13 Oct 2021
Recent ceremony, Television Permalink

Peter Roth

October 13, 2021

WHO:   Peter Roth

EMCEE: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Chair Nicole Mihalka

GUEST SPEAKERS: Ava DuVernay, Greg Berlanti and Chuck Lorre

WHAT:   Dedication of the 2,705th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Television

WHERE: 6918 Hollywood Boulevard  in front of the Line Friends Store

WHEN:    Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PDT  

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored television executive Peter Roth  with the 2,705th  star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, October 14, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star was  dedicated in the category of Television in front of the Line Friends Store and across the street from the iconic Chinese Theatre.

“Peter Roth is one of the most beloved television executives and has been involved in the successes of many stars and television shows through his 22 years of leadership at the Warner Bros. Television Group. We are thrilled to honor him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joining Emcee Nicole Mihalka, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star were Ava DuVernay, Greg Berlanti and Chuck Lorre.

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.

Peter Roth is a native of Larchmont, New York. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated cum laude from Tufts University in 1972.   After graduating, he began his television career in 1975, as the assistant to the head of television at Filmways Television. In 1976, he became Manager of Children’s Programs at ABC and went on to spend the next decade at the network where he rose to Vice President of Current Primetime Series, overseeing such classic shows as Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Moonlighting and Dynasty.

He went on to become President of Stephen J. Cannell Productions, where he was involved with the creation and sale of series such as 21 Jump Street and The Commish. In 1992, Roth was named President of Production, before becoming President of Twentieth Network Television (currently 20th Television) in 1993, where he oversaw the development and sales of The X Files, Picket Fences, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Practice and King of the Hill. He then made the jump to the Fox network in 1996 as President of Fox Entertainment, where was responsible for the development of the Emmy–winning Ally McBeal as well as That ’70s Show and Family Guy.

In 1999, Roth joined Warner Bros. Television where he remained for 22 years until he stepped down as Chairman of the Warner Bros. Television Group at the end of 2021. While leading Warner Bros. Television, Roth was responsible for signing exclusive overall deals with countless creators, including Chuck Lorre, Greg Berlanti, J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath’s Bad Robot Productions, Ava DuVernay, John Wells, Damon Lindelof, Mindy Kaling, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Elizabeth Banks, Bruno Heller, Michael Patrick King, Steve Molaro, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Bill Lawrence, Bryan Cranston, David Nutter, Rob Thomas, Matt Miller, and Robert Zemeckis, among others. During his more than two decades atop the studio’s independent television production business, 32 scripted primetime series reached the 100-episode milestone. Among them: The Big Bang Theory (279 episodes, the longest-running multicamera comedy in the history of television), Two and a Half Men, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, Gossip Girl, Shameless, Nip/Tuck, The Mentalist, Pretty Little Liars, Arrow, Mom, The Closer, Fringe, The Middle, George Lopez, The Flash, Mike & Molly, Person of Interest, Supernatural (327 episodes, the longest-running live-action fantasy series in American television history), Third Watch, The Vampire Diaries and One Tree Hill. The list of series and collaborators that Mr. Roth has been involved with is seemingly endless. 

Peter Roth has not only been a leader in the entertainment industry, he has also been passionately involved with the many charities including:  Autism Speaks, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, ETTA, and the Saban Community Clinic.

07 Oct 2021
Motion Pictures, Recent ceremony Permalink
Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig

October 7, 2021

Daniel CraigWHO:        Honoree: Daniel Craig

Emcee: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Chair Nicole Mihalka

Guest Speakers: Producers Michael G. Wilson, p.g.a., Barbara Broccoli, p.g.a., and actor Rami Malek

WHAT:      Dedication of the 2,704th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in  the Category of Motion Pictures

WHERE:  7007 Hollywood Boulevard

WHEN:      Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 6:30 P.M. PDT

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored actor Daniel Craig  with the 2,704th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 6:30 P.M. PDT. The star was dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard.

“Daniel Craig is a British cultural icon as is James Bond, the man he has portrayed in five 007 films.” We are thrilled to place his terrazzo Walk of Fame star next to the star of another famed actor who also portrayed James Bond, Roger Moore. Fans will be thrilled when they see that their stars are appropriately located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard!”  stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joining Emcee Nicole Mihalka, Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star were film producers Michael G. Wilson, p.g.a., Barbara Broccoli, p.g.a. and actor Rami Malek.  Finneas O’Connell who co-wrote the song “No Time To Die” was also on hand for the festivities.

