No Star Deficit in Hollywood

Mon., Jun. 27, 2005 5:15 PM PDT by Charlie Amter

Hollywood still has plenty of stars for its Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced the latest bunch of celebs set to be immortalized on the Hollywood Boulevard sidewalk next year. The class of 2006 is led by wild and crazy guy Steve Martin and Ferris Bueller himself, Matthew Broderick.

Other film actors set to be honored: Oscar winners Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Charlize Theron, Golden Globe winner Annette Bening and Broderick's Producers partner Nathan Lane.

Among the televisions types to be toasted: Emmy-winning funnyman Ray Romano, letter-twirling legend Vanna White, feisty Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin), Deadwood and NYPD Blue mastermind David Milch, Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osbourne and veteran L.A. sportscaster Jim Hill.

The musical acts making the cut are hard-rocking Hollywood club fixture Mötley Crüe, R&B legend Isaac Hayes, legendary music exec Lou Adler and Mexican artist Alejandro Fernandez.

The list of new honorees also includes Borscht Belt comic Shecky Greene and magic mavens Milt and Bill Larsen, who run Hollywood's famed Magic Castle, in the live theater/live performance category; and talk-show host Dan Avey, deejays Mark & Kim and radio personality (and former game-show host) Wink Martindale will be recognized for their AM/FM contributions. Actor Jack Cassidy and ABC founder Leonard Goldenson will be honored posthumously.

"Each name on this list will bring much happiness to our residents and tourists from around the world," says Johnny Grant, the honorary mayor of Hollywood. "Their installation ceremonies and permanent memorializing on the Walk of Fame will generate excitement for all visiting this iconic landmark."

No specific dates for the star unveilings have been announced. The ceremonies are usually pinned to a public-relations event or special anniversary. If living, honorees are required to appear at the ceremony.

The honorees were culled from more than 200 nominations, with final selections ratified by the chamber's board of directors. Final approval comes from the Los Angeles City Council.

Some 2,200 stars line Hollywood Boulevard, with additional stars on Vine Street.

When the Walk of Fame began in 1960s, the intial batch of honorees received their stars gratis; but since the 1980s there have been nominal fees imposed by the Chamber of Commerce to help offset costs of installation and maintenance of the pink terrazzo and brass plaques. It now costs $15,000 for a star, with the cost usually footed by fan clubs and movie studios.

In recent weeks, Renée Zellweger, record producer Emilio Estefan and all-thumbs movie critic Roger Ebert were given the sidewalk treatment.