The Hollywood Walk of Fame, a stretch of sidewalk that has become synonymous with the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry, has long stood as a testament to artistic achievement. The famed avenue bears more than 2700 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars, each one a permanent tribute to the luminaries of motion pictures, television, music, radio, and more recently, sports entertainment. Yet, amid the celebration of artistic success, lies a contentious issue: the refusal to remove stars of controversial figures from this hallowed pavement.
Despite the often tumultuous lives and careers of some entertainers, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has maintained a steadfast stance regarding the permanence of these stars. When questioned about the potential removal of stars associated with individuals who have fallen from grace, including those embroiled in sex scandals, Leron Gubler, the former Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, addressed the matter unequivocally. “The answer is no,” he stated. “The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a registered historic landmark. Once a star has been added to the Walk, it is considered a part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Because of this, we have never removed a star from the Walk.”
The policy has come under scrutiny on numerous occasions, with public figures such as former President Donald Trump’s star being a lightning rod for vandalism and calls for removal. Trump’s star, granted for his role on “The Apprentice,” has incurred over $20,000 in repairs due to repeated acts of vandalism. Yet, despite the tumult and public discourse, including a statement from current Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez describing Trump as “a racist, fascist, and a threat to our democracy. Since there’s no known precedent for removing a star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we’re looking into where the authority lies, what the legal issues may be, and what a process for it might look like.”
The reasons for maintaining the stars are manifold. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce claims it lacks the authority to remove a star permanently, citing that the Chamber is authorized by the city only to administer ceremonies, honor the recipient, and place the star, but does not possess the power to remove one. The stars are technically owned by the city and are considered part of the public domain, embedded into the sidewalks of Los Angeles.
There’s also the argument that the Walk of Fame serves as a historical record, not necessarily an endorsement of character or personal life decisions. Changing or removing a single star does not, according to the city Planning Department, constitute a significant alteration to the monument.
Relevant articles:
– Why won’t Hollywood remove the Walk of Fame stars of disgraced figures?，Thu 19 October 2023
– Nobody’s ever lost their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Will Trump be the first?，Dec. 27, 2023