30 Jul 2021
Recent ceremony, Television Permalink
terry crews

Terry Crews

July 30, 2021

terry crews

WHO: Honoree: Terry Crews

EMCEE: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, Nicole Mihalka.

WHAT: Dedication of the 2,699th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Television

WHERE: 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Eastown

WHEN: Friday, July 30, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PST

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored entertainer Terry Crews with the 2,699th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, July 30, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PST. The star was  dedicated in the category of Television at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Eastown.

“Terry Crews is one talented entertainer and has delved into many aspects of the entertainment world quite successfully! He is a fan favorite and his fans will be excited to be able to visit his star on Hollywood Boulevard for many years to come!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tichina Arnold and Howie Mandel joined Emcee Nicole Mihalka, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.

Terry Crews, action-movie hero, sitcom star, children’s book illustrator, advertising pitchman, playable video game character, talent show host, high-end furniture designer, and human rights activist all describe the man that is Terry Crews. The unstoppable Crews stars on the NBC Golden Globe Award winning hit series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which premiere its 8th and final season on August 12th and he hosts NBC’s top-rated alternative series “America’s Got Talent,” which is in its 16th season on air now.

Crews’ no holds-barred approach to work has made him a force to be reckoned with as his career continues to evolve. The three-time People Magazine Sexiest Man Alive actor has starred as a series regular in three consecutive TV series that have surpassed the coveted 100-episode mark (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Are We There Yet?” and “Everybody Hates Chris”), a back-to-back-to-back fete that is extremely rare in Hollywood. The diversity of Crews’ film career is a perfect example of the complexity and range of his ability as an actor – from starring as the hilarious Latrell Spencer in White Chicks to the scary President Camacho in Idiocracy to action hero Hale Caesar in The Expendables franchise. Crews has also notably been folded into Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions family, appearing in six of his films (“Sandy Wexler,” “The Ridiculous 6”, “Blended,” “Click,” “The Benchwarmers” and “The Longest Yard”). Crews most recently starred in the critically acclaimed Boots Riley film “Sorry To Bother You” opposite Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson and in the blockbuster film “Deadpool 2”. Next up, Crews is set to star in the Paramount animated feature film “Rumble,” slated for a February 18, 2022 theatrical release.

Behind the brawn, bullets, and laughs is a renaissance man from Flint, Michigan who, as a teen, got his first big break after high school with an art scholarship at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. This was followed by an Art Excellence scholarship and a full-ride athletic scholarship for football at Western Michigan University, where, as a star defense end, he helped lead the Broncos to a Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship in 1988. After several years in the NFL (where he painted portraits of teammates to supplement his income) with the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles, Crews turned his talents to the performing arts, where his talent, hard work, character, and dedication has made him one of the most sought out and respected talents in the industry.

A true definition of success, Crews’ life off-screen is as exciting and dynamic as his public persona.  Crews dedicates his free time to keeping physically fit — both in mind and body while also working with several non-profit organizations including Safe Horizon, Peace Over Violence and the Polaris Project. For his dedication in helping these organizations, he was awarded the UN Global Generation Award at the UN headquarters and continues to be honored by numerous organizations for his tireless advocacy in helping to combat sexual harassment and abuse, domestic violence and human trafficking.

https://youtu.be/IMZtJuQV7oc

29 Jul 2021
Recording Permalink

Jackie Wilson

July 29, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that legendary entertainer Jackie Wilson has been honored with the 2,672nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, September 4, 2019. The posthumous star was dedicated in the category of Recording at 7057 Hollywood Boulevard.

“ The late, great Jackie Wilson is one of the most important and influential recording artists of his generation!” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a man who broke barriers and inspired many young singers.” added Martinez.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star will be Walk of Famer will be Berry Gordy, Marshall Thompson and Smokey Robinson. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. was born on June 9, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. Wilson began singing in a gospel quartet called the Ever-Ready Gospel Singers. In 1953 he joined Billy Ward and his Dominoes, eventually becoming lead singer of the vocal group, replacing Clyde McPhatter. He launched his solo career in November 1957 with his debut single “Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet)” which entered Billboard magazine’s pop chart in November 1957. From 1958 to 1970, Jackie Wilson was a mainstay of the R&B and pop charts where he amassed two dozen Top Forty singles. All of his classics, released on the landmark Brunswick Records label, were crucial in shaping R&B music.

