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Mayor Johnny Grant, remains Chairman of the Walk of Fame as well as Chairman of the Hollywood Historic Trust, sums it all up as follows: "The Trust is pleased to offer voluntary financial assistance to the City of Los Angeles in the maintenance and restoration of the Walk of Fame. It is Hollywood's top tourist attraction and we want it t be a happy experience for our many guests who come to visit and be photographed with their favorite celebrity's sidewalk star. We also owe it to our honorees to keep their terrazzo and brass recognition in pristine condition." |
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| President & CEO - Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Leron Gubler |
When the Hollywood community realized that more personalities had earned a permanent home in the heart of Hollywood, the Chamber, launched an ongoing program. Star number 1,542 went to legendary producer Richard Zanuck. His Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication ceremony occurred December 11, 1968. Since that event, from 12 to 36 stars have been added annually to the world famous boulevard.
In the early 1980s, radio and television personality Johnny Grant became involved with the Chamber. At that time, the Walk of Fame was more than two decades old, and many stars had become marked with cracks, chips and missing pieces. The first major action that Johnny Grant undertook as the new chairman of the Hollywood Walk of Fame was to behind a revitalization of the Walk. In 1987, two hundred of the 1,857 stars then in existence required overhauling or complete replacement due to years of pedestrian and automobile traffic. Repair work continues to this day on the Walk.
In order to pay for the work associated with the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Historic Trust was created and the Chamber began a licensing program after having trademarked the Walk of Fame symbol. Revenue from the licensing program and a portion of fees raised from each ceremony are used to help maintain the Walk.
A major problem causing damage to the Walk was the growth of the fichus trees that were planted in 1962, when the Walk of Fame was completed. A campaign by the City and the Hollywood Entertainment District has been replacing the fichus trees with palms, jacaranda and other species that are less intrusive than the fichus. It is hoped to eventually remove all of the fichus trees.
Perhaps the greatest publicity associated with damage to the Walk occurred with the construction of the subway through Hollywood in the 1990s. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority removed and stored several hundred stars during construction from around the subway portals. However, when the construction caused the street to sink as much as 10 inches, many other stars were damaged, and the MTA eventually replaced or repaired the damaged stars. |
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Mayor Johnny Grant, who still remains Chair of the Walk of Fame as well as Chair of the Hollywood Historic Trust, sums it all up as follows: "The Trust is pleased to offer voluntary financial assistance to the City of Los Angeles in the maintenance and restoration of the Walk of Fame. It is Hollywood's top tourist attraction and we want it to be a happy experience for our many guests who come to visit and be photographed with their favorite celebrity’s sidewalk star. We also owe it to our honorees to keep their terrazzo and brass recognition in pristine condition."
As of March 2005, there are 2,281 stars in the Walk. The history of Hollywood lives on through these five acres of terrazzo stars. The great men, women, animals and animated characters honored herein have entertained millions of people over the years. Their names are memorialized here to be remembered and recalled forever. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud of the role it has played in conceiving, developing, and maintaining the Walk. It is indeed a cherished treasure, not only for our community, but for the world! |
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