This Day in History: First star laid on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Nourhan SandoukSat, March 28, 2026 at 9:56 AM UTC

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On March 28, 1960, the first permanent star was laid on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This first star honored the legendary film producer and director Stanley Kramer and was placed near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Gower Street.

The idea for the Walk of Fame began in 1953. E.M. Stuart, who was the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce at the time. The purpose of the project, as Stuart said, is to “maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement.”

Some believe the concept originated at the Hollywood Hotel, which once featured stars on its dining room ceiling, painted with the names of famous celebrities. Others suggest it was inspired by a local restaurant’s menu that used gold stars to frame photos of famous patrons.

There is also a debate about who received the first star. This confusion exists because the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce installed a set of eight prototype stars in August 1958 to generate public interest and show what the project would look like.

Actress Joanne Woodward is known as the first recipient because she was the first celebrity to be photographed with her star. However, these were temporary. The official groundbreaking for the permanent Walk did not happen until February 8, 1960. Once construction was underway, Stanley Kramer’s star became the very first one to be permanently installed in the sidewalk on March 28.

Danny Zake / Flickr

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Stanley Kramer is known as a liberal icon and for producing socially conscious, message-driven films. He addressed difficult topics such as racial discrimination, fascism, nuclear war, and evolution in films such as The Defiant Ones (1958) and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (1967), and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961).

He is also credited with helping to launch the careers of iconic actors like Marlon Brando and Kirk Douglas.

Following the placement of Kramer’s star, the project moved quickly. By the spring of 1961, the initial phase was completed with 1,558 stars. Today, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and has grown to include over 2,700 stars. It remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles, stretching across 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street, continuing to honor those who have made significant contributions to the world of entertainment

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”