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.

Daniel Craig is hailed as one of the finest actors of his generation on stage, screen and television.   Craig will next be seen in the critically acclaimed film No Time To Die from Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures, which will be released only in theaters on October 8th. Since his casting as James Bond, Craig has played the role in four films, No Time To Die marks his last time portraying the famous character. His other Bond films are Casino Royale, Quantum Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

Craig was most recently seen in Rian Johnson’s hugely successful film, Knives Out. A whodunit contemporary murder mystery, Daniel starred as “Benoit Blanc” alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans and Toni Colette. Craig’s standout performance earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. He will reprise his role for the sequel alongside a stellar cast including Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Henwick.

Craig’s other film credits include The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Road to Perdition, Logan Lucky, Enduring Love, The Mother,  Love and Rage, Obsession, The Power of One, Layer Cake, Infamous and Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film Munich.

Craig is also an accomplished stage actor and in 2013 starred in the critically-acclaimed Broadway show Betrayal, in which he starred opposite Rafe Spall and Rachel Weisz. Directed by Mike Nichols, the play ran for 14 weeks and grossed $17.5 million. Daniel’s most recent theatre venture was the off-Broadway production of Othello, alongside David Oyelowo and directed by Sam Gold, at the New York Theatre in Autumn 2016. 

In 2009 Craig starred in a twelve-week Broadway run of A Steady Rain.  Craig played opposite Hugh Jackman in this contemporary American play. Craig’s other theatre credits include leading roles in Hurlyburly with the Peter Hall Company at the Old Vic, Angels in America at The National Theatre and A Number at the Royal Court alongside Michael Gambon.

Daniel Craig will return to Broadway next spring in the starring role of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with Ruth Negga taking on Lady Macbeth in an all-new, 15-week production to be directed by Tony Award ® winner Sam Gold.

01 Oct 2021
Recent ceremony, Recording Permalink

Alejandro Sanz

October 1, 2021

Honoree: Alejandro Sanz

Emcee: Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Lupita Sanchez- Cornejo

Guest Speakers: Oscar nominated actress Yalitza Aparicio and Jody Gerson, Chair & CEO Universal Music Publishing Group  

WHAT:       Dedication of the 2,703rd Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Recording

WHERE: 1750 N. Vine Street in front of the iconic Capitol Records Building

WHEN:    Friday, October 1, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PDT

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honoored artist Alejandro Sanz with the 2,703rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, October 1, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star was dedicated in the category of Recording in front of Capitol Records, 1750 N. Vine Street.

“Alejandro Sanz is one of the world’s most talented singers. He has millions of fans worldwide who will be thrilled to be able to see his star in person when they visit their favorite artist commemorative star plaque in Hollywood!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joining Emcee Lupita Sanchez-Cornejo, Senior Vice Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star were Oscar nominated actress Yalitza Aparicio and Jody Gerson, Chair & CEO Universal Music Publishing Group.
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.
Alejandro Sanz is the Spanish artist with the most Grammy Awards in history, with a total of 4 and 25 Latin Grammys. In 2017, he was honored by the Latin Recording Academy as Person of the Year, in recognition of his career and significant philanthropic contributions.

From the days of his debut in 1991 (‘Viviendo Deprisa’), to his last work in 2019 (“#ElDisco”), Alejandro Sanz has released 18 albums, all certified multiple Platinum in Spain, Latin America and the United States. He is currently in the process of recording what will be his new studio album. He is also about to embark on the American leg of #LAGIRA, which will bring his spectacular show across 12 cities, beginning on October 8, in Rosemont, Illinois.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with different renowned artists from all over the world, including performers such as Alicia Keys, Shakira, Destiny’s Child, Camila Cabello, Laura Pausini, The Corrs, Ivete Sangalo, Emeli Sandé, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Fernández, Joaquin Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, Pablo Alborán, Niña Pastori, Judit Neddermann, Nicky Jam or the legendary Tony Bennett among many others

Sanz recently represented Europe at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with an emotional version of John Lennon’s “Imagine” originally written along with Yoko Ono Lennon.
Alejandro Sanz has also been acclaimed for his commendable involvement with non-governmental organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, Save The Children and Greenpeace.

