Hollywood Walk of Fame: The First Stars Revealed
The Hollywood Walk of Fame kicked off in 1958 with eight stars, including Olive Borden and Joanne Woodward. While its significance is debated today, it remains a major Hollywood milestone.
For many in the entertainment industry, having your name set in stone along Hollywood Boulevard is a dream come true. The Walk of Fame is often seen as the ultimate nod to a performer’s career, a lasting tribute to years of hard graft and a symbol that you’ve truly left your mark. As Steve Carell put it at Jennifer Garner’s star ceremony in 2018,
“The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the ultimate honour for a performer. Induction into this rarefied group is a celebration of career excellence.”
Plenty of actors share this sentiment, especially those who’ve watched the Walk evolve from a modest idea to a global icon.
Tim Burton, for instance, reflected on his own early impressions during his speech. He admitted that as a kid, he thought the stars were a bit like gravestones for Hollywood’s greats, thanks to his quirky imagination. Over time, though, he came to appreciate what the Walk really stands for.
“I used to come down here and visit the Larry Edmunds bookshop and come here, and when I found out it was here, I almost started crying because I’ve been coming here ever since I was a little child, and the store hasn’t changed at all,”
he said.
“So for me, it’s such an honour to have a star but also to have it right here in front of this incredible shop, museum, toy shop, everything… I used to spend my life here; thank you so much.”
How the Walk of Fame Got Its Start
The idea for the Walk of Fame was first floated in 1953 by EM Stuart, a volunteer with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Stuart wanted to keep the area’s reputation for glamour and excitement alive, and the Walk was his way of doing just that. After a few years of planning and back-and-forth, the first eight stars were finally unveiled in 1958.
Those first honourees were Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, Ernest Torrence, and Joanne Woodward. While Woodward is often mentioned as the very first, mostly because of a well-known photo of her next to her star, all eight were actually revealed at the same time. Back then, there weren’t the big ceremonies and fanfare we see today.
The Walk’s Changing Role in Hollywood
Since 1960, more than 2,800 names have been added to the Walk. But as with any award, there’s been plenty of chat about whether it still carries the same weight it once did. Some reckon there are still gaps in who gets recognised, with a few big names missing out despite impressive careers.
Getting a star isn’t as simple as just being famous. There’s a whole process, starting with a nomination (sometimes by the stars themselves), followed by a committee review. Even so, the Walk remains a key part of Hollywood’s culture. These days, the ceremonies are as much about mates and colleagues sharing stories and laughs as they are about the actual honour. The speeches often mix humour with heartfelt moments, making each unveiling a bit more personal.