Some Facts About The Hollywood Walk of Fame and Those Who Received A Star This Year

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public landmark in Los Angeles featuring more than 2,800 stars honoring achievements in film, television, music, radio, live performance, and sports entertainment. Managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, new stars are selected annually through a nomination process and currently require an $85,000 sponsorship fee.

What Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

How It Started

How Stars Are Awarded

What It Costs

2026 Honourees

FAQs

Most people have walked past these stars, stepped on a few, maybe stopped to find the one belonging to their favourite celebrity, and moved on without really knowing what the Hollywood Walk of Fame actually is. How people get on it. What does it cost? Who turned it down? What happened the day someone took a pickaxe to the President’s star?

This is the complete guide to one of the most famous stretches of pavement on earth. We’re talking the full history, every year’s honourees from 2026 back to the very beginning, and every question you’ve ever Googled about the Walk — answered, with zero fluff.

What Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles, California, embedded with more than 2,800 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars, each bearing the name of a celebrity honoured for their contribution to the entertainment industry.

It runs east to west along Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue, and north to south along Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard — covering 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street. The Walk became an official Los Angeles Historic Landmark in 1978 and is managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Los Angeles.

Over 10 million people visit every year. It’s free to walk, free to photograph, and — as history has proved — occasionally free to vandalize, though we strongly advise against that last one.

Stars are awarded across six categories:

• Motion Pictures (camera icon)
• Television (television icon)
• Recording (phonograph icon)
• Live Theatre / Live Performance (theatrical masks icon)
• Radio (microphone icon)
• Sports Entertainment (baseball icon — added officially in 2022)

How the Hollywood Walk of Fame Began

The idea originated in 1953 with E.M. Stuart, the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. His stated vision was to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.” As origin stories go, it has a certain grandeur to it.

The concept went through years of planning, city approvals, and zoning battles before the Chamber unveiled eight prototype stars on August 15, 1958. Those eight inaugural honourees were: Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, Ernest Torrence, and Joanne Woodward.

The official groundbreaking for the permanent Walk happened on February 8, 1960. On March 28, 1960, the first permanent star was installed near Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street, honouring film producer and director Stanley Kramer.

Common myth: Joanne Woodward is often cited as the first star recipient. That’s because she had a ceremonial media event on February 9, 1960. But Woodward’s permanent star came months later. Stanley Kramer’s was the first one actually laid on the sidewalk.

Over the following 16 months, more than 1,500 stars were installed. Then no new stars were added for eight years. In 1968, radio and TV personality Johnny Grant relaunched the Walk with a crucial new requirement: every honouree had to attend their ceremony in person. That turned each unveiling into a media event — and the Walk has only grown in cultural significance since.

The sponsorship fee started at $2,500 in 1980. By 2020, it had reached $50,000. It now stands at $85,000.

How Does Someone Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

This is one of the most searched questions about the Walk, and the answer is more interesting than most people expect.

The Nomination Process

Anyone can nominate a celebrity — a fan, a record label, a studio, or the celebrity’s own management team. Nominations are submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during an open nomination period each year.

The Selection Committee

Nominations go to an independent selection committee made up entirely of current Walk of Fame honourees — people who already have stars. They review hundreds of submissions, vote, and their recommendations are then ratified by the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors.

The Criteria

Being famous is not enough. The selection committee evaluates candidates based on:

1. Professional achievements in their category
2. Longevity in their field (typically a minimum of five years of fame)
3. Contributions to the community — philanthropy, advocacy, cultural impact
4. Ability and willingness to attend the star ceremony in person

The Money Part

Here’s what surprises most people: the celebrity (or their sponsor) pays for the star. The current fee is $85,000, which covers the creation of the star, the installation ceremony, and ongoing maintenance. The fee is typically paid by a sponsor — a studio, record label, or production company. This means that being selected as a star is a separate event from actually receiving one. Honourees have two years from selection to schedule their ceremony; if they don’t, the selection expires.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The current sponsorship fee is $85,000. It is not a tax — it’s paid to the Hollywood Historic Trust (a non-profit) and covers: design and fabrication of the star, the installation ceremony, and ongoing maintenance and repair in perpetuity.

