12 Aug 2021
Television Permalink

Terrence Howard

August 12, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored actor Terrence Howard with the 2,674th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Television, on September 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star will be dedicated in the category of Television at 6200 Hollywood Boulevard. On that same date, Howard’s hit show “Empire” premiered its 6th and final season on FOX.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actor Terrence Howard’s love for acting was sparked in summers spent with his great-grandmother, New York stage actress Minnie Gentry.  His first role was as Jackie Jackson in the television miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” which was quickly followed by several notable TV appearances on shows such as “Living Single” and “NYPD Blue.” He made his feature film debut in the 1993 movie “Who’s the Man?,”  In 1995, Howard was noticed for his role as a star high school athlete in “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” and soon after was offered a lead role in the television series “Sparks.”

In 1999, he was honored with the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination for his role as “Quentin” in “The Best Man.” He also won an NAACP Image Award in 2011 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for “Law and Order: Los Angeles.” He is perhaps best known for his Golden Globe®- and Academy Award®-nominated work in “Hustle & Flow,” as well as for his supporting role in the film “Crash,” for which he received a National Board of Review Award for Best Breakthrough Performance.  He won the 2015 BET Award for Best Actor for his role as “Lucious Lyon” on “Empire.”

In addition to Empire, Howard has been seen in “The Best Man Holiday”; “Prisoners,” with Hugh Jackman; “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”; “Dead Man Down”; Robert Redford’s “The Company You Keep”; “On the Road”; “Winnie” where Howard portrayed Nelson Mandela opposite Jennifer Hudson; “Valerie Flake”; “Best Laid Plans”; “August Rush”; “The Brave One”; and the Academy Award®-nominated “Ray.” In 2008, he made his Broadway debut in an all-African-American production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” A self-taught musician, Howard displayed his musical talents in “Ray” as Ray Charles’ one-time guitarist, Gossie McKee; and in “Hustle & Flow,” as the rapper “Djay,” in which he performed all the tracks for his character, including “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” which won the Academy Award® for Best Original Song.

Howard’s charity endeavors include work with Stand Up to Cancer as an Ambassador for the group and he has been featured in a Colon Cancer Awareness PSA.

12 Aug 2021
Live Performance, Recording Permalink

Teddy Riley

August 12, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored recording artist / music producer Teddy Riley with the 2,670th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Recording, on August 16, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star has been dedicated in the category of Recording at 6405 Hollywood Boulevard.

For more than 30 years, Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum music icon Teddy Riley has embodied the spirit of innovation and ingenuity as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, composer, arranger, engineer and all-around trailblazer. With more than 1,000 credits to his name, the legendary Riley has amassed a host of awards and accolades throughout his storied career for his incredibly vast contributions to music, which include being credited as the creator of New Jack Swing, the groundbreaking genre that re-defined the musical landscape of the 1980s and 90s.

Recognized as a child prodigy, Harlem native Teddy Riley began his musical journey playing multiple instruments at his home church at the tender age of five-years old. By the age of 14, Riley’s gifts were leading him toward music production, and he was spending most of his time crafting beats for local New York rappers in a studio within his uncle’s famed Harlem-based nightclub – The Rooftop. Under the tutelage of local music producer Gene Griffin, Riley soon formed his first group, the short-lived Kids at Work but it was his work as a producer that provided his first big break.  In 1985, the precocious young talent co-produced Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew’s classic “The Show” and then, at the age of 17, he produced rapper Kool Moe Dee’s single, “Go See the Doctor,” which became a mainstream hit, reaching #89 on The Billboard Hot 100.

With his songwriting and production work for other artists, Riley was fast building a name for himself and was introducing a new sound fusing hip hop and R&B music that would become known as New Jack Swing. On November 25, 1987, he co-produced R&B singer Keith Sweat’s debut solo studio album titled, “Make It Last Forever”, which went on to sell three million copies. One the biggest hit singles from this album, “I Want Her” (#1 R&B/#5 Pop), ultimately ushered in the New Jack Swing era.

