11.6.2007

10 Things You Should Know About the Hollywood Walk of Fame

1. The first star was given to Joanne Woodward on February 9th, 1960.

2. Mohammad Ali’s star is hanging on a wall at the Kodak Theater after he requested his star not be walked on by people who “don’t have no respect for me.” Smooth Mr. Ali, smooth.

3. In order to receive a star, a celebrity must first agree to appear at the presentation ceremony, plus pony up $25,000 (though generally this is paid by a record company, movie studio, etc. in conjunction with a publicity campaign).

4. Four stars’ stars have been stolen: Kirk Douglas, Jimmy Stewart, Gene Autry, and Gregory Peck. Three were nabbed by contractors during construction projects — two of which were recovered quickly, and one of which (Gene Autry’s) later turned up in Iowa. Gregory Peck’s was sawed right out of the street and has yet to be recovered.

5. There are two Harrison Fords on the Walk of Fame. This guy. And this guy.

6. The celebrity with the most stars on the Walk is Gene Autry. He’s got five. One in each of the five possible categories (film, television, radio, music, theater).

7. John Denver was awarded a star in 1982, but at the time of his death in 1997 he still hadn’t received it. The holdup? Scheduling his acceptance appearance.

8. Five Barrymores have stars on the Walk (Drew, Ethel, John, John Drew, and Lionel, who actually has two).

9. Three dogs have received stars: Lassie, Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart (four, if you count Whoopi Goldberg).

10. Spike Jones has one. Spike Jonze doesn’t.

Related posts: 10 Things You Should Know About William Zabka | Everything You (N)ever Wanted to Know About Pez | 41 Things We Don’t Care About

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