Getting Your Own Star

Yesterday, LAist reported about Patty Duke getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After being out of the limelight for so long, some have wondered exactly how and why such valuable sidewalk assets are presented to stars of days gone by. And being a servant to the people of Los Angeles, LAist did our part to get to the bottom of the star-awarding process.

The process of getting your own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has, sadly, less to do with your historical contributions to the areas of film, TV or music — and more to do with if you have a current project in conjunction with a major media outlet that needs a good bunch of publicity. Since the celebrity recipient of a star on the Walk of Fame may not have (or be willing to pay) the $10-$15K fee necessary for such an honor, the bill (payable to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) must be picked up by someone else. Usually, that "someone else" ends up being said major media outlet.

Check the timing. This year alone, stars have been given out to people who were hocking their most recent projects from Halle Berry and Catwoman to Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and New York Minute to Glenn Close and The Stepford Wives. LAist wouldn't even be surprised to find out that Seth Green, in conjunction with Without A Paddle, isn't too far behind.

LAist, of course, doesn't mean to cheapen any individual stars' honors as displayed on Hollywood Boulevard — instead, we'd just like to point out that the honors displayed around town may not be, quite exactly, what they seem.

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Update: It has been brought to LAist's attention that Patty Duke's brand new Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, Murder Without Conviction airs September 5th. Coincidence, or perfect PR timing?