Also in 1987, Riley brought his much sought-after talents in-house when he, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling formed the R&B group Guy. Riley’s work with Guy firmly cemented the New Jack Swing sound in popular culture as he infused his own unique blend of Hip Hop beats and R&B progressions with the Gospel vocal stylings of Hall to create this fresh fusion of musical styles on Guy’s eponymous debut in 1988. The following year, Riley, who was also still in high demand as a producer, produced Big Daddy Kane’s classic “I Get The Job Done”, as well as other work for The Jacksons, The Winans, James Ingram and the majorly successful remix of Jane Child’s crossover hit “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love”.

In 1992, Riley began to turn his focus to his hip-hop group Wreck-N-Effect’s and their second album Hard or Smooth. Based in Virginia by this time, Riley discovered and signed production duo, The Neptunes (composed of then fledgling producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo), during the making of Wreck-N-Effect’s smash hit single “Rump Shaker”.

In late 1991, Riley formed another group – Blackstreet. A few years later, they would go on to release several major hits including “Don’t Leave Me” (1997), “Girlfriend/Boyfriend” (1999), with Janet Jackson, Eve, and Ja Rule and, of course, the Grammy-winning indelible classic “No Diggity” (1996, featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen), which reached number #1 on The Billboard Hot 100.

Riley’s illustrious catalogue encompasses a massive list of timeless hits that he has composed, produced and/or written including: Guy (“Groove Me”, “Let’s Chill”, “I Like,” “Teddy’s Jam”); Johnny Kemp (“Just Got Paid”); Bobby Brown (My Prerogative); Heavy D (“Now that We Found Love”); High Five (“The Kissing Game”); The Winans (“It’s Time”).

Most recently, Riley has been inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame and bestowed with the Soul Train Legend Award.

Riley’s charity work involvement is with Real Talk Youth Impact.

12 Aug 2021
Television Permalink

Seth MacFarlane

August 12, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored entertainer Seth MacFarlane with the 2,661st Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the category of Television, on April 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star has been dedicated in the category of Television at 6259 Hollywood Boulevard.

“Seth MacFarlane is a creative force. He has his finger on the pulse of many genre’s of the entertainment world and we are proud to honor him for his work in television, film, music and much more!” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We are proud to add this “Family Guy” to our Walk of Fame family,” added Martinez.

Seth MacFarlane is a native of Kent, Connecticut. He studied animation and design at the Rhode Island School of Design. At 24, he became the youngest showrunner in television history when his animated series “Family Guy” aired on FOX. Gearing up for its 18th season, “Family Guy” has garnered MacFarlane numerous nominations and four Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Voice-Over Performance” and “Outstanding Music and Lyrics.” In addition to “Family Guy,” MacFarlane serves as co-creator, executive producer and voice actor on “American Dad!,” which is currently airing its 13th season. He also executive produced the 21st century version of “Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey” for FOX and National Geographic. The show was seen by more than 135 million people worldwide and received 13 Emmy nominations. MacFarlane is currently executive producing the next installment of the series, “Cosmos: Possible Worlds.” MacFarlane recently created, executive produces and stars in the live-action, one-hour space adventure series, “The Orville,” which is set 400 years in the future and follows The U.S.S. Orville, a mid-level exploratory spaceship. The series, which MacFarlane produces under his Fuzzy Door banner, premiered in 2017 to over 14 million viewers across all platforms. The show premiered its second season in December 2018 and currently holds an unheard of 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

MacFarlane made his feature film directorial debut in 2012 with the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy film of all time, TED. MacFarlane’s star is near the star of his co-star and fellow Walk of Famer Mrk Wahlberg. This buddy comedy starred Wahlberg and MacFarlane as the voice of the lovable foul-mouthed teddy bear. The film made over $545 million worldwide and was co-written and produced by MacFarlane. Fresh off the success of TED and hosting “Saturday Night Live,” MacFarlane hosted the 85th Academy Awards in 2013 and was also nominated that same year for “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” for “Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from TED. Due to its great success and cult following, the highly anticipated sequel, TED 2, was released in 2015. In between both TED films, Universal released MacFarlane’s western-comedy “A Million Ways to Die in the West”, which he wrote, produced, directed and starred in with an ensemble cast that included Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried and Neil Patrick Harris. Up next, MacFarlane’s Fuzzy door is Universal’s upcoming female ensemble comedy “Fairy Tale Ending” starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer.