The fee has risen dramatically: $2,500 in 1980, $50,000 by 2020, $85,000 today. Nobody expects it to go down. The fee is typically paid by a sponsor with a financial interest in the celebrity’s profile, though fan campaigns have occasionally raised money to help, and some celebrities fund their own.

Hollywood Walk of Fame: Year-by-Year Honourees

Listed latest first, from 2026 back to where it all began. Note: ‘Class of’ years refer to the selection year; ceremonies often run into the following year.

Class of 2026  |  Announced July 2, 2025 · 35 honourees

The most globally diverse class in Walk of Fame history. Honourees from France, India, Italy, the Philippines, Australia, Brazil, Benin, Mexico and the UK. Two stars were awarded posthumously. The 2026 class is a remarkable snapshot of Hollywood’s expanding global identity.

Class of 2025  |  Announced June 24, 2024 · 35+ honourees

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Alt Text: John Carpenter, filmmaker and Hollywood Walk of Fame honouree

Prince — who famously and repeatedly declined the honour during his lifetime — was posthumously recognised in the Recording category. The class also featured John Carpenter (the horror master), South Park creators Trey Parker & Matt Stone sharing a double ceremony, and ballet icon Misty Copeland.

Class of 2024  |  Announced June 26, 2023 · 31 honourees

The year Batman became the first-ever fictional superhero to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star — earning a Guinness World Record. Chadwick Boseman and Otis Redding honoured posthumously. Dr Dre, Lenny Kravitz, Gwen Stefani, and Def Leppard are among the Recording class. Michelle Yeoh honoured fresh off her Best Actress Oscar win.

Class of 2023  |  Notable honourees

Notable 2023 class members included Ludacris (Motion Pictures), Tupac Shakur (Recording — posthumous), Ming-Na Wen (Television), Pedro Pascal, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Biehn, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Banks, Rob Lowe, and Michael B. Jordan.

Class of 2022  |  Sports Entertainment Category Introduced

The 2022 class introduced Sports Entertainment as an official Walk of Fame category for the first time. Notable honourees included DJ Khaled, Macaulay Culkin, Nipsey Hussle (Posthumous), Salma Hayek, Kenan Thompson, Black Eyed Peas, Avril Lavigne, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Class of 2019–2021  |  The pandemic years + strong classes

• 2021: Jennifer Lopez, Kim Cattrall, Ryan Seacrest, Garth Brooks, Wendy Williams.
• 2020: Monica, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Ashton Kutcher, Kelly Clarkson.
• 2019: Celine Dion, Idris Elba, Carole King, Steve Carell, Weird Al Yankovic, Penelope Cruz.

Class of 2010–2018  |  A decade of icons

• 2018: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Michael Bublé, Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato.
• 2017: Katy Perry, Adam Levine, Zac Efron, Jamie Foxx, Sofia Vergara.
• 2016: Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, LeAnn Rimes.
• 2015: Ridley Scott, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruno Mars, Chris Rock, Pharrell Williams, Iggy Pop.
• 2014: Quentin Tarantino, Mel Brooks, Tyler Perry, Usher.
• 2013: Keanu Reeves, Mick Jagger, One Direction (individual star ceremonies for members).
• 2012: Adele, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston.
• 2011: Matt Damon, Simon Cowell, Jennifer Hudson, Creedence Clearwater Revival.
• 2010: Adam Sandler, Ellen DeGeneres, Mariah Carey, Mike Tyson, Hilary Swank, Billy Ray Cyrus.

Class of 2000–2009  |  The Blockbuster Decade

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• 2009: Halle Berry, George Lopez, Brad Paisley, Taylor Lautner.
• 2008: Johnny Depp, Steve Martin, Dennis Hopper.
• 2007: Donald Trump (TV — The Apprentice), Tom Hanks (second star), Jodie Foster.
• 2006: Jim Carrey, Justin Timberlake (with NSYNC), Vin Diesel, Johnny Cash (Posthumous).
• 2005: Angelina Jolie.
• 2004: Charlize Theron, Bono, Dennis Quaid.
• 2003: Will Smith, John Travolta, Ozzy Osbourne.
• 2002: Freddie Mercury & Queen (Posthumous for Mercury), Eminem, Britney Spears, NSYNC.
• 2000–2001: Whitney Houston, Harrison Ford, Ricky Martin, Tom Hanks (first star), Sylvester Stallone, Friends cast (staggered).

