The L.A. Times goes FAQ on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, asking and answering questions about the tourist attraction. Among the revelations: Clint Eastwood, Julia Roberts, Robert Redford, Howard Hughes, Mel Gibson, Jane Fonda and Francis Ford Coppola don't have a star.
Some other tidbits: The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the Walk of Fame, chooses one dozen to two dozen new star recipients a year.
Celebrities must agree to be nominated. Some, such as Julia Roberts, do not want to be on the Walk of Fame, said Mary Lou Dudas, selection committee member and a former A&M Records vice president. "They say, 'Why would I want my name on a sidewalk to be walked on?' But, on the other hand, it's something that is here to stay."
In some cases, celebrities are chosen but don't follow through. The cast-in-concrete rule is that the honoree, if still alive, must attend a dedication within five years. About 40 celebrities have been too busy to pick a dedication date.
Singer John Denver, who died in 1997, was selected in 1982 but never arranged to appear. Nor did singer Paul McCartney, who was chosen in 1993.
Some celebrities have more than one star. Director Alfred Hitchcock, for example, has two stars, one for his achievements in motion pictures and the other for his work in television. Gene Autry is the only person to have a star in each of the five categories.
The story doesn't mention the ongoing media blitz about attempts to get legendary KROQ DJ and "Mayor o the Sunset Strip" Rodney Bingenheimer a star.
Claude Brodesser's KCRW program "The Business" recently looked at the push to get some walk of fame love for Rodney. The problem? Apparently the panel making the selection, such as Hollywood "honorary mayor" Johnny Grant, had never heard of Rodney (glowing recommendations from the likes of Cher and Deborah Harry didn't matter). Rodney's supporters have another theory: KROQ morning men Kevin & Bean, who on air raised the $15,000 necessary for the star, regularly trash the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for awarding stars to KIIS' Ryan Seacrest and KOST's Mark & Kim.
Meanwhile, find a complete list of walk of fame stars -- including where to find them -- here.
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