As an actor, MacFarlane voiced “Mike,” a small mouse with a big Sinatra-esque voice, in Illumination Entertainment’s 2016 animated musical family comedy “Sing”. He also made an unrecognizable appearance in Steven Soderbergh’s heist film “Logan Lucky,” which was released in August 2017. MacFarlane is currently in production on Showtime’s upcoming eight-episode limited series “The Loudest Voice” about Fox News founder Roger Ailes. He will portray Brian Lewis, Fox News’ former public relations chief for more than 17 years and Ailes’ closest confidant and supporter. The series, also starring Russell Crowe, Sienna Miller and Annabelle Wallis, is based on Gabriel Sherman’s bestselling book of a similar name, The Loudest Voice in the Room.

MacFarlane’s debut album of standards “Music is Better Than Words” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart in 2011 and went on to receive four Grammy nominations, including “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.” His 2014 first-ever Christmas set, “Holiday for Swing,” also debuted at No. 1 and was followed by “No One Ever Tells You,” another iTunes chart topper, and “In Full Swing,” his first No.1 Traditional Jazz album, garnering him two more Grammy nominations. MacFarlane is gearing up to release his fifth album “Once In A While,” which is a collection of wistful, pensive songs that deal with longing, lost love and sadness infused with fond recollection and a hint of hope. He has performed with composer John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl, duetted with Barbra Streisand on “Pure Imagination” for “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway” and joined numerous celebrated symphonies including Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

MacFarlane created The Seth MacFarlane Foundation to focus his charitable efforts. As an advocate for science, he funded the Seth MacFarlane collection of the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan archive at the Library of Congress. He also executive produced the climate change documentary inspired by the nonfiction bestseller by Naomi Klein, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING. The film shot in nine countries over four years, bringing awareness to the insurmountable issue of global warming and the economic systems that facilitate it. Through his foundation, MacFarlane continues to be an avid supporter of science communication, cancer research, The Human Rights Campaign, Oceana, the People of the American Way, Chrysalis, Perry’s Place and National Public Radio (NPR). Last year, in support of NPR’s mission to create a more informed public and strengthen democracy, MacFarlane made a $2 million donation to NPR and a $500,000 donation to Los Angeles’ NPR membership station, KPCC, the top news distribution for NPR content in Southern California.

10 Aug 2021
Motion Pictures Permalink

Rita Wilson

August 10, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce proudly honored Rita Wilson   with the 2,659th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, March 29, 2019. PDT. The star was dedicated in the category of Motion Pictures at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard, adjacent to the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

“Rita Wilson is one of Hollywood’s most beloved entertainers. As a matter of fact she is a Hollywood native and grew up in this town!” stated Ana Martinez, Producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies.  “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to have her join our Walk of Fame family” added Martinez.

Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, to unveil the star will be Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.  Celebrities in attendance included: Larry David, Martin Short and Nia Vardalos to name a few.

Rita Wilson is a multi-talented actress, producer, and singer/songwriter.  A native of Hollywood, California, Wilson’s illustrious career on screen started with her role on the beloved series, The Brady Bunch, where she earned entry to the Screen Actors Guild.  Her additional early TV appearances were on such staples as M*A*S*H, Three’s Company, Happy Days, Hawaii Five-O, Moonlighting, Frasier and more.  She also appeared on the Emmy-Award winning series From The Earth To The Moon, followed by recent stints on such acclaimed series as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Girls and The Good Wife among others.

Rita is currently appearing in the American remake of the feature film Gloria Bell from Academy Award-winning director Sebastian Lelio, starring Academy Award-winner Julianne Moore and Jon Turturro.

