The Hollywood Walk of Fame has over 2,600 stars as far as I know. Each star represents an influential figure in the entertainment world, including actors, musicians, directors, producers, and other entertainment industry professionals. New stars are added regularly to honor ongoing contributions to the industry.

The origin of the Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame has its roots in the early 1950s, when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce began discussing ways to honor prominent figures in the entertainment industry. The president of the Chamber of Commerce at the time, E.M. Stuart, proposed the idea of creating a “Walk of Fame” that would immortalize the names of celebrities on terrazzo plaques embedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.

The first star on the Walk of Fame was dedicated to film director Stanley Kramer in 1960. Since then, the Walk of Fame has become an iconic landmark and popular tourist attraction in Hollywood, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Over the years, the Walk of Fame has expanded to include a variety of categories, including film, television, music, theater, and even radio. Each star is a lasting tribute to an individual's legacy and contributions to the entertainment industry.

How does a celebrity get the star?

For a celebrity to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the process generally follows these steps:

1. **Nomination:** An individual or group of people may nominate a celebrity to receive a star on the Walk of Fame. This can be done by fans, agents, studios, or even the celebrity themselves.

2. **Eligibility:** The celebrity nominee must meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. This includes significant contributions to the entertainment industry, such as in film, television, music, theater or radio.

3. **Acceptance:** If the nomination is accepted, the celebrity or their representative is notified and must agree to attend the inauguration ceremony and pay an appearance fee (currently around $50,000.00).

4. **Ceremony Planning:** The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce organizes an unveiling ceremony for the star, usually held on the Walk of Fame. The date of the ceremony is coordinated with the schedule of the celebrity being honored.

5. **Inauguration:** At the inauguration ceremony, the celebrity is honored and their star is unveiled. Speeches are usually given by friends, colleagues, or fans of the celebrity.

After its unveiling, the star remains permanently on the Walk of Fame, becoming part of Hollywood's cultural heritage.