How a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Is Made: Behind the Scenes of Hollywood’s Most Famous Sidewalk

How Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars Are Made: Inside the Process

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable landmarks. Thousands of tourists visit Hollywood Boulevard every year to photograph the famous five-pointed stars honoring actors, musicians, television personalities, directors and other entertainment figures. But how does one of these iconic stars actually get made? Behind every name embedded in the sidewalk is a detailed process involving brass, terrazzo, specialized craftsmanship and careful installation. As Good Morning America co-anchors Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos prepare to receive their own Hollywood Walk of Fame stars on November 5, 2026, the process behind creating these permanent tributes is getting renewed attention. Although the stars might look like simple sidewalk decorations, making one requires skilled craftsmanship and materials designed to withstand years of foot traffic and outdoor exposure.

What Are Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars Made Of?

Despite their metallic appearance, Hollywood Walk of Fame stars are not made entirely of metal. Each star is constructed using two primary materials: terrazzo and brass. Terrazzo is a durable composite material made with stone chips or other aggregates embedded in a cement-based binder. It can be ground and polished to create a smooth, finished surface. The recognizable pink star is surrounded by a darker sidewalk surface, while brass is used for the star’s outline, the honoree’s name and the emblem identifying the entertainment category. Each finished star measures approximately three feet across, making it a substantial piece of craftsmanship rather than a small decorative plaque.

How a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Is Made

Creating a Hollywood Walk of