Audiences will never forget her in Nora Ephron’s Sleepless in Seattle (with the unforgettable scene referencing An Affair to Remember).  Rita has appeared with some of the finest actors of her generation in such films as It’s Complicated, Mixed Nuts, Now and Then, That Thing You Do!, Jingle All The Way, Psycho, Runaway Bride, Invisible Child, The Story of Us, Auto Focus, Raise Your Voice, The Chumscrubber, Beautiful, Ohio, My Life in Ruins and  Old Dogs.  Additional recent film work includes wrapping production on the independent film, Emmett for which she also contributed an original song.  Rita also stars in the upcoming film Simple Wedding which made its premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival in September 2018.  Rita also co-wrote and sang the end-credits song, “Heart Unknown” for Simple Wedding.

She first donned her producers cap for the record-breaking box-office hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and returned as a producer and actor in its sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, released in 2016. Additionally, Rita co-wrote and performed Even More Mine, the song which plays over the film’s credits. Wilson, the driving force behind bringing Nia Vardalos’ semi-autobiographical story to the screen with Vardalos as the lead, was honored with the Producer’s Guild of America’s Visionary Award, the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedy, as well as receiving Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Rita’s instincts proved solid once again when she saw the theatrical production of Mamma Mia! in London shortly after it opened. Rita’s love of ABBA’s music led her to secure the rights and develop the 2008 Universal hit starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. Wilson served as an Executive Producer for its sequel, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! released on July 20, 2018 by Universal Pictures.

Music has always also been one of Rita’s passions.  Her new album, Halfway to Home was also released, making for a notable day along with her honor on the Walk of Fame. Halfway to Home blends Southern California rock with Nashville country and was largely recorded in Nashville.  The first single, “Throw Me A Party,” is available now and was exclusively premiered by Rolling Stone who called the track, “evocative.”

Halfway to Home follows Rita’s acclaimed album Bigger Picture released in fall of 2018, which saw her expand on her gifts as a prolific storyteller.  Shortly after its release, Rita made her debut at the historic Grand Ole Opry, and also presented at the 52nd Annual CMA Awards.

Her previous album releases include her debut AM/FM (2012), an elegant and beautifully sung collection of covers of her favorite songs from the ‘60s and ’70s, and her self-titled second album, Rita Wilson (2016), which showcased her songwriting talents through eloquent singer-songwriter pop music etched with stunning honesty. The New York Times declared “Ms. Wilson has a catch in her voice that conveys yearning and potential heartbreak behind a facade of cheer,” while Billboard commented she is “growing even more comfortable as a songwriter.”

Rita has toured extensively; in addition to her own headlining shows she toured with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band CHICAGO in 2015 and created Liner Notes: Songwriters, Stories and Music, in which she is joined by special guests for an evening of songwriters performing and sharing the stories behind their songs.  The show has been performed in such famed venues as the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, the Bluebird Café in Nashville and the iconic Café Carlyle in New York City multiple times.  For her LA performances of Liner Notes, Rita won the Broadway World Award for Best Female Cabaret – Large Venue.

Her theater credits include her starring Broadway debut role as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago and Larry David’s hit Broadway original comedy Fish in the Dark.  She has also appeared in the New York and Los Angeles stage productions of Love, Loss & What I Wore, written by Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron, Lisa Loomer’s world premiere Distracted, and the Pulitzer-Prize winning Dinner With Friends, directed by Tony winner Dan Sullivan. Rita continues to work with the Shakespeare Festival/LA, a charity that provides free Shakespeare to the citizens of LA, as well as providing a program for youths in the community.

For more than twenty years she and her husband, Tom Hanks, along with Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg have raised 75 million dollars for women’s cancer research through the Women’s Cancer Research Fund.  And along with Hanks, Rita has also helped raise funds for the WWII Memorial in Washington DC, The National WWII Museum in New Orleans and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles opening in 2019.

 

05 Aug 2021
Live Performance Permalink

Lucy Liu

August 5, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored actress Lucy Liu with the 2,662nd Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the category of Television, on May 1, 2019, in Los Angeles.

