreneur, Loving Husband, Gentleman". In 1932, Autry married Ina Mae Spivey, the niece of Jimmy Long. During this marriage he had a sustained affair with Gail Davis ,
11074-466: Was certainly vice. These recordings are generally not heard today, but are available on European import labels, such as JSP Records . His first hit was in 1932 with " That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine ", a duet with fellow railroad man Jimmy Long that Autry and Long co-wrote. As Autry's movie career flourished, so did his record sales. His unofficial theme song became the Ray Whitley composition " Back in
11187-578: Was changed to Gene Autry and Champion , and ran an additional 20 issues from 1955 to 1959, making it the longest-running (by number of issues) cowboy actor comic book. Meanwhile, Autry was the subject of an "Air-Western-Adventure Strip" comic strip syndicated by General Features from 1952 to 1955. The strip was produced in association with Whitman Publishing . The Mexican publisher Editorial Novaro released 423 issues of Gene Autry comics from 1954 to 1984. In 1937, Kenton Hardware Company of Kenton, Ohio , began producing Gene Autry cast-iron cap guns as
11300-671: Was determined to become a military pilot and earned his Service Pilot rating in June 1944, serving as a C-109 transport pilot with the rank of flight officer . Assigned to a unit of the Air Transport Command , he flew as part of the dangerous airlift operation over the Himalayas between India and China, nicknamed the Hump . In 1941, at the height of his screen popularity, Autry had a string of rodeo stock based north of Ardmore, Oklahoma . It
11413-584: Was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969 and to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. After retiring, he invested widely in real estate, radio, and television. He also invested in ownership of the KOOL-TV CBS-affiliate (now Fox affiliate KSAZ-TV ) in Phoenix, Arizona , which created local shows such as the weekly bilingual children's show Niños Contentos . Republic Pictures, its finances failing, had shut down production in 1957. By
11526-656: Was erecting on Hollywood Boulevard. By March 1956, the final design and coral-and-charcoal color scheme had been approved. Between the spring of 1956 and the fall of 1957, 1,558 honorees were selected by committees representing the four major branches of the entertainment industry at that time: motion pictures, television, audio recording, and radio. The committees met at the Brown Derby restaurant, and they included such prominent names as Cecil B. DeMille , Samuel Goldwyn , Jesse L. Lasky , Walt Disney , Hal Roach , Mack Sennett , and Walter Lantz . A requirement stipulated by
11639-509: Was granted after the committee decided that boxing could be considered a form of "live performance". Its placement on a wall of the Dolby Theatre makes it the only star mounted on a vertical surface, acceding to Ali's request that his name not be walked upon, as he shared his name with the Islamic prophet Muhammad . All living honorees have been required since 1968 to personally attend their star's unveiling, and approximately 40 have declined
11752-464: Was inaugurated, with donors recognized through honorary plaques adjacent to the Walk of Fame in front of the Dolby Theatre. The program has received some criticism; Alana Semuels of the Los Angeles Times described it as "just the latest corporate attempt to buy some good buzz", and quoted a brand strategist who said, "I think Johnny Grant would roll over in his grave". Los Angeles introduced
11865-507: Was known as the Flying A Ranch and encompassed 1200 acres. It served as headquarters for his traveling rodeo. The nearby town of Berwyn, then honored Autry by naming the town after him. Thirty Five thousand people attended the ceremony on November 16, 1941. A year later, he became a partner in the World Championship Rodeo Company, which furnished livestock for many of the country's major rodeos. In 1954, he acquired Montana's top bucking string from
11978-614: Was one of eight drawn at random from the original 1,558 and inscribed on eight prototype stars that were built while litigation was holding up permanent construction. The eight prototypes were installed temporarily on the northwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in August 1958 to generate publicity and to demonstrate how the Walk would eventually look. The other seven names were Olive Borden , Ronald Colman , Louise Fazenda , Preston Foster , Burt Lancaster , Edward Sedgwick , and Ernest Torrence . Official groundbreaking took place on February 8, 1960. On March 28, 1960,
12091-467: Was retained to develop specific proposals. By 1955, the basic concept and general design had been agreed upon, and plans were submitted to the Los Angeles City Council . Multiple accounts exist for the origin of the star concept. According to one, the historic Hollywood Hotel , which stood for more than 50 years on Hollywood Boulevard at the site now occupied by the Ovation Hollywood complex and
12204-460: Was retired by the Angels in Autry's honor. The chosen number reflected that baseball's rosters (at the time) had 25 men, so Autry's unflagging support for his team made him the "26th man" (see also the 12th man , a similar concept in football). When the Angels finally won their first (and to date, only) World Series championship in 2002 , star outfielder Tim Salmon held Autry's cowboy hat aloft during
12317-664: Was the Gene Autry precinct in Mesa, Arizona . Autry was born September 29, 1907, near Tioga in Grayson County, Texas , the grandson of a Methodist preacher. His parents, Delbert Autry and Elnora Ozment, moved in the 1920s to Ravia in Johnston County in southern Oklahoma. Gene Autry worked on his father's ranch while growing up and going to school. In 1925, Autry left the family ranch. With only his high school education, Autry became
12430-462: Was the founding owner of the California Angels franchise of Major League Baseball (MLB). From 1934 to 1953, Autry appeared in 93 motion pictures. Between 1950 and 1956, he hosted The Gene Autry Show television series. In many of them, he appeared with Champion , his Morgan horse . Autry was also one of the most important pioneering figures in the history of country music , considered
12543-445: Was titled Back in the Saddle Again after his 1939 hit and signature tune . He is also featured year after year, on radio and " shopping mall music" at the holiday season, by his recording of " Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer ". "Rudolph" became the first No. 1 hit of the 1950s. In 2003, he was ranked No. 38 in CMT 's list of the 40 Greatest Men of Country Music . In 1977, Autry
12656-519: Was tough to get people to come accept a star" until the neighborhood finally began its recovery in the 1980s. In 1980, Grant instituted a fee of $ 2,500 (equivalent to $ 9,245 in 2023), payable by the person or entity nominating the recipient, to fund the Walk of Fame's upkeep and minimize further taxpayer burden. The fee has increased incrementally over time. By 2002, it had reached $ 15,000 (equivalent to $ 25,410 in 2023), and stood at $ 30,000 in 2012 (equivalent to $ 39,814 in 2023). As of 2023 ,
12769-419: Was turned down not because of his voice, but because Victor had just made contracts with two similar singers. Autry left with a letter of introduction from Shilkret and the advice to sing on radio to gain experience and to come back in a year or two. In 1928, Autry was singing on Tulsa radio station KVOO (now KOTV ) as "Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy". The Victor archives show an October 9, 1929, entry stating that
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