30 Sep 2021
Recent ceremony, Recording Permalink
The Chi-Lites

The Chi-Lites

September 30, 2021

HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HONORED THE CHI-LITES WITH
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR

 

The Chi-LitesWHO: Honoree: The Chi-Lites
EMCEE: Hollywood Chamber Chair of the Board Nicole Mihalka
GUEST SPEAKERS:  Actor Jimmie Walker and radio personality Jeff Fox
WHAT:  Dedication of the 2,702nd Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Recording
WHERE: 7057 Hollywood Boulevard
WHEN: September 30, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PDT
The event was live-streamed exclusively on www.walkoffame.com

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored The Chi-Lites with the 2,702nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on today, September 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. PDT.

The star was dedicated in the category of Recording at 7057 Hollywood Boulevard near Sycamore Avenue.  The star was accepted by Marshall Thompson, the founder of The Chi-Lites who was joined by the current touring group: Tara Thompson, Fred Simon, Warren Tipton , and Mack Miller. Former original CHI-LITES, now deceased, Eugene Record, Robert Squirrel Lester, and Creadel Red Jones will also be remembered.

“We are taking it “Old School” with the iconic group, The Chi-Lites!” We take great pride in our Recording category and this is our chance to show off to the world the many musical legends that we honor on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Joining Hollywood Chair of the Board Nicole Mihalka in the festivities to unveil the star will be television personality Jimmie Walker and syndicated and Sirius/XM radio personality Jeff Fox.

The Chi-Lites History:
It started in 1959 when Marshall Thompson formed a vocal group called the “Hi-Lights” in his hometown of Chicago with fellow members Eugene Record, Robert Lester, and Creadel “Red” Jones.  After releasing several singles on local labels, the group changed their name in 1964 to “Marshall & The Chi-Lites”.  By the time the group changed their name to The Chi-Lites in 1969 they were signed by Nat Tarnopol and Carl Davis to Brunswick Records, where they would soon become international superstars.

Between 1969 and 1974, The Chi-Lites scored eleven Top Ten singles on the Billboard R&B charts, with hits like “Have You Seen Her,” “Give It Away,” “(For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People,” “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)”, “A Letter To Myself,” “The Coldest Days of My Life,” “Stoned Out Of My Mind,” “Oh Girl” and thirty-seven other Billboard charted singles throughout their career.  During the 1970s, The Chi-Lites were featured on television shows such as “Soul Train,” “American Bandstand,” “The Midnight Special,” “Sammy and Company,” the “BBC’s Top of the Pops,” and the very popular “Flip Wilson Show,” where they debuted their #1 pop smash “Oh Girl”.  All of The Chi-Lites’ hits were written or co-written by lead singer Eugene Record, who would also become Brunswick’s Vice President of A&R.

In 2000, BMI named “Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites the 36th most popular song of the 20th century.  That same year The Chi-Lites were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall Of Fame followed by their induction into Vocal Groups Hall Of Fame in 2004.  The Chi-Lites have also appeared on screen in the 1996 feature film “Original Gangsters” with Fred Williams, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree, as well as the 2003 docu-movie “Only The Strong Survive” by Miramax films.

Grammy-winning audio engineer Bruce Swedien insists that when he recorded Michael Jackson’s vocals for the “Off The Wall” and “Thriller” albums, he used the same techniques he developed with The Chi-Lites in the early 1970s.  In addition to being featured in many films, television shows and commercials, the recordings of The Chi-Lites have been sampled by artists such as Jay-Z, K. Michelle, “American Idol” winner Fantasia and Beyonce, who sampled The Chi-Lites to create the Grammy-winning smash “Crazy In Love”.   Chi-Lites music is currently featured in the MAC Cosmetics- Cruella campaign.

Over the decades, The CHI-LITES have supported Veterans Charities, Ronald McDonald House and UNICEF.

08 Sep 2021
Radio, Recent ceremony Permalink
Big Boy

Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander

September 8, 2021

Big BoyWHO: BIG BOY

EMCEE: Hollywood Chamber Chair of the Board Nicole Mihalka

GUEST SPEAKERS: Dr. Dre and George Lopez

WHAT:  Dedication of the 2,701st Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Radio

WHERE: 6212 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music

WHEN:  September 8, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PDT

The event will be live-streamed exclusively on www.walkoffame.com

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored award winning radio personality Kurt “Big Boy” Alexander with the 2,701st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star was dedicated in the category of Radio at 6212 Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music.

“Big Boy” is L.A.’s pride and joy and a hero to his listeners.” We are thrilled to honor him on his special birthday and welcome him to our Walk of Fame family,” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joining Hollywood Chair of the Board Nicole Mihalka in the festivities to unveil the star will be Dr. Dre and Walk of Famer George Lopez.