Known as “Mr. Excitement”, Jackie Wilson captivated audiences with his dazzling stage moves and soaring vocal range. Even today, few artists can reach his mesmerizing upper vocal range in studio or on stage. Wilson’s music career crossed genres, from doo-wop and rhythm & blues to easy listening standards and rock ‘n’ roll. He was an electrifying, charismatic showman who ushered in the emergence of soul and R&B in the sixties and has been honored with inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The R&B Music Hall of Fame.

The commercial success of Wilson along with Brunswick’s endeavors steered Jackie into television bookings on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, Hullabaloo, Shivaree and Shindig! Jackie is also seen doing “You Better Know It” in the 1959 movie Go, Johnny, Go! Wilson’s music was omnipresent on the hit parade: “You Better Know It,” “Doggin’ Around,” “Night,” “Alone At Last,” “My Empty Arms,” “A Woman, A Lover, A Friend,” and Baby Workout.” Additional Wilson sessions were done in Chicago with acclaimed engineer Bruce Swedien at the board, which yielded “Whispers (Gettin’ Louder),” “Higher and Higher,” “I Get the Sweetest Feeling,” and “This Love Is Real.”

In 2008, “Higher & Higher” was utilized by Barack Obama as the theme song for his historic Presidential campaign.

On September 29, 1975, while playing a Dick Clark oldies revue show at the Latin Casino in New Jersey, Jackie Wilson suffered a heart attack on stage and was subsequently hospitalized until his death on January 21, 1984 at age 49.

Events and celebrations in Hollywood like the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony and the ongoing efforts on behalf of Brunswick Records and the Wilson Family continue to acknowledge the saga and sonic legacy of Jackie Wilson.

Jackie’s epic recordings remain in our memories and they constantly reach new ears on the radio, movies, television, and digital universe.

29 Jul 2021
Motion Pictures Permalink

Kristen Bell

July 29, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that actresses Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel will be honored with a special double star ceremony with the 2,681st and 2,682nd stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, November 19, at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The stars will be dedicated in the categories of Motion Pictures and Live Theatre/Live Performance respectively 6225 Hollywood in front of the Pantages Theatre.

“The Hollywood Walk of Fame makes an extra special effort to pair artists who work together or are related with their stars next to each other” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We are thrilled to place Kristen and Idina who are the stars of the Disney film ‘Frozen’ together in front of Hollywood’s most historic theatres” added Martinez.

Kristen Bell was born in Detroit Michigan. She found her talent in entertainment at an early age. In 1992, she went to her first audition and won a role in “Raggedy Ann and Andy”. After graduating from Shrine Catholic High School, Bell moved to New York City to attend the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied musical theater. In 2001, she left university to play the role of Becky in “Tom Sawyer” on Broadway. In 2002, Bell appeared in the Broadway revival of “The Crucible” with Liam Neeson. She then moved to Los Angeles and appeared in a handful television shows as a special guest. At age 24, she won the title role of seventeen-year-old detective Veronica Mars. This series remains a cult classic, and Bell received much attention for her award nominated performance. In 2014, Bell reprised her beloved title role in Warner Bros’ film “Veronica Mars,” which raised $2 million on Kickstarter in less than 11 hours and broke the record at the time for the fastest project to reach $1 million and $2 million.

Bell currently stars in the NBC series “The Good Place,” opposite Ted Danson, which is now airing its fourth and final season. Additionally, Bell is executive producing and appearing in a second season of “Encore!” that will air on Disney’s streaming platform Disney+ in 2019. Bell recently starred in “A Bad Moms Christmas,” alongside Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn. The film is a sequel to 2016’s “Bad Moms,” the first STX film to gross more than $100 million domestically.

