Take a Stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Bruce Lee's star at the Hong Kong avenue of stars in the late evening hours, people walking by, motion blurred

The Hollywood walk of Fame is a tribute to some of the greatest entertainers in the history of our country. It is located in Hollywood, California and is not to be missed during any trip that takes you near the epicenter of entertainment.

The Walk of Fame has been in existence since 1958 and each year the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce votes on which stars will be added. Anyone in the entertainment industry can be nominated including cartoons, corporations, and of course, stars. A little known fact of the walk of fame is that it costs $25,000 dollars, to be paid by the inductee, to be immortalized with a star.

There are a couple of stars that are unique even among this honored group. Muhammad Ali did not wish that anyone step on his star so it was placed on a building along the route. The Apollo 11 astronauts all have a star to commemorate their successful lunar landing, the youngest people to receive a star were Mary Kate and Ashley Olson at the age of eighteen, and Gene Autrey is the only person to receive a star in each of the five recognized categories (Film, broadcast television, recording, radio, and live theater).

The process of awarding stars can be confusing to the public. For instance Robert Redford still does not have a star, but Big Bird does. Mel Gibson is on the outside looking in, but Pee Wee Herman has his very own star. Two dogs have been immortalized on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rin Tin Tin, and of course, Lassie.

The walk of fame is a great way to spend an afternoon, but it is unlikely that you will see an actual star near the walk of fame unless it is during an induction ceremony. Hollywood is not the glamorous neighborhood that is portrayed on television.

Hollywood is in a depressed area of Los Angeles. There have been sixty percent more murders so far in 2008 than there were at this time in 2007. In fact, every area of violent crime has seen an increase in 2008 (LAPD Crime Statistics http://www.lapdonline.org/assets/pdf/hwdprof.pdf ).

People who live in Hollywood typically work in the entertainment, hospitality, and transportation industries. Another thing to take into careful consideration is that the traffic in Los Angeles will likely make your commute to work a lengthy one.