Your Name Amongst the Stars: How to Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Jude Law, Ralph Macchio, and Kerry Washington are just a few of the most recent names to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although the honor is certainly a boast-worthy achievement, it’s important for up-and-comers with stars in their eyes to remember that all that glisters is not gold. Here’s what you need to know about the concrete cosmos, whether Hollywood stars really matter, and ways to get one in your orbit.

What is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark running along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Tinseltown. It’s dedicated to honoring the best and brightest of the entertainment industry. 

Conceptualized in 1953 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president E.M. Stuart as a way to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world,” the Walk was first installed in 1960, following a prototype experiment honoring eight celebrities (Joanne Woodward, Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, and Ernest Torrence). The first permanent star was laid for director Stanley Kramer on March 28, 1960. Just eight years later, radio personality Johnny Grant implemented the rule that honorees must attend their unveiling ceremony—and the rest is Hollywood history.

What is a Hollywood star?

Chris Hemsworth

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The Hollywood star is a terrazzo and brass five-pointed star bearing the name of an honoree and the category their contributions fall within. The Walk of Fame consists of a series of approximately 2,800 stars, growing at a rate of approximately 30 stars per year.

What are the Hollywood star categories?

Hollywood star recipients are chosen for their success in one of the following categories:

  • Motion pictures
  • Television
  • Radio
  • Recording
  • Live theater/performance
  • Sports entertainment

Requirements to get a Hollywood star

The criteria to be nominated for the coveted coral star include:

  • Professional achievement: critical and/or popular success in the category of nomination
  • Longevity: at least five years of work in the category
  • Contributions to the community: charitable contributions and/or advocacy work
  • Attendance: a guarantee that the nominated celebrity will attend the dedication ceremony (this requirement is waived for posthumous nominations, which are accepted beginning two years after death)

Do Hollywood stars really matter?

To quote the meme (itself a misquote from “So You Want to Be a Pirate!”): “Well yes, but actually no.” While the stars are a potent indicator of success, they aren’t gatekeepers of the limelight. 

Earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is seen by many as a sign of truly making it in the biz. Beyond the in-the-moment recognition, the landmark’s 10 million annual visitors means free (after that initial hefty fee, of course) publicity for life…and beyond. 

“This is the only award that can be shared with the fans,” explained Ana Martinez, who has produced the Walk of Fame ceremonies for nearly 40 years. “The Oscar, the Grammy, the Tony is in somebody’s home. This one is on the sidewalk. [Fans] can sit next to it. They can pose with it. It’s an interactive award.”

However, while it may be a tangible symbol of success, many titans of the industry don’t have a star, and several—including Bruce Springsteen, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, and Prince—even turned down a star after being successfully nominated. For most, it can help to think of the Hollywood star as a nice byproduct of a successful career, rather than a worthwhile goal all on its own.

How to get a Hollywood star

Having your name embedded in that iconic pink terrazzo might feel like an impossible dream—but if Lassie could do it (yes, the dog has a star!), maybe you can, too. Here’s your roadmap to sidewalk stardom:

1. Build your legacy.

Before even thinking about that star, you need at least five years of serious achievements. We’re talking proper, industry-recognized work—your viral TikTok dance probably won’t cut it (at least not yet). You must excel in at least one of the six major categories to have your application reach the review board. So, brush up on your skills, apply to casting calls, and continually work on improving and growing your career, and just maybe the stars will align. 

2. Find a nominator. 

Honorees cannot nominate themselves, so you’ll need someone (usually a fan club, manager, or record label) to do the heavy lifting for you. If you’re talented enough, someone might nominate you without you needing to cajole them—but a little elbow-rubbing never hurts.

3. Perfect the application.

The application must be submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during the annual nomination window (usually in April and May, with voting taking place in June). Beyond the $250 application fee, this should include:

  • Photo: a killer headshot 
  • Brief bio: 750 or fewer characters describing your career history
  • Qualifications: a description of how you exemplify your category of nomination
  • Contributions: any do-gooder community advocacy or charitable work 
  • Letter of agreement: a promise in writing that you’ll attend your star ceremony (no sending your assistant to accept while you’re lounging in Malibu—this is a mandatory photo op!)

4. Get ready to shell out.

To paraphrase the character played by Tom Cruise (who has his own Hollywood Star) in “Jerry Maguire,” you’ll need to show them the money—to the tune of $75,000—to get your star. The cost goes toward creating and installing the star, as well as maintaining the Walk of Fame. If the cost feels prohibitive, don’t let it scare you. Most honorees don’t actually pay for it themselves, instead letting their studio, record label, agency, or wealthy fan foot the bill. 

5. Be prepared.

If selected, you’ve got two years to schedule your ceremony. Miss that window, and you’ll be back to square one and need to have your nomination sent in again. Remember: While talent and fame are crucial, timing and strategy also play huge roles in the event. Many recipients align their ceremonies with movie premieres, album releases, or career milestones to maximize the spotlight.

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