Eight Stars Launched Hollywood's Famous Walk in 1958

"The Hollywood Walk of Fame is the ultimate honor for a performer," Steve Carell declared during Jennifer Garner's 2018 ceremony. "Getting inducted into this exclusive group celebrates career excellence." Countless actors fantasize about earning their own star someday. For many, it represents the pinnacle of success, a permanent monument to years of dedication, tangible evidence that their work will endure forever.

Performers who receive this recognition often share Carell's perspective, especially those who witnessed the Walk's evolution from modest origins to Hollywood's most coveted symbol of achievement.

From Gravestones to Glory

Tim Burton reflected on this transformation during his own star ceremony. As a child, his dark imagination initially mistook the stars for tombstones marking deceased Hollywood icons. Eventually, he came to appreciate their true meaning, though for unexpected reasons.

"I used to visit the Larry Edmunds bookshop down here," Burton explained. "When I discovered my star would be placed right here, I nearly cried because I've been coming to this spot since childhood, and the store hasn't changed at all. Having my star in front of this incredible shop, museum, and toy store where I spent so much time means everything to me."

The Original Eight

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce volunteer E.M. Stuart conceived the Walk of Fame idea in 1953. He envisioned it as a way to preserve "the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world." After years of planning and preparation, the first eight stars were installed in 1958.

The inaugural honorees included Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, Ernest Torrence, and Joanne Woodward. Most people consider Woodward the first recipient, mainly because of a famous photograph showing her posing beside her star. All eight were actually installed simultaneously, though without the elaborate ceremonies we see today.

Modern Debates and Enduring Appeal

Since 1960, more than 2,800 individuals have joined the Walk of Fame. Like most film industry achievements, people question whether it maintains its original significance. Critics point to disparities between those with stars and equally deserving performers without them.

Despite the complex eligibility process requiring self-nomination and committee approval, the Walk remains a major Hollywood institution. Many now view ceremonies as opportunities for peers to honor each other, with speeches featuring humor and personal stories that add warmth to each celebration.