“Big Boy” was born in Chicago and moved to California at the age of two. He became acquainted with the music world while DJing parties. He soon became a bodyguard for a group called The Pharcyde. He became friends with the Baka Boyz, the morning show hosts at Power 106. Always a funny personality, he was offered a hosting position with the station, soon proving successful in night-time and afternoon hosting spots. However, his first big break onto the national spotlight was when he was hired to as the announcer on Vibe TV Talkshow, while simultaneously hosting his popular morning radio show on Power 106 and the rest is history. He continued with Power for just over 20 years.

“Big Boy” is The Voice of L.A. and the host of “Big Boy’s” Neighborhood,” mornings on iHeart Media’s Real 92.3 the home of Hip Hop music in Los Angeles.   He has dominated the ratings in all of the timeslots he has occupied ever since he first started his career in radio, from nights, afternoons and mornings.

His radio show and brand “Big Boy’s” Neighborhood” have continued to grow and is now airing in nationwide syndication on Premiere Radio Network and daily on FUSE television. His morning show is #1 rated and he has been recognized as Radio Music Awards’ Personality of the Year four times. He has also received the same honor eight times from Radio and Records Media. The National Association of Broadcasters has also recognized “Big Boy”s exceptional talent with the Marconi Award, a very rare three times and he is also an inductee to the Radio Hall of Fame.

“Big Boy” has made numerous cameos in movies such as Adam Sandler’s “The Longest Yard,” “Charlie’s Angels 2,” and he co-starred in “Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo.”  “Big Boy” has been featured on many television shows including a recurring role on CBS’s “The Talk,” “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” and “HBO’s Entourage.” He also debuted his own radio station in the wildly successful “Grand Theft Auto” video game as well as his YouTube channel, “BigBoyTV” with more than 100 million views. Big’s personal biography, “An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size” is available nationwide and speaks to the difficulties associated with his dramatic weight loss surgery.

Along with various other charity work, “Big Boy” also stepped up for his community during the COVID-19 pandemic, feeding hundreds of frontline essential workers at hospitals all over Los Angeles.

 

(478) Big Boy – Live Walk of Fame Ceremony – YouTube

16 Aug 2021
Recent ceremony, Recording Permalink
Don McLean

Don McLean

August 16, 2021

Don McLeanHONOREE: Don McLean

GUEST SPEAKERS:  ”Weird Al” Yankovic and guests.

WHAT: Dedication of the 2,700th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in  the Category of Recording

WHERE:   6300 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Pie Hole Shop

WHEN:  August 16, 2021 at 11:30 A.M. PDT

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that award winning performer Don McLean was honored with the 2,700star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star was dedicated in the category of Recording at 6300 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The Pie Hole Shop.

“Don McLean is part of our American music history and we are thrilled to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his iconic song “American Pie.”

Joining in the festivities to unveil the star was Walk of Famer “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and his smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) a top 5 song of the 20th Century.

A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. His catalog of songs has been recorded by Madonna, Garth Brooks, Josh Groban, Drake, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and countless others. In 2015, one of McLean’s four handwritten manuscripts of the lyrics to “American Pie” was auctioned by Christies, selling for just over $1.2 Million.  His song “And I Love You So” was the theme for Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s wedding.

2020 brought Don a new recording contract with Time Life which he released a catalog of recordings as well as a new album Still Playin’ Favorites. Now, in 2021 “American Pie” will be featured in the Avengers Black Widow and the Tom Hanks movie “BIOS”, Don will have children’s book released, and much more! And when you think things are slowing down, not so for Don McLean!

The Don McLean Foundation helps to fund various charities and most recently donated $10,000 to Veterans Count, a program of Easter Seals in Maine, supporting our military and their families. The foundation will be the recipient of all Don McLean assets upon his passing, with his home in Camden, Maine serving as the headquarters to present multiple events and programs. The foundation also sends students who cannot otherwise afford it to college. The Don McLean Foundation will continue to expand with creative leadership broadening its scope and impact.

12 Aug 2021
Television Permalink

Wendy Williams

August 12, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored talk show host Wendy Williams with the 2,677th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Television, on October 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star has been dedicated in the category of Television at 6533 Hollywood Boulevard.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star will be Walk of Famer will be producer Jack Abernathy and radio personality/Walk of Famer Elvis Duran.

