Hollywood Walk of Fame: History and Key Facts

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark with more than 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, United States. The stars are monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry and bear the names of a mix of actors, filmmakers, musicians, inventors, businessmen, fictional characters, and more. Many individuals have been honored more than once.

The Walk of Fame was originally conceived in 1953. The first stars were unveiled in 1958, and the first permanent stars were placed in 1960. The Walk has been expanded on multiple fronts since then, including in the number of stars displayed; categories, entities, and organizations honored; and blocks covered. The Walk also deteriorated while it expanded, and a long-term restoration plan began in 2007.

The Walk of Fame is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The Chamber evaluates nominations through a selection committee and upon acceptance, it collects fees from the new honoree's sponsor to fund the creation and installation of their star as well as maintenance for the entire Walk. The Chamber also owns the Walk's licensing rights.

The Walk of Fame is one of Los Angeles's most popular tourist attractions, receiving an estimated ten million annual visitors in 2010. Attendance at new star unveilings can reach into the thousands, and the Walk is also a popular site for street performers, tributes, and protests. Some of the Walk's entries are controversial, as is its overall state, which leaves many disappointed and has earned it several pejoratives. Despite this, the Walk has inspired other walks around the world.

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