In 2016, Bell appeared as Jeannie Van Der Hooven in Showtime’s “House of Lies” opposite Don Cheadle, which wrapped its fifth and final season. She appeared in a guest-starring arc on NBC’s hit series “Parks & Recreation” and played the lead role in the independent film “The Lifeguard,” which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

Her other film credits include: “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “PANDAS,” “Teen Titans Go! to the Movies,” “Like Father,” “CHIPs,” “How To Be A Latin Lover,” “The Lifeguard,” “The Boss,” “Hit & Run,” “Movie 43,” “Some Girls,” “Writers,” “Big Miracle,” “You Again,” “Burlesque,” “When in Rome,” “Couples Retreat,” “Pulse,” “Serious Moonlight” and David Mamet’s “Spartan.” Her television credits include: “Parks & Recreation,” “Unsupervised,” “Deadwood,” “Heroes” and “Party Down,” and of course, Disney’s “Frozen”.

Bell is a believer in giving back. She has donated her time to many charities including: This Bar Save Lives, United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanity Fund, No Kid Hungry, Children’s Miracle Network and many others.

29 Jul 2021
Live Performance Permalink

Idina Menzel

July 29, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was honored to present actresses Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel with the 2,681st and 2,682nd stars with special double star ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. PDT. The stars have been dedicated in the categories of Motion Pictures and Live Theatre/Live Performance respectively 6225 Hollywood in front of the Pantages Theatre.

Idina Menzel was born in New York. She started her career at the age of 15 when she began working as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer. This job carried her throughout her time at the renowned Tisch School of Arts where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama.

Menzel is a powerhouse of talent: a singer, an actor in film and TV, a songwriter, a Broadway star and a philanthropist. She rose to fame for her role as ‘Maureen’ in the popular Broadway musical “RENT”, and her career took off when she won a Tony Award for her role as ‘Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West,’ in the smash musical, “WICKED”. Her voice can be heard as ‘Elsa’ in Disney’s Oscar® winning Frozen, the second highest grossing animated film of all time, with more than $1.2 billion in worldwide box office revenue. The film’s signature song “Let It Go,” voiced by Menzel, became an instant international phenomenon, winning the Oscar® for Best Original Song – where Menzel performed it at the ceremony – and the Grammy® Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The track reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Menzel the first artist with both a Billboard Top 10 hit and a Tony Award for acting. Menzel’s new holiday album, “Christmas: A Season of Love,” was released on October 18th and later this year she will also reprise her leading role as ‘Elsa’ in Frozen 2. This winter, she also joins Adam Sandler in the Safdie Brothers’ A24 film Uncut Gems.

A skillful songwriter, Menzel’s prolific recording career includes multiple cast albums and the solo albums: Still I Can’t Be Still, Here, I Stand, and her latest album Idina., which was released September 2016 on Warner Bros Records. marks Menzel’s first original studio album since 2008’s I Stand, and its first two singles “I See You” and “Queen of Swords” are available everywhere now. The album was met with rave reviews, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Holiday Albums chart and gave Menzel a Top 10 album on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

Menzel was previously seen on Broadway in the original production IF/THEN, for which she earned her third Tony nomination. “If/Then” which was followed by a nationwide tour. She also appeared as ‘Sheila’ in the Encores! production of “Hair” and starred as ‘Amneris’ in Broadway’s “Aida”. In London, she premiered the Broadway hit WICKED in the West End and received the Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She also starred in Michael John LaChiusa’s musical “See What I Wanna See.”
Philanthropy is also important to Menzel, who co-founded the A BroaderWay Foundation in 2010. The organization is dedicated to offering girls from underserved communities an outlet for self-expression and creativity through arts-centered programs. The emphasis is on building self-esteem, developing leadership qualities and striving for personal and social achievement.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.

27 Jul 2021
Television Permalink

Harry Friedman

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored prolific game show producer Harry Friedman with the 2,680th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, November 1, 2019.