Wendy Williams was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She is a media mogul, philanthropist, entrepreneur, performer and best-selling author, best known for her nationally syndicated talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. The show which is extended through 2022, has been nominated for multiple daytime Emmy awards, has memorabilia in the Smithsonian Museum, and is broadcast in more than 50 countries. The Wendy Williams Show is produced and distributed by Debmar-Mercury, and averages more than 1.6 million viewers an episode.

The show includes a diverse mix of interviews with celebrity guests from television, film, music, and sports. Both Wendy and the show have earned Daytime Emmy nominations for “Best Talk Show Host” and “Best Entertainment Talk Show.”

Prior to achieving success in daytime television, Williams built a devoted fan base throughout a successful 23-year career in radio, with “The Wendy Williams Experience,” a top-rated daily radio show. Syndicated nationally, it aired on WBLS in New York and was listened to by an audience of more than 12 million people. Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in November of 2009 – one of only a handful of women with that honor.

With TV, Broadway and film performances to her name, Williams is a seasoned performer, both as herself and in character. Her television credits include appearances on NBC’s 30 Rock as herself, competing on Season 12 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, hosting Game Show Network’s original series Love Triangle, and appearing as a featured guest on ABC’s One Life to Live and Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva. She also appeared in the major motion picture Think Like a Man, Think Like A Man Too, and took center stage as “Mama Morton” in the Tony-winning revival of the musical Chicago.

In the spring of 2014, Wendy released her seventh book and first romance novel, Hold Me in Contempt (Harper Collins). The book became a New York Times Best-Seller the first day of its release and sales continue to thrive among her fans.

In recent years, Wendy has also added fashion designer to her resume, becoming a #1 selling brand with HSN through her Wendy Williams collection.

Currently, Williams, with Lifetime Television, is developing and will executive produce a biopic and a documentary on her early days in urban radio to the success of her own syndicated talk show.

Williams is involved with the Hunter Foundation which she founded with her family, that works with charities that to improve the lives of children and families around the country. Her show also regularly develops segments to help those in need.

 

12 Aug 2021
Motion Pictures Permalink

Tyler Perry

August 12, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored movie mogul Tyler Perry with the 2,675th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Motion Pictures, on October 1, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star has been dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 7024 Hollywood Boulevard.

“Tyler Perry is a force in the entertainment world. Coming from a world of poverty and pushing his way to the top – his creative work has been an inspiration for many people. We are proud to honor him for his work and perseverance and welcome our newest Walk of Famer!” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star will be Walk of Famer will be actress Crystal Fox.

Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, Perry fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays, films, books and shows. His inspirational journey from the hard streets of New Orleans to the heights of Hollywood’s A-list is truly legendary.

In the year 2000, I Can Do Bad All By Myself marked the first appearance of the now-legendary Madea. The God-fearing, loud-mouthed grandmother, Madea, was played by Perry himself. Madea was such a resounding success, she soon spawned a series of plays – Madea’s Family Reunion (2002), Madea’s Class Reunion (2003), Madea Goes To Jail (2005) – and set the stage for Perry’s jump to the big screen.

In early 2005, Perry’s first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, debuted at number one nationwide. His ensuing 10 Madea films have all been met with massive commercial success, delighting audiences across America and around the world.

In 2007, Perry expanded his reach to television with the TBS series House of Payne, the highest-rated first-run syndicated cable show of all time, which went into syndication after only a year. His follow up effort, Meet the Browns, was the second highest debut ever on cable – after House of Payne.  In late 2012, Perry teamed up with Oprah Winfrey in an exclusive deal to bring scripted programming to her cable network, OWN, and launched with the half hour sitcom, Love Thy Neighbor, and the hour-long drama, The Haves and The Have Nots, which made its debut in 2013 and has continued to break ratings on the network.  In August 2016, Perry debuted a new drama series called Too Close to Home on TLC, the network’s first scripted series.  OWN recently premiered a House of Payne spinoff series, The Paynes, on the network in 2018. It was announced in July 2017 that Perry signed a multi-year content partnership with Viacom, in which he will produce original drama and comedy series across the Viacom networks, in addition to having a first-look feature film deal with Paramount Pictures group.

In the fall of 2008, Perry opened his 200,000 square foot Studio in Atlanta, situated on the former Delta Airlines campus in the Greenbriar area of southwest Atlanta. During the course of its operation, the space was home to production of over 15 films and over 800 episodes of Perry’s five television series. In 2015, TPS announced plans to expand operations with the acquisition of Fort McPherson, which sits on over 330 acres.  Perry and the studio’s Atlanta-based employees will remain in production of Perry’s five current television series, in addition to major feature films and television shows filming in Atlanta.

