Even if you've never been to Hollywood, you've probably heard of something called the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located in the Red Carpet District of Hollywood and the walk covers some twenty plus miles, spanning over Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. The walk originated in the year 1960 with about 2,500 stars, 948 of which were blank and 1,558 of which were dedicated to Hollywood's past 'stars.' The walk was supposed to stop at Sycamore, but was expanded in 1994 to La Brea Avenue. And I don't think it will stop there because Hollywood isn't going to die out anytime soon.
But what does it take to earn a star on the Walk? I thought originally that those represented had to do something earth-shattering or win a certain amount of recognition or awards, but neither of those things are true. The simple truth is: Not much. The process isn't as selective as it is random. In short, the stars are awarded to those that seem to best represent Hollywood. They go to talk show hosts, radio personalities, singers, songwriters, producers, actors, actresses, theatre groups; basically anyone who encompasses the persona or desired image of Hollywood. That is, those who are glamorous, wealthy, talented, and hard-working. But then, the stars haven't just been awarded to people; there are two dogs and a handful of animated characters on the walk, including Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Tinker Bell, Snow White, and Winnie the Pooh. One location has even been awarded a star: Disneyland.
I was recently in Hollywood, California, and for the first time ever I was able to see and walk the stars. I did so for almost four hours and my fascination with them was long-lived. I was, in short, enthralled. In fact, I took about thirty pictures of stars alone, because that's the other side of these stars. They are first and foremost meant to be a commemoration to the few-and-far-between people of greatness and fame, but they are also meant to attract the tourists. Tons and tons of tourists. There are over 10,000 visitors each year who come to walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Why? Because it's free, easy, and to some, a classic must-do activity for anyone who visits the west coast.
While half of me would like to concede that the concept is utterly ridiculous (because I do in some way think it is), I have to admit to its rather simple brilliance. The stars are simple and fairly easy to maintain while what they represent is priceless in their own small way. They represent an idea. They represent history and the names of those who altered it into what it is today. And to me that's amazing. I think anyone and everyone who makes a mark in the world in both small and large ways should be recognized, and that's what the Hollywood Walk of Fame is doing now and has been doing for so many years. In their own way the stars are a tombstone to the artists and actors who have passed away. And people actually use them as such, placing flowers on their stars on the day of their birthdays as a way of celebrating their contribution to the crazy world of fame.
Each year a number of famous people are awarded a star, but that doesn't mean the stars will immediately appear on the walk. It can take months, and most of the time, years for the star to be installed in the walk. One example is John Denver. It took his star 15 years to be placed because they were waiting for him to be available for an appearance. It wasn't until his death that they finally allowed for it to be placed. This year, 2011, a long list of celebrities will be receiving a star, including Penelope Cruz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Bruce Dern, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Ed Harris, The Muppets, Ridley Scott, and Kenny Ortega. And that list is just for movie stars. Oprah Winfrey will receive a star, as well as Danny DeVito, Tina Fey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ed O'Neill, Simon Fuller, John Langley, and John Wells for television. For theatre, Joe Mantegna, and for recording there is Melissa Etheridge, Rascal Flatts, The Go-Go's, Slash, will.i.am., BeBe & CeCe Winans, Los Tigres Del Norte, Buddy Holly, and Louis Prima. And that's only one year. The walk will never stop growing or adding new names because Hollywood will never stop. So while not everyone can win an Oscar or a Grammy, for those who want to leave a mark on the streets of Hollywood, they simply have to add a bit of themselves to the image of it.