The Hollywood Walk of Fame

How it began

The Walk of Fame was dreamed up in the 1950s as a way to celebrate Hollywood's entertainers and bring visitors back to its main streets. In September 1958, eight prototype stars were set at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue to show the public how it would look.

Lawsuits delayed construction, but work finally began in February 1960. On 28 March 1960 the first permanent star, for the producer and director Stanley Kramer, was set in the sidewalk, and the Walk was dedicated that November.

Getting a star

Being famous is not enough. Someone, usually a studio, record label or fan club, must nominate the entertainer, and a selection committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce reviews the list each year. Nominees need at least five years of experience in their category.

If a nominee is chosen, the sponsor pays a fee, $85,000 as of 2026, which covers making and installing the star, the unveiling ceremony and upkeep of the whole Walk. The honoree is expected to attend the unveiling, which can draw crowds in the thousands.

Six kinds of stars

Each star carries a small emblem showing its category. Today there are six: motion pictures, television, recording, radio, live theater or performance, and sports entertainment. Film is the biggest group, but music and television are close behind.

Some people have more than one star. The singing cowboy Gene Autry is the only person honored in five categories. Bob Hope and Tony Martin have four each.

A growing sidewalk

By September 2026 the Walk had 2,857 stars along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. Because some people have several stars, the number of individual honorees is smaller than the number of stars.

Fictional characters can be honored too. Lassie was among the first. No star has ever been removed, which means a stroll down the boulevard is a walk through more than 65 years of entertainment history.

Visiting the Walk

The Walk is free to visit and open all day. The busiest stretch is around the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Academy Awards ceremony.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce publishes a searchable list of every star and its location, as well as upcoming unveiling ceremonies, which are open to the public. Arriving early is the best way to get a good spot.

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