Where is the Hollywood Walk of Fame, what stars are on it and is there a map to your favourite celebs?
EVERYONE has heard of the Hollywood Walk of Fame – which has appeared in iconic movies such as Pretty Woman and is visited by over 10 million tourists each year.
But exactly what is it, where is it, and who has a star there?
What is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Honouring the most prolific and influential contributors to the entertainment industry, the Hollywood Walk of Fame contains over 2,600 terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the pavement bearing the names of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities past and present.
The stars fall into five categories - Motion Pictures, Radio, Television, Recording and Live Theatre and it is possible to have more than one star; however, only one person has a star in all five categories - legendary American singing cowboy Gene Autry.
Not just anyone can have a star. Nominations have to be submitted and are approved by a selection committee just once a year.
The subject of the star must be in agreement to being honoured, and not all of them do - Prince turned it down twice saying that the timing wasn't right.
The late Purple Rain singer could now be nominated for a star posthumously, but there is a waiting period of five years before a star honouring someone who is deceased will be considered.
It costs a staggering $30,000 (almost £25,000) to sponsor a star for life, and once installed they are never removed – even if their namesake is subsequently disgraced.
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Where exactly is it?
The Hollywood Walk Of Fame is in the heart of Los Angeles, spanning fifteen blocks - approximately 1.3 miles.
It begins at the famous Sunset Boulevard, crosses into Hollywood Boulevard and then continues into Vine Street.
Which British stars have names there?
British celebs to have been honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star include:
- Sir Paul McCartney
- Hugh Laurie
- Dame Helen Mirren
- Daniel Radcliffe
- Emma Thompson
- Angela Lansbury
- Sir Ridley Scott
- Joan Collins
- John Lennon
- Simon Fuller
- Elton John
- Tim Rice
- David Bowie
- Tom Jones
- Simon Cowell
- Richard Branson
Is there a map to your favourite celebs?
Because there are so many stars spanning such a vast distance, it might be difficult to find your favourite celeb's star.
Thankfully, there's a Hollywood Walk Of Fame map to help you locate them.
It's available at the LA Times.
5 facts about the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
• A condition of the selection committee is that the subject of the star must attend the unveiling - but they have five years to get a date in their diary.
• Want your picture taken on Harrison Ford or Michael Jackson's stars? Make sure you are at the right one, as they both have not so famous namesakes with stars on the Walk of Fame too.
• It's not just for real people - fictional characters are allowed stars too. Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Shrek and Kermit are all there.
• A time capsule was buried under the Walk of Fame in 2010 to mark it's 50th anniversary - the capsule is set to be opened in 2060.
• Not all the spellings are right first time. Veep actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus was mistakenly unveiled as "Julia Luis Dreyfus" and actor Dick Van Dyke of Mary Poppins fame's star had to be changed when his last name was spelled "Vandyke".
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