Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a series of sidewalks in Hollywood, California that are decorated with embedded stars containing the names of various famous figures and fictional characters in the entertainment industry. It was originally constructed in the 1950s by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to encourage the redevelopment of Hollywood Boulevard, and has continued to be a promoted as a way to boost tourism. 
Due to the notability and popularity of this commercial endeavor, as well as symbolic associations, the Walk of Fame has become notable among some fandoms and fan communities. 
In the past, it was not uncommon for fans to create campaigns and other fan funds, as well as entire zines to solicit money from each other in order to buy the star for their chosen celebrity, something that could lead to hurt feelings, political maneuverings, and pressure for fans to show their fealty.
In later years, this process was much less home-grown, and it has been completely taken over by official public relations.
==Walk of Fame Star used by TPTB for marketing purposes==
Nowadays Productions studios usually may pay the USD 75,000 sponsorship fee (as of February 2024) and take care of the nomination process (including an $250 application fee per submission) to have a Walk of Fame Star awarding ceremony of their star/celebrity just in time with for an upcoming movie, TV-show, Video Game, album release etc. for promotional reasons. The Walk of Fame ceremonies are open and free to the public and there is often a large media coverage as well.
The Hollywood chamber of commerce still has to decide and agree on the suggested honoree, and the application permission and requirements have to be meet. If the decision is negative, the application fee still is payable. 
The sponsorship fee is used to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The Price subject to change and changed from USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 to 75,000 in the last years.
==Fannish Interaction==
In the past, it was not uncommon for fans to use campaigns and other fan funds to raise the money to purchase a star for their chosen celebrity. 
This was often promoted as being a gift for their egos and careers, as well as the show they were associated with. From a plea for George Takei's star: 
This was echoed by Bjo Trimble who said: 
This boosterism did not go over well with all fans. In 1984, a fan expressed their feeling of being manipulated: 
Sometimes the celebrities themselves had mixed feelings about fans' money being used in this way: 
Fans made physical visits, at further personal expense, to attend the star dedication ceremony. The first The William Shatner Fan Fellowship Weekend was planned to correspond with Shatner receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The editor of The DeForest Dispatch (Apr/June/July 1989) told fans: "So everyone start those diets and saving money for the big trip. We're going to have a grand ol' time for this event." See the 1992 Leap Weekend. Kandy Fong brought her friends to Los Angeles to videotape the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremonies, plus the private parties afterwards for Leonard Nimoy and Gene Roddenberry. It was a feature in zines to include fan descriptions of these gatherings, not unlike fans visiting sets, as a way for fans to vicariously experience the event. See Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.4 (Mar/Apr 1985) See The William Shatner Connection #3 (Winter 1991) See Interstat #96 (October 1985) 
Fans would visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars as an act of a pilgrimage and fan tourism and symbol of their devotion. While there, this respect for star recipients could also be shown by fans leaving tribute at the star, such as flowers or other items. Having one's photo taken with the embedded star is also popular. 
===Fealty, Hurt Feelings, Political Clout, Over-Reach, and General Strife===
For some fans, the lack of a star for their favorite celebrity was felt to be a slight, and procuring a star was an homage and proof of fealty. There are many instances of fans, either singly or banding together, to promote a star by raising funds. It was an activity that was sometimes fraught with politics and hurt feelings. 
From Bjo Trimble in 1984: 
In 1982, a fan said she was not in favor of a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for anyone: 
Another fan in 1982 wrote about how in-fighting and politics (some of which was about the fan campaign for William Shatner's star) helped bring down a fan club: 
When Gene Roddenberry attended his ceremony in 1985, some BNFs were invited to one of his private parties. A fan named some "long-time fans" who enjoyed the delicious lunch of prime rib and soft serve ice cream machines, the busboys dressed in Star Trek costumes, the "rock band" called "Street Legal," and had many opportunities to talk with Roddenberry himself. While fans reading of this account in Interstat #95 were likely happy to hear of other fans having fun and enjoying this prestige, it was also a reminder of social clout and differing opportunities.
===Personal Sacrifice and Fans===
Some fans could personally afford to support these promotional activities, both by donating to the fund, and by showing up at the presentation ceremony. And other fans could not. 
In 1985, a fan described Susan Sackett's "handsome, gold-lettered invitation" to attend the ceremony in California to attend the dedication of Gene Roddenberry's Hollywood Walk of Fame star. The editor of the zine said: 
In 1989, DeForest Kelley got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the editor told club members: 
In 1991, a fan, Mysti Frank, responded to another fan: 
===Stray Funds and Decisions===
Raising money for a Star also had the added element of what to do with the money if the Star was denied, or not enough funds were raised. In 1984, Bjo Trimble counseled fans about some decisions: 
==Some Specific Fan Fund-Raising Projects==
===Brian Keith's Star===
Fans of Brian Keith who starred in Hardcastle and McCormick raised funds for Keith's star via the creation and sale of some 2007 zines:
* Pastiche a Trois
* Really Neat Fic and Gals With a Sense of Humor
* Something's Going On In This Zine
* Trio for Three Wind Instruments
* Mr. Hardcastle Goes to Hollywood
In June 2008, Brian Keith was honored posthumously with the 2,365th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star was sponsored by his fans.
===Nimoy, Shatner, Roddenberry, Nichols and Other Star Trek: TOS Stars===
Most of the major Star Trek: TOS actors, as well as Gene Roddenberry, have stars. 
The January/February 1985 issue of Empathy News reprinted an article an article from "Variety" about Gene Roddenberry's Hollywood Star with an accompanying letter by Roddenberry's personal assistant, Susan Sackett, asking for money that she has already spent: 
 
Image:interstat96-1.jpg|from Interstat #96 (1985), about The Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Gene Roddenberry
Image:interstat96-2.jpg|from Interstat #96 (1985), about The Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony for Gene Roddenberry
===Dean Stockwell's Star===
Dean Stockwell, the actor who portrayed Al Calavicci in Quantum Leap, had a requirement for fans' donation:
From the Quantum Leap zine Green Eggs and Ham #1 (1991):
See the 1992 Leap Day for a description of some of the final ceremonies.
===Ron Perlman's Star===
From 1990: 
 
=== Harrison Ford's Star ===
The star for Harrison Ford ran into issues regarding fan relations. 
Ford was notoriously prickly about fan clubs and organized fandom. Several fans were given the go-ahead by Ford's agent, but this agreement appears to have been made a bit on the sly, as the agent did not want Ford to know she had any sort of hand in it, instead wanting the campaign to appear 100% organic. When wires got crossed, this caused some problems. 
In August 1983, the editor of Rogue's Gallery, boosted a fan's plan: 
 
As of February 5, 1985, "the Star Fund as reported by Ruth Scott [stood] at $1,600.50 collected from 113 people." as was reported in Rogue's Gallery #18 
As of August 1986, the fund drive stood at $1,900.58. According to Ruth Scott, the campaign's organizer, the recent rise of the star from $3,000 to $3,500 would not affect Ford's star, as it was planned before the price adjustment. as reported in "Rogue's Gallery" #24 (September 1986) 
In 1987, Ruth Scott, wrote: 
Perhaps this all could have been avoided. In 1981, Ford mentioned that when he began acting, there was another actor called Harrison Ford, and Ford thought about using the name Harrison J. Ford to differentiate the two. Ford was quoted as saying: 
==External links==
* Official website
* Hollywood Walk of Fame article on Wikipedia
==References==
Category:Fan Activities