“We are excited to honor Lucy Liu and we placed her star next to the star of Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American actress to grace Hollywood’s film screens. When we place Walk of Fame stars, we love to juxtapose Hollywood’s golden age icons with the role models who represent the exciting shifts taking place in the film industry whenever we can,” 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 Demi Moore and Rhea Perlman.

Lucy Liu is a critically acclaimed actress who has starred in film, television and on Broadway.
For seven seasons, Liu co-starred in the highly praised drama series “Elementary” on CBS as “Dr. Joan Watson” alongside Jonny Lee Miller’s “Sherlock Holmes”. In 2013, Liu’s portrayal of Watson earned her a Teen Choice Award and can also be seen on Hulu’s “Difficult People.”

Her portrayal of “Officer Jessica Tang” on the critically acclaimed series, “Southland” won a 2012 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series and a 2013 NAACP nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Liu also appeared as the unforgettable “Ling Woo” in the hit Fox series, “Ally McBeal,” a role for which she earned an Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She has also appeared in starring roles on the hit series “Cashmere Mafia” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” She will next star in the dark comedy series, “Why Women Kill,” created by Marc Cherry and set to begin filming this spring. The show will examine how the roles of women have changed over the course of many decades, but how their reaction to betrayal has not.

Liu also stars in the Netflix rom-com hit film, “Set It Up,” co-starring Taye Diggs, Glenn Powell and Zoey Deutch, directed by Claire Scanlon. Her previous films include: “Charlie’s Angels,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “Kill Bill,” “Chicago,” “Lucky Number Slevin,” “The Man with the Iron Fists,” “Detachment,” “East Fifth Bliss,” “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You” and many others.

Liu voices the role of Lady Sagami in the 2015 Academy Award® Nominated film “The Tale of The Princess Kaguya,” produced by Frank Marshall and directed by Jamie Simone from an adaptation by Mike Jones. Variety calls the film a “visionary tour de force”. Liu is also the voice of “Viper” in the trilogy for Paramount’s animated smash hit “Kung Fu Panda” and as “Silvermist” in Tinkerbell’s “Legend of the Neverbeast.”

Off the screen, Liu is a talented director and producer as well. Her directing work for “Elementary” has led her to directing for other series, including the Season 2 Premiere episode of Netflix and Marvel’s “Luke Cage,” USA drama “Graceland”, “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Why Women Kill.” She has produced the critically acclaimed film “Freedom’s Fury”, the short documentary, “Redlight” as well as co-directed and produced, a short docu-drama, “Meena,” based on a chapter from the New York Times bestseller, “Half the Sky” by authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.

In 2006, Liu was awarded a Women’s World Award for her outstanding humanitarian work, presented to her by former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and sponsored by the World Award organization headed by former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev. Other recognitions of her humanitarian work include the 2008 Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award and the 2016 Harvard Artist of the Year Award, given by the Harvard Foundation for her involvement with UNICEF and her body of work. Liu is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Additional accolades honoring her work include a 2012 New York Women in Film & Television Muse Award, the prestigious Best Drama Actress Award at the Seoul International Drama Awards, and three People’s Choice Award nominations.

05 Aug 2021
Motion Pictures Permalink

Kenny Ortega

August 5, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored acclaimed producer and choreographer Kenny Ortega with the 2,667th Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Motion Pictures, on July 24, 2019, in Los Angeles at 6243 Hollywood Boulevard next to the historic Pantages Theatre.

“Kenny Ortega has been part of the history of films and television that many fans have grown up with and those same fans have children that continue to enjoy his work and will continue pass on the love of his films for generations to come!” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Kenny Ortega is a multi-award-winning director, choreographer, and producer. He was born in Palo Alto, California, the son of Madeline, a waitress, and Octavio “Tibby” Ortega, a factory worker.