“Harry Friedman’s work on game shows has entertained millions of people here and around the world,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We are excited that Harry chose this date to celebrate his amazing television career and happily have placed his star next to the Walk of Fame star of his friend and colleague, game show host, Pat Sajak!” added Martinez.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star Walk of Famers were Alex Trebek, Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

Long before student internships, Omaha native Harry Friedman began hanging around the city’s television stations, learning by watching and doing whatever management permitted.

In 1971, he arrived in Los Angeles and, without contacts, gave himself six months to find a job. With less than 24 hours remaining on his self-imposed deadline, he landed a part-time question-writer spot on “The Hollywood Squares,” marking the beginning of his long, valued relationship with Heatter-Quigley Productions. Over the following 11 years, Friedman wrote and produced thousands of episodes of the popular series and was also actively involved in the development of several other game shows. He first joined “Wheel of Fortune” as a producer in 1995, before adding producer duties for “JEOPARDY!” in 1997. In 1999, he was elevated to executive producer for both series, which are produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Harry has become the most decorated producer of game shows in history, having produced more than 6,270 hours of game shows for American television audiences. The majority of that tally comes from producing more than 9,500 episodes of the two most lasting and successful syndicated programs of all time: “Wheel of Fortune” and “JEOPARDY!”. Under his stewardship, the two programs have transcended the game show category and are among the most buzzworthy programs on television today.

Friedman is a multiple Emmy® Award winner who is the only producer to ever have won two Emmys in the same category in a tie with himself, a Peabody Award winner, and an inductee into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. He also has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Leading Wheel of Fortune and JEOPARDY! to win the industry’s highest honors has earned Friedman three Guinness World Records® titles: he holds the record titles for most Emmy® Award nominations for a game show producer with 48 and most Emmy® Award wins by a game show producer with 14. He was also recognized by Guinness World Records® for having produced more game show episodes than any other individual: 12,540 episodes and counting.

Friedman’s success is marked by his unique ability to maintain the tradition of the two long-running shows, while tweaking each just enough to keep them current and on the cutting edge. In September 2006, both shows made television history when they became the first syndicated programs to broadcast in High Definition. Friedman has also championed the development of Wheel of Fortune and JEOPARDY! extensions for mobile devices, along with versions for Amazon Echo, Facebook, as well as Nintendo and Sony PlayStation consoles.

A member of the Writers Guild of America-West and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Friedman lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Judy. Together, they are champions of philanthropy. The pair supports the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, Harry & Judy Friedman Family Foundation, Mark Corwin Memorial Film & Television Scholarship Fund, Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation, National Search Dog Foundation, and Omaha Children’s Hospital.

27 Jul 2021
Live Performance, Television Permalink

Guy Fieri

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored Real Deal Chef Guy Fieri with the 2,664th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Television, on May 22, 2019, in Los Angeles.

“A favorite saying of Guy Fieri’s, particularly when he is conveying how great a dish is on his Emmy Award-nominated series, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, is to declare something “off the hook!’ and that is how the Hollywood Walk of Fame feels about him, his creative talent with food and his presence in the television arena as a host and executive producer.  We have just a few television chefs on our historic stellar walk and we are so proud to add him to our mix of Walk of Fame stars” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “We’re ready to cook up some fun and bring Flavortown to Hollywood!” added Martinez.

Helping Emcee Leron Gubler, former President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star will be Walk of Famer Academy Award® winning actor Matthew McConaughey, Chief Lifestyle Brands Officer at Discovery, Kathleen Finch, and the honoree’s son, Hunter Fieri

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.

Guy Fieri, chef, restaurateur, New York Times bestselling-author, Emmy Award-winning television host and executive producer began his love affair with food at the age of ten, selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart he built with his father called “The Awesome Pretzel Cart.” After selling pretzels and washing dishes for six years, Guy earned enough money to pursue his dream of studying abroad as an exchange student in Chantilly, France. There he gained a profound appreciation for international cuisine that further strengthened his passion for food. He returned to the U.S. and graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a degree in Hospitality Management.