Class of 1990–1999  |  Pop Culture Takes Over

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• 1999: Shania Twain, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mel Gibson.
• 1998: Robin Williams, Cher.
• 1997: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hugh Grant, Jerry Seinfeld.
• 1995–96: Michael Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg.
• 1990–94: Oprah Winfrey, Bette Midler, Billy Crystal.

Class of 1970–1989  |  Building the legacy

Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Richard Pryor, Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson (first star), Cher (first star), Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and hundreds of defining names from Hollywood’s mid-century golden era.

Class of 1960–1969  |  The founding stars

When the Walk officially opened in 1960–61, more than 1,500 stars were installed at once. Key founding-era honourees included: Stanley Kramer (first permanent star, March 28, 1960), Joanne Woodward, Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, James Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. No new stars were added from 1962 to 1968, after which Richard D. Zanuck received the first new star in eight years.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hollywood Walk of Fame

These are the questions people search for most — answered clearly and completely for the record.

Does Taylor Swift have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Not yet, as of 2026. Taylor Swift has not been selected for or received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This surprises a lot of people given her stature, but the Walk is not purely about fame — it’s about longevity, breadth of contribution, and willingness to engage with the process. Swift has never been announced as a honouree. Whether she’s been nominated and whether she’d accept is not public knowledge. Given her cultural footprint, it seems more like a when than an if.

Does Miley Cyrus have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Yes — as of May 22, 2026, Miley Cyrus officially has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is star number 2,845 in the Recording category, located at 7011 Hollywood Boulevard. Cyrus shared a personal message with the announcement, recalling late-night walks on Hollywood Boulevard as a child with her father. “When I first came to LA from Nashville as a little girl, my family would stay at a hotel on Hollywood Blvd, and I would go on late night walks with my dad when no one would recognize him,” she wrote. The full circle moment was lost on no one.

Does Ariana Grande have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

No. As of 2026, Ariana Grande has not received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has not been announced as part of any upcoming class. With her commercial success and cultural impact, she’s frequently discussed as a future candidate, but nominations are private and the selection process is opaque.

Adam Carolla — Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Adam Carolla was selected as part of the Class of 2025 in the Radio category. His star ceremony was held on May 27, 2026, at 6777 Hollywood Boulevard — star number 2,846. Carolla is one of the most prominent figures in American radio and podcasting, known for The Man Show, Loveline, and his enormously successful podcast network. His selection recognises a career spanning over three decades in broadcasting.

Muhammad Ali — Hollywood Walk of Fame

Muhammad Ali does have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — but it’s not on the ground. Ali specifically requested that his star be placed on a wall rather than the sidewalk, because walking over the name of Allah (part of his full name) felt disrespectful to him. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honoured that request. His star is mounted vertically on the wall of the Dolby Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. He is the only Walk of Fame honouree with a wall-mounted star.

Where is Donald Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Donald Trump received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on January 16, 2007, for his work on The Apprentice. It is star number 2,327, located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, near Hollywood and Highland. It has the distinction of being the most frequently vandalized star in Walk of Fame history: smashed with a sledgehammer in October 2016; smashed again with a pickaxe in July 2018 (Austin Clay, 24, arrested); surrounded with a miniature wall by street artist Plastic Jesus; fitted with fake jail bars; sprayed with graffiti on multiple occasions; and vandalized again in early 2026 with images going viral on social media. The Chamber consistently repairs and replaces the star and has never considered removing it.

What was the Hollywood Walk of Fame stabbing?