Production is already underway at the new studio, which will contain twelve soundstages ranging in size between 10,000 and 60,000 square feet. The grand opening for Tyler Perry Studios is set for October 5, 2019.

In 2016, Perry reprised the role of “Madea” in Lionsgate’s smash-hit Boo! A Madea Halloween, which spent two weeks at number one on the US box office.  The sequel to the film was released in October 2017 and took top spot at the box office on opening weekend.  In 2018 Perry also released Acrimony starring Taraji P. Henson with Lionsgate, and Nobody’s Fool starring Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, and Whoopi Goldberg with Paramount. On the silver screen, Perry most recently can be seen on Adam McKay’s Oscar-nominated film, VICE, about Dick Cheney, where he portrays “Colin Powell”. In March 2019, Perry also his newest movie with Lionsgate, A Madea Family Funeral, which brought his popular character back to the big screen for her final moment.

But listen to Tyler and you’ll hear a man who hasn’t forgotten about the people that have helped him reach the top of a mountain he could once only dream of climbing. Research into his history of philanthropic acts, and you’ll find that Tyler gives from a personal place, aiding people and charities that help others overcome the obstacles that he, too, once faced. And on a grand scale. He has been intimately involved and donated generously to civil rights causes through work with the NAACP and NAN. He also strongly supports charities that focus on helping the homeless, such as Global Medical Relief Fund, Charity Water, Feeding America, Covenant House, Hosea Feed the Hungry, Project Adventure, and Perry Place – a 20-home community that Perry built for survivors of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In January 2010, Perry pledged $1,000,000 via The Tyler Perry Foundation to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the earthquakes in Haiti and another $1,000,000 in 2017 to help Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. After Hurricane Maria, he personally sent a plane full of supplies to Puerto Rico and ensured the return was filled with a group of survivors. Perry did so again in September 2019 to help victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas.

 

12 Aug 2021
Recording Permalink

Tommy Mottola

August 12, 2021

WHO:         Honoree: Tommy Mottola

WHAT:       Dedication of the 2,676 Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in the Category of Recording

WHERE:    6270 Hollywood Boulevard

 WHEN:      October 10, 2019 at 11:30 A.M. PDT

 

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored music mogal Tommy Mottola with the 2,676th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Recording, on October 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star will be dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard, near the star of his wife, entertainer Thalia.

“Tommy Mottola is one of the most prolific music industry executives of our modern age,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Many of the artists he has worked with are Walk of Famers and now is his time to be honored with his own Walk of Fame star!” added Martinez.

Tommy Mottola, former Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment is one of the most influential executives in the history of the music industry. He currently heads the Mottola Media Group, a global media and entertainment company in New York City which includes live theater and television production. He is credited with discovering and guiding the careers of iconic artists such as Hall and Oates, Carly Simon, John Mellencamp, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion. If that weren’t enough, Mottola signed and developed Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony in what TIME Magazine called the “Latin Explosion” in 1999.

Starting as a musician and an Epic Records recording artist at the age of eighteen, He returned twenty years later to run that very company as Sony Music Entertainment’s global CEO. He revitalized Sony’s publishing division by acquiring the music catalogues of The Beatles and Michael Jackson, and enabling Sony to become one of the first major labels to implement commercial digital downloads. In his tenure, he is credited with tripling the company’s revenue, selling an estimated 8 billion CDs resulting in nearly 65 billion in sales and expanding Sony Music Entertainment’s operation to over 60 countries around the world.

Mottola was able to create new and successful business models such as amphitheaters in a co- venture with PACE Concerts and creating the world’s largest rock merchandising company, Sony Signatures, which today are all part of Live Nation Entertainment. He was instrumental in the inception and growth of SONY WONDER, a children’s label, forging partnerships with Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop.

He is a NY Times best-selling author for his memoir, “HITMAKER, the Man and His Music” (Hachette 2013). Tommy, more recently has produced Broadway’s smash-hit musicals, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, A Bronx Tale, Ground Hog Day, and Jersey Boys (off- Broadway), as well as the HBO documentaries, “The Latin Explosion” and “15: A Quinceanera Story.”

Mottola is very involved in philanthropy. He has given of his time to the following groups:

United Jewish Appeal, National Italian American Foundation, City of Hope, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum. TJ Martell Center for Cancer, Leukemia and AIDs. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.