Source: Hollywood Today
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 6/21/07 — What do Angela Bassett, Christina Aguilera, The Muchkins, Tim Robbins, George Harrison and Vince McMahon have in common with each other? In 2008…plenty! As they will join the 2338 other celebrities that have been memorialized with their own stars set in stone on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The aforementioned all made the final cut as part of The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee’s just announced picks for next year.
And, these are just a few of the nineteen designated sidewalk stars for next year, according to Walk of Fame Chairman and unofficial Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, this elite group was chosen from a pool of hundreds of star-dusted nominees.
Although, the nineteen were technically ratified by the committee on June 8th, the announcement only became official today. In making public the chosen few, the perennial Grant said, “Today I am happy to announce an array of celebrities who have earned this recognition for a combination of professional achievement and community involvement.”
Created to in 1958 to give Hollywood a “makeover”, 1,558 stars were set in stone in the first sixteen months with Gene Autry named as the only recipient to get a star in all five categories.
Broken down into four categories, the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars for 2008 for Motion Pictures include Oscar winners; Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett and Tim Robbins, Spiderman’s best friend Stan Lee, makeup legends The Westmore’s of Hollywood and The Munchkins of Oz.
In the Television category, it’s newsman Bill Geist, “The Young and the Restless” 20-plus year veteran Kate Linder, comedian Howie Mandel, sitcom creator Sherwood Schwartz (Gillian’s Island, Brady Bunch), WWE wrestler promoter Vince McMahon, actress Susan St. James (McMillan & Wife) and the late actor Brian Keith (Family Affair).
For music the five recipients include: George Harrison (posthumous), Christina Aguilera, Brooks and Dunn, Ricky Martin and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) will take a star on the boulevard in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.
Although the actual dates for each individual star presentation has not yet been scheduled, the Chamber insists that people stay tuned for the upcoming star ceremonies.