In May 2026, a fatal incident occurred near the Walk. Berry Le’Mar Henderson, 37, was waiting for a bus near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue when he was attacked by a dog. In defending himself from the dog, he stabbed the animal. The dog’s owner, Patrick Randall Perry, 55, and three other men then chased Henderson and launched a group assault, beating him with a metal bat and a Taser-baton and fatally stabbing him with the knife Henderson had dropped. All four suspects were charged with murder. The case drew widespread attention to safety conditions in the Hollywood tourist corridor.

Who was the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The first permanent star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was installed on March 28, 1960, honouring film producer and director Stanley Kramer — placed near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street. Kramer produced and directed socially conscious films including High Noon, Judgment at Nuremberg, Inherit the Wind, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Joanne Woodward is often cited as the first, because she had a ceremonial media event on February 9, 1960 — but her permanent star came after Kramer’s. The debate has confused Wikipedia editors, tour guides, and journalists for decades.

How many stars are on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

As of 2026, there are approximately 2,845+ stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The count changes regularly as new ceremonies take place. The Walk covers 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and 3 blocks of Vine Street.

Can a star be removed from the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

No star has ever been removed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s official position is that the Walk recognises professional contributions to entertainment, not personal conduct. When West Hollywood voted in 2018 to request the removal of Donald Trump’s star, the Chamber declined to act. Stars have been destroyed by vandals, but they are always replaced.

Who has the most stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Gene Autry holds the record with five stars — one in each original category: Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording, and Live Performance. He remains the only person to have achieved this. Bob Hope and Tony Martin each have four stars. More than 33 entertainers have three stars, including Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny.

Who has refused a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

A surprising number of major celebrities have declined or disengaged from the process. Reported refusals over the years include Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Bruce Springsteen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, George Clooney, Clint Eastwood, and — repeatedly, during his lifetime — Prince. Prince was posthumously honoured as part of the Class of 2025 after his death in 2016, since a posthumous award cannot be declined. Reasons for declining vary: some dislike the commercial nature of the process (the $85,000 sponsorship fee); some simply prefer privacy; some object philosophically to having their name on a sidewalk people walk over daily.

Taylor Swift Hollywood Walk of Fame — when will she get one?

No confirmed timeline exists. Taylor Swift has not been selected for a star and has made no public statements about seeking one. She is, however, one of the most frequently discussed future candidates. Nomination submissions are private, so whether she’s been put forward is unknown. Given her achievements — multiple Grammy record-breaking, billion-dollar tours, cultural ubiquity — the case for her selection is strong. The Walk of Fame committee cares about longevity, community contributions, and willingness to attend; Swift checks all those boxes in theory.

What does it take to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

A minimum of five years of professional achievement in your category, significant contributions to the entertainment industry, a willingness to attend your ceremony, a sponsor who will pay $85,000, and the approval of a selection committee made up of your peers who already have stars. Being famous alone is not enough — some of the most famous people in the world don’t have one and may never get one. Some of the most honoured stars belong to names the general public might not immediately recognise.

Is the Hollywood Walk of Fame free to visit?

Yes. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a public sidewalk. There is no admission charge, no ticket required, and no set visiting hours — it’s a street. Star ceremonies, when they happen, are also open to the public. The only cost is getting yourself to Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

What fictional characters have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

A small number of fictional characters have been honoured. The most notable recent addition is Batman (2024), who became the first fictional superhero character to receive a star — a distinction that also earned a Guinness World Record. Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, Tinker Bell, Shrek, and a handful of other iconic characters have also been honoured over the years, typically in Live Performance or Motion Pictures categories.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is equal parts institution, tourist trap, cultural landmark, and running civic drama. It’s where stars walk over stars, where cities have voted to remove stars only to be overruled, where artists have taken pickaxes to presidential legacies, and where — every few weeks — someone gets to stand on Hollywood Boulevard and have a genuine moment.

It started with Stanley Kramer in 1960, grew to 1,500 stars almost overnight, went quiet for eight years, and has never really stopped growing since. It’s now heading toward 3,000 stars, with 35 more on the way as the Class of 2026 takes their places on the sidewalk.

Some of the biggest names in entertainment are on it. Some of the biggest names in entertainment have turned it down. Most people who visit just want to find their favourite celebrity’s star.

Now you know everything. Go find the star!!