In 2006, Guy burst into the national scene when he won Food Network Star. Since that time, Guy has created a thriving culinary empire as the host and producer of top-rated TV shows including the long-running, five-time Emmy award-nominated Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives which airs on Food Network Fridays at 9pm and Guy’s Grocery Games airing Wednesdays at 9pm, Triple D Nation and Guy’s Ranch Kitchen (for which Guy earned a Daytime Emmy-nomination for Outstanding Culinary Host) and many more.

A prolific chef, he has opened over 63 restaurants around the world and at sea, from the Las Vegas strip to the Atlantic City boardwalk; from South Africa to Dubai; as well as authored six best-selling cookbooks.

In 2013, Guy fulfilled a personal passion with the launch of Hunt & Ryde Winery in Sonoma County, named for his two sons, Hunter and Ryder. He continues to support numerous charities including his own Cooking with Kids, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Best Buddies International.  He recently donated his time and efforts cooking for the first responders and displaced residents of the recent California fires.

 

27 Jul 2021
Live Performance Permalink

Guillermo del Toro

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that film director Guillermo del Toro was honored with the 2,669th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

“Guillermo del Toro is a director with one of the most creative and vivid imaginations. He has his pulse on a realm of fantasy that has captivated and astounded audiences!” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor him for his historic film work!” Martinez added.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star will be director J.J. Abrams and singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey.

Guillermo del Toro is among the most creative and visionary artists of his generation whose distinctive style is showcased through his work as a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and author. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, he first gained worldwide recognition for the 1993 Mexican American co-production “Cronos,” a supernatural horror film, which he directed from his own screenplay after beginning his career working as a special effects makeup artist. The film premiered at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Mercedes-Benz Award. It also won over 20 international awards and eight Ariel Awards from the Mexican Academy of Film, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, and the Golden Ariel.

Del Toro’s latest producing project is the CBS Films, eOne and Lionsgate feature “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” based on the books by Alvin Schwartz. André Øvredal directed the film which will be released in theaters everywhere August 9, 2019.

Through his overall deal with DreamWorks Animation, he has been an executive producer on the films “Kung Fu Panda 2 and 3,” “Puss in Boots 1 and 2” and “Rise of the Guardians.” He produced “The Book of Life,” for Fox Animation and ReelFX. His DreamWorks animated series “TrollHunters” is the most successful family series on Netflix. Under his overall deal with Fox Searchlight, he is currently producing “Antlers” (directed by Scott Cooper and starring Keri Russell. Del Toro’s next live action film is the period thriller “Nightmare Alley” which he will direct, produce and co-write for Searchlight. His most recent film, the contemporary fairy tale “The Shape of Water,” for Fox Searchlight, premiered at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion for Best Picture. It went on to win Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGA, PGA and Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Production Design.

Del Toro is also producing, co-writing and co-directing his stop motion adaptation of “Pinocchio” for Netflix Animation. His subsequent films include, “Mimic,” “The Devil’s Backbone,” “Blade II,” “Hellboy,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “Pacific Rim” and “Crimson Peak”. The filmmaker earned international acclaim as the director, writer and producer of the 2006 fantasy drama “Pan’s Labyrinth.” He was honored with an Oscar® nomination for his original screenplay for the film. The film won Academy Awards® for Art Direction, Cinematography, and Makeup. In all, the film garnered more than 40 international awards and appeared on more than 35 critics’ lists of the year’s best films. His most recent film, the contemporary fairy tale “The Shape of Water,” for Fox Searchlight, premiered at the 2017 Venice Film Festival, where it won the Golden Lion for Best Picture. It went on to win Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGA, PGA and Academy Awards®, including Oscars for Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Score and Best Production Design.

With novelist Chuck Hogan, the multi-hyphenate co-authored the vampire horror trilogy “The Strain” with all three books debuting as New York Times top-ten bestsellers. Del Toro and Hogan are also the creators of FX Networks’ hit series based on “The Strain” novels. Del Toro directed the opening episode and served as an Executive Producer on the series. Currently, he is also developing a series based on Naoki Urasawa’s acclaimed manga series “Monster” for Sony Television. He will also produce the horror anthology “Guillermo del Toro’s 10 After Midnight” for Netflix Television.

