Don DeFore

This gentleman received a star for his work in television. It is located near the southwest corner of Hollywood and Highland. Living from 1913 to 1993, DeFore made a name for himself, first in film, then on television. Hailing from Iowa, he moved to Los Angeles and spent three years at the Pasadena Playhouse perfecting his craft. He went on to perform in various live productions the numerous films. Best known for his role as the friendly neighbor "Thorny" on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," DeFore was nominated for a Primetime Emmy. The awards show for which he later served as president. DeFore ran a restaurant for 5 years in Frontierland, Disney. He was a Republican Delegate in 1980. He co-wrote a book with his daughter about her time working with orphans in Korea and he was appointed by President Reagan as a Peace Corps Advisor. He was also a 33rd degree Freemason, whatever that means.

Buddy Clark

Buddy Clark earned a star for his work in the recording realm. It is located near the southwest corner of Hollywood and Highland. Buddy Clark was one of the nation's most treasured crooners. His career spanned the 3rd and 4th decade of the 20th century. Born in 1912, Samuel Goldberg in Dorchester, Massachusets, he made his big band start as a tenor in 1932. This was not advantageous to his trajectory but, as he transitioned to baritone, he found greater success. His biggest hit was the song "Linda". This song was essentially commissioned by a show business lawyer for his 6 year old daughter Linda. She later achieved fame singing in the group "Wings" and was married to Paul McCartney. Clark served in the military during world war II. Clark died tragically in a plane crash on Beverly Boulevard in West Hollywood in 1949. Her is Buddy Clark's famous song "Linda" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynyn3UQPlWU

Richard Widmark

A recipient of a star for achievements in film, Richard Widmark can be found on the southwest corner of Hollywood and Highland. Hey, this guy is a Minnesota native, like myself. He was born in the sunrise township of Minnesota in 1914. After moving with his family to Illinois, Widmark attended Lake Forest College and first studied then taught acting. He made a name for himself as a radio actor. He stared in numerous radio projects through the 1940's. Widmark broke on the film scene as a villainous sociopath in the 1947 film "Kiss of Death". He was nominated for the academy award for best supporting actor and was awarded the Golden Globe for best newcomer. He played the villain in a few other follow up films before moving into heroic roles as the 1940's faded. Widmark continued to play heroes and villains over the next 40 years, often producing in the same films. He worked on over 60 movies, his final project being "True Colors" in 1991. Fun fact: Widmark's daughter was married to Sandy Koufax. Fun fact #2: Although making a career out of carrying guns, he was a stark advocate for gun control. He passed away in 2008 after a long illness. Here is a video crediting Widmark with the advent of the upmarket psycho specialist. It's worth a view as it's only 2 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYb66PW9u1U This video credits his style of villainy with performances by Dennis Hopper, John Malkovic, Javier Bardem and Michael Shannon.

Frances Dee

Frances Dee was awarded a hollywood walk of fame star for film. Now who is Frances Dee? Frances Dee experienced one of the cliched Hollywood experiences. She was working as an extra when "discovered" and pegged as a lead in a film. Originally from Los Angeles, Dee's family moved to Chicago when she was just 7 years old. After two years of college where she worked in the dramatic arts, Dee went to summer in Los Angeles with family when she was found by producers. Although Dee only worked in film for 23 years, they were productive years, She accumulated 27 credits in the time including her breakout role in The Playboy of Paris, her acclaimed follow up role in An American Tragedy and roles such as "Meg March" in the 1933 production of Little Women.

Pearl Bailey

A recipient of a hollywood walk of fame star for achievements in recording, Pearl Bailey's monument is found on the southeast corner of La Brea and Hollywood. After looking into it, Pearl could have probably received her star for stage, film or even television as well. That said, she does seem to have been most prolific in the realm of recording. Pearl got her start through amateur contests which turned into live performance opportunities. After growing up in her hometown of Newport News Virginia and then performing in the northeast, Bailey gained attention in the lounge and nightclub scene through the late 30's. She performed as part of a US USO tour and then moved to NYC where she found fame. She transitioned to Broadway and, later, into film and television but never left her singing behind. She recorded numerous albums and earned acclaim through her other various mediums. Most notable was the All Black production of Hello, Dolly! It was widely appreciated. In later years, Bailey served as a special "Ambassador of Love" to the UN on behalf of Richard Nixon and served in various roles for numerous republican politicians. Her is a performance by Pearl Bailey on the Nat King Cole show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDd1S1TJdhY