Initially, Ortega came out of the San Francisco Arts scene, working with the Tubes. In 1979, Ortega was contracted to work with KISS on their Dynasty Tour. He became more recognized after working with dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly on the film Xanadu, Ortega went on to choreograph the dance for the Menudo video “Hold Me”, as well as the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, and has won awards for choreography in music videos, such as Madonna’s “Material Girl”. He also worked with The Tubes on their stage shows and directed the video for “She’s a Beauty”, as well as the choreography for Styx’s “Mr. Roboto” video.

In 2002, Ortega was honored with Directing and Choreography Emmy awards for his work as supervising chorographer and co-artistic director of the Salt Lake Olympic Ceremonies and in 1996, earned an Emmy and American Choreography award for for the Atlanta Olympic Ceremonies.
One of the top creatives in television and film today, Ortega is known for the “High School Musical” franchise, which earned him a Primetime Emmy and Directors Guild of America Award. He is also the executive producer for the film’s multi-platinum soundtracks. In 2008, Ortega directed and executive produced “High School Musical 3: Senior Year (HSM 3)” for Walt Disney Motion Pictures. “HSM 3” was the biggest theatrical box office opening for a musical in history.

Widely acclaimed for his genre-bending work in musicals, drama, comedy, and family programs, Ortega has directed and/or choreographed international phenomenon’s including the “Descendants” trilogy, “Newsies,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Pretty in Pink,” among others.

Recently, Ortega directed “Descendants 3,” the third installment of the widely successful Disney Channel trilogy which will be released Friday, August 2nd. His other work includes “A Change of Heart” (winner of the OUTshine Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature),“The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” for FOX (which premiered during Halloween 2016), and The Hocus Pocus 25th Anniversary Special for Freeform.

Ortega has also received The Fred & Adele Astaire Lifetime Achievement Award, The Bob Fosse Award, an American Choreography Lifetime Achievement Award, an MTV Video Music Award, an American Music Award, Billboard Award, and an NAACP Image Award, among others.

Ortega is involved with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

04 Aug 2021
Live Performance Permalink

Judith Light

August 4, 2021

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has honored actress Judith Light with the 2,673rd Star on the World Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Category of Live Theatre / Live Performance, on September 12, 2019, in Los Angeles. The star has been dedicated in the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance at 6200 Hollywood Boulevard.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that award winning actress Judith Light will be honored with the 2,673rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, September 12, at 11:30 a.m. PDT. The star will be dedicated in the category of Live Theatre/Live Performance at 6200 Hollywood Boulevard.

“Judith Light is a triple threat, well known for her extensive body of work on stage, film and television,” said Ana Martinez, Producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She will bring a special ‘light’ to the Walk of Fame!” added Martinez.
Helping Emcee Rana Ghadban, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to unveil the star was Walk of Famer America Ferrara, Jill Soloway, Daryl Roth and Bernie Telsey.

Judith Light was born in Trenton, New Jersey and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Drama. She later went on to make her Broadway debut in the 1975 revival of A Doll’s House. Her breakthrough role was in the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1977 to 1983, where she played the role of Karen Wolek. For this role, she won two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her other television work includes: “Ugly Betty,” (Emmy Nomination), “Law and Order, SVU”, “Dallas,” and “Who’s the Boss.”

She received her first Tony Award nomination in 2011, for her performance in the original Broadway play Lombardi. In 2012 and 2013, Light won two consecutive Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play, for her performances in Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties. From 2013 to 2014, Light played the role of villainous Judith Brown Ryland in the TNT drama series, Dallas.

This fall she stars with Bette Midler and Ben Platt in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series The Politician which will be released on September 27. Judith will also star in the final season of Transparent, Amazon Prime’s Golden Globe–winning series, created by Jill Soloway, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Emmy and Critics’ Choice nominations. The show will also be released September 27. Last year, her role in Ryan Murphy’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story garnered her an Emmy nomination and a Critics Choice nomination. Light was honored with the 2019 Isabelle Stevenson Award for her extensive philanthropy work; she has been an impassioned advocate to end HIV/Aids and is a champion for LGBTQ and human rights and supports organizations such as Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, among many others. She is on the Board of Directors of the MCC Theatre in NYC.

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.