In 2013, Harper Design and Insight Editions published Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities, a lavishly illustrated book containing notes, drawings, and untold creatures from del Toro’s private journals and filmmaking diaries, with never-before-seen characters, art, and ideas of things to come. From this book, it was a natural progression to the unique art museum exhibition, GUILLERMO DEL TORO: AT HOME WITH MONSTERS, which appeared at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Del Toro is on the Board of Directors of The Hero Initiative which creates a financial safety net for comic creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. Since inception, the Hero Initiative has been fortunate enough to benefit creators with more than $1 million worth of much-needed aid.

27 Jul 2021
Motion Pictures Permalink

Anne Hathaway

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Oscar® winning actress Anne Hathaway was honored with the 2,663rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, May 9, 2019. The star was dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the historic TCL Chinese Theatre.

“Anne Hathaway is one of our most renowned and versatile actresses and we are so proud to welcome her to the Hollywood Walk of Fame” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies. “Her films are what dreams are made of and fans from around the world will be thrilled to see her star on our legendary sidewalk!” added Martinez.

Anne Hathaway is a native of New York and she first gained Hollywood’s attention for her turn in the television series, “Get Real”. She’s also had an equal measure of success with television voice-overs including Family Guy and the Simpsons, for which she received an Emmy® Award.
Anne was seen opposite Matthew McConaughey and Diane Lane in Serenity, as well as in the highly-regarded Warner Bros. Ocean’s Eight, opposite Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rihanna. Additionally, she has be seen starring opposite Ben Affleck and Willem Dafoe in the Dee Rees directed film The Last Thing He Wanted.

In 2012, Anne starred as “Fantine” in the musical phenomenon, Les Misérables, a role that garnered Academy, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards for “Best Supporting Actress”. In 2008, she was nominated for an Academy Award®, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for her performance in Jonathan Demme’s critically acclaimed Rachel Getting Married. The National Board of Review, Chicago Film Critics Association, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association all named Anne “Best Actress” in this role.

Additional film credits include Colossal, The Intern, Alice Through The Looking Glass, Alice In Wonderland, Interstellar, Don Peyote, Song One, Don Jon, The Dark Knight Rises, One Day, Rio, Valentine’s Day, Bride Wars, Passengers, Get Smart, Becoming Jane, The Devil Wears Prada, Brokeback Mountain, Havoc, Ella Enchanted, The Cat Returns, Nicholas Nickleby, The Other Side of Heaven, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and The Princess Diaries.

A veteran of the theatre, Hathaway appeared in the Lincoln Center Encore series presentation of Carnival, for which she won the prestigious 57th Annual Clarence Derwent Award. Additional theatre credits include Grounded (The Public Theatre), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare in the Park), and Woman In White (an Andrew Lloyd Webber’s workshop).

As an actress, Hathaway studied at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, Barrow Group in New York City, and at NYU’s Collaborative Arts Projects “Cap 21” where she focused on her musical theater training. In April 2005, Barrow Group honored Anne for her achievements on behalf of the organization as the first and only teen ever admitted to their intensive acting program.

Hathaway was appointed as UN Women’s Global Ambassador in 2016, where she works with the UN Women to foster more positive mindsets and practical arrangements around workplaces that build and support equality for women. She also serves on the advisory board for Lollipop Theater Network, which is an organization that screens movies in hospitals for pediatric patients suffering from chronic or life-threatening illness. She also recently began working at The Nike Foundation’s “Girl Effect”.


27 Jul 2021
Live Performance Permalink

F. Gary Gray

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is honored to present acclaimed Director F. Gary Gray with the 2,665th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. The has been dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures located at 6426 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Hollywood Suit Store.

“F. Gary Gray is a man with a mission. He is known as one of the industry’s most prolific and versatile directors known for pushing the envelope and delivering exciting content.” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “He is a great addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and we welcome him with open arms!” added Martinez.

Gary Gray, though a native of New York, was raised primarily in South Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Gray has excelled at bringing the most predominant themes from the pop culture zeitgeist to the screen. With more than 25 years in the industry, Gray has been able to consistently and successfully maneuver between genres ranging from Comedy to Thriller to Drama to Action. For this work, Gray received the prestigious “Excellence in the Arts Award” in 2017 from the American Black Film Festival. 