"Shotgun Tom" Kelly

Found at the southeast corner of La Brea and Hollywood is the star for "Shotgun Tom" Kelly. It was awarded for achievements in radio. Hey guys, this guy's still alive! He is a famed disc jockey and television personality who hails from San Diego. He got his start in radio at a young age, being interviewed on air at the age of 10. At the age of 13 he was in a radio studio when the program director asked him if he like a song. That studio was then the first in the nation to air "California Dreaming" by the Mamas and the Papas. At 16 Kelly got his first employment in radio on a sunday morning show. Kelly has won two Emmys for his 1970's children's show "Words a Poppin". For over 40 years Kelly has been a major radio personality. I'm surprised I didn't recognize his name. That said, I haven't spent much time listening to oldies radio or radio in the San Diego area, both of which are in his wheelhouse.

The Dead End Kids

The first of Hollywood's famous ensembles, the Dead End Kids have a Hollywood star on the Southeast corner of Hollywood and La Brea. Followed later on by the Rat Pack and the Brat Pack, the Dead End Kids forged the way for ensemble based film realm. This group got their start through a broadway play entitled "Dead End" which was then made into a movie by Samuel Goldwyn. It is fascinating to learn that the 6 boys caused so much trouble on the set, including crashing a truck, that Goldwyn sold the remainder of their 2 year contracts to Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers made 6 films with the Dead End Kids. They worked with many established or up and coming stars such as James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Pat O'Brien, and Ronald Reagan. They were ultimately released from their contracts for the havoc they wreaked on the lot. With contract releases and rehires from other studios the ensemble was now spread out across numerous studios. While most were still working, they weren't working as a whole anymore. Many of them appeared in 22 East Side Kids films over the course of 6 years. From 1946 to 1958 a series of 48 films were made under "The Bowery Boys" theme. Just two original Dead End Kids members were consistently in these films. Over 21 years and 89 films the Dead End Kids gained a legacy untouched by other ensembles. Members included: -Gabriel Dell -Leo Gorcey -Billy Halop -Huntz Hall -Bobby Jordan -Bernard Punsly Found here is a commemorative video made for the Dead End Kids https://vimeo.com/198571276 To see pictures of the Dead End Kids throughout their career, follow this link. https://www.pinterest.com/addieiaccino/the-dead-end-kids/

Joseph Schildkraut

Joseph Schildkraut, born in March 1896, was an academy and golden globe winner/nominee (respectively) in his career as an actor. His portrayal of Captain Alfred Dreyfus in "The Life of Emile Zola" garnered him an Academy Award for best supporting actor. His performance as Otto Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank" was worthy of a golden globe nomination. Born in Austria, Schildkraut immigrated in the early 1900's with his parents. He appeared in numerous stage productions and films through the silent era and into the talkie era. In all, he performed in over 50 films until his death by heart attack in 1967. Found here is the trailer for "The Life of Emile Zola" in which Schildkraut won his Academy Award. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ubYsxplNA

David Wolper

Found at the northeast corner of Sunset and Vine is the television star for David Wolper. Who is David Wolper and why does he merit at star? David Wolper spent his time behind the camera which is perhaps why I'm unfamiliar with his name. Wolper first served as Executive Producer for the 1958 film "The Race for Space". He was a producer in film and television and, as part of his career, produced the television miniseries "Roots" as well as the well known films "L.A. Confidential" and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". He was also responsible for such biographies as "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", "Imagine: John Lennon", and an insect based and Academy Award winning biography entitled "The Hellstrom Chronicle". Wolper was born in New York city in 1928. Wolper died of Congestive Heart Disease and complications of Parkinson's disease in 2010.

