Politics of the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Besides egos and career promotion for living celebrities, politics enables the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (but maintained by the Hollywood Historic Trust) and led by emcee & Hollywood Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is what truly makes Hollywood, well, Hollywood (along with Sid Grauman's concrete imprint collection!) since 1960/61 when the first 1,558 stars were placed. Since then, a five member committee selects about 20 stars to be installed each year based on the recipients contributions to the Hollywood community. One star is sometimes given each year posthumously. Terrazo & brass create the world-famous stars, and anyone can nominate anyone (with the nominees blessing) to be reviewed on the following criteria: professional achievement, longevity of five years in the field of entertainment, and contributions to the community.

But here's where the real politics come into play...

The Stars, after being selected by the 5 member panel of experts in their respective fields, must be approved by the Board of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Then, the City of Los Angeles's 5-member, full-time, paid-over-$140K-each-per-year Board of Public Works must approve the person and location. And finally, the 15 member City Council must give their approval. Lots to go through just to get a story on Entertainment Tonight and E!... or is it?

The City has approved every star recommendation put forth... except one.
In 1984, after the success of the Olympics in Los Angeles, ABC was proposed for a star. The City Council voted it down. According to Johnny Grant:

During the time of the 1984 Olympics, Los Angeles citizens were in a euphoric frame of mind over the games coming to their city. ABC made a request for a star denoting their coverage of the Olympic Games. I told the ABC representative (Paul Masterson) that I did not think it would be approved by the city, but would send the nomination to them "in the spirit of the Olympics."

It was not approved... and the ordinance against commercialism is still on the books.

Only once did the City Council voted against the recommendation by the Chamber of a star's installation, which is not bad considering there are over 2000 stars in place! And about that commercialism thing - the Chamber has just recently gotten away with it by placing major entities (businesses) with over a 50-year history related to Hollywood on private property near the Walk of Fame, the first being Disneyland. Since it's not in the public right-of-way, no City approval is needed. Although, there is a question whether the Cultural Affairs Commission must approve any public art visible from the street. But, if they claim it to be advertising & not art, then "signs must" be approved (with permits) by the Department of Building & Safety. But, who's going to push this issue, really?

So, politics be what they may in Los Angeles, who knows when some City Councilmember in the future will vote "no." But, if fans are willing to "support" their favorite star online, I'm sure they'll pressure the City Council to support whoever the next major star who needs a star!