Gray’s films include “Law Abiding Citizen”, which starred Gerard Butler and Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx; “Be Cool”, based on Elmore Leonard’s best-selling novel and which starred Academy Award® nominees John Travolta and Uma Thurman; “The Italian Job”, a visually arresting thriller with an all-star cast, including Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron and Academy Award® nominee Mark Wahlberg; “A Man Apart”, which starred Vin Diesel; The Negotiator, which starred Academy Award® nominee Samuel L. Jackson; the award-winning heist picture “Set It Off”, with Jada Pinkett Smith and Academy Award® nominee and Golden Globe winner Queen Latifah; and “Friday”, which launched the extremely popular “Friday” film franchise that starred rapper/producer Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. His film, “Straight Outta Compton” made over $160 million at the domestic box office, making Gray the highest-grossing African-American director.

Gray directed the 8th installment of the “Fast and Furious” series (“The Fate of the Furious”) with Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jason Statham, Scott Eastwood, Kurt Russell, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.  Universal Pictures released the film in 2017 and was the No. 1 movie in the world at the domestic, international and global box office for two weeks.  It broke multiple box-office records including being the biggest global and international opening of all time with $542 million ($443.2 million international, $98.8 million domestic) and highest-grossing film from an African American director ever.  It has earned over $1.2 billion at the all-time worldwide box-office.

Away from the camera, Gray stays active in his community and has been an active supporter of numerous organizations, including the Tom Bradley Youth & Family Center, My Friend’s House Foundation and Urban Compass, among others.  He has received multiple commendations from the city of Los Angeles for his philanthropic work.  Gray also received the Presidents’ Lifetime Achievement award from the office of President Obama for his volunteer service.

 

27 Jul 2021
Recording Permalink

Cypress Hill

July 27, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored entertainers Cypress Hill with the 2,660th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, April 18, 2019. The star, dedicated in the category of Recording, was placed at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Green Leaf Restaurant at Eastown.

“We are proud to honor the first Latino American hip-hop recording group,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.” “They have been successful as a group for three decades and we know they will continue their success for many years to come,” added Martinez. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce members Green Leaf Restaurant created a special drink in honor of Cypress Hill called the Dr. Green Thumb Cocktail!

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star were actor George Lopez and Xzibit. Other celebrities on hand for the event included: Alchemist, Tommy Chong, Chuck D, Billy Graziadei, Electric Boots, DJ Lord, Tom Morellos and manyothers. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce which administers the popular star ceremonies encourages people who are unable to attend and fans around the world to watch the event exclusively on www.walkoffame.com.

Cypress Hill, comprised of B Real, Sen Dog, DJ Muggs, and Eric “Bobo” Correa, were the first Latino-American hip-hop group to have RIAA certified platinum and multi-platinum albums and are widely respected as one of the most important groups in hip-hop history.

In 1991, their self-titled debut album sold over 2 million copies. With their debut album still at the top of the charts, they became the first rap group to have 2 albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 at the same time when their second album, Black Sunday, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 in 1993 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The album went on to be certified triple platinum and features their hit “Insane in the Brain”, dubbed one of the “100 greatest Hip Hop songs” by VH1.

The Grammy nominated, group has gone on to sell over 18 million albums worldwide. Sampled by everyone from JAY-Z and the Black Eyed Peas to A$AP Rocky and Vic Mensa, Cypress Hill paved the way for contemporary artists like Luis Fosi and Cardi B.

The group recently released their ninth studio album, Elephants On Acid. Framed as a rap odyssey, the album takes listeners around the world and through other dimensions while preserving the dynamism for which the group became known.

Even with a relentless touring schedule, Cypress Hill have never forgotten their neighborhood of South Gate and continue to call Los Angeles home. They continue to support the community through scholarship programs and work with organizations like Guns for Goods, a gun buyback program to help get guns off the streets and away from the hands of children, the Wounded Heroes of America, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.