Jimmie Dodd

The star commemorating Jimmie Dodd's achievements in the field of television is found near the CVS on Hollywood and North Orange Drive. Guys....This Jimmie Dodd was immortalized by his role of MC on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 50's. I had no idea. In part because I was far from alive in the 50's and, in equal part, because I have never seen the Mickey Mouse Club. Dodd was born in 1910 in Cincinnati. He had numerous minor roles at the beginning of his career. He worked in well known movies and with established actors of the time. Dodd cemented his legacy by performing self composed numbers on the Mickey Mouse Club. This included a song that taught children how to spell Encyclopedia for decades. He also ran segments where he would explain proverbs and how they apply to everyday life. Jimmie Dodd died of cancer in Honolulu in the 1964. At only 54 years of age, he was taken well before his time. The Mouseketeers were frequent guests to his home for barbecues and say they were always treated as family. He shall live on having penned the title song for MMC. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E.

Dolores Hope

A recipient of a Hollywood star for achievements in the theatre. Her star is found near North Orange Drive. The first thing one should know about Dolores is that she married Bob Hope. That is certainly a name with which most are familiar. She joined her husband in his immense philanthropic endeavors in addition to being a singer and entertainer in her own right. Dying at the age of 102 in 2011, Dolores was born into the Harlem based Defina family in 1909. Dolores began her professional singing career under the stage name Dolores Reade in 1933. She was introduced to Bob Hope that same year after performing in a New York nightclub called Vogue Club. The couple were "reportedly" married on February 19th in 1934. The two adopted four children. Bob and Dolores had a joint birthday celebration every year on May 28th, the exact middle date between their actual birthdays. From the 1940's on Dolores helped her husband entertain the troops. For over 50 years she gave her time and energy to this cause. She was famously the only woman allowed to perform in Saudi Arabia in 1990. Although an active musician through her whole life, Dolores recorded her first C.D at the age of 83. Three others followed. The recipient of numerous religious and secular honors, Dolores' legacy will always be centered around the selfless drive to give back to others and make the world a happier and more loving place.

Stanley Kramer

Found near the Southwest corner of Gower and Hollywood, the star for Stanley Kramer was presented for accomplishments in film. I don't even know the name Stanley Kramer so, for me, he is an old forgotten star. After a cursory search I can see that I should recognize this name. He was responsible for such films as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in addition to the "The Defiant Ones" and many other films in the "message" realm. While many studios shied away from making films which overt social commentary, Stanley Kramer independently leaned into using the medium in this way. Born in 1913 and raised in Hell's Kitchen, Kramer was a bit of an insider with his mother working at the New York office of Paramount and his uncle worked in distribution at Universal Pictures. A post collegiate internship at 20th century Fox deterred Kramer from enrolling in law school. Bouncing around in the film industry during the great depression, Kramer gained a vast knowledge of the industry and demonstrated a proficiency in editing. Kramer served in the army from 1943 through the end of the war, contributing to training films. Finding a dearth of jobs available after the cessation of war, Kramer created Screen Plays Inc with three others. The independent realm was less handcuffed than the studios during this era. Able to hire whomever they wanted and rent filming space instead of maintaining immense lots, the independent film makers had less overhead and far more intellectual freedom. Starting in the mid 1950's Kramer began directing in addition to production and had great success. Other notable films are High Noon (as producer 1952), The Caine Mutiny (1954 as producer), Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Inherit the Wind (1960). Stanley Kramer passed away in 2001 and in 2002 the Producer Guild of America established his eponymous award to honor a production or persons whose contributions illuminate and/or raise public awareness of important social issues.

Carmen Cavallaro

The star for Carmen Cavallaro can be found near the northwest corner of Hollywood and Vine. This is a name I am not familiar with so I deemed it worthy of research. Born on May 6th, 1913 in New York City Carmen Cavallaro (Male) became one of the premier light music pianists of his era. He was given the nickname "Poet of the Piano." He began playing from the age of 3 and as a prodigious youth, toured Europe performing. Cavallaro performed with a number of well known artists in his early adult career and, in 1939, formed his own group which released somewhere around 19 albums together. Perhaps his best known piece is a pop version of "Chopins' Polonaise" but he also wrote the song "Sukiyaki" which sold over a million copies. Cavallaro was famous for "arranging classical piano themes in a pop idiom." -Wiki Cavallaro passed away from prostate cancer in 1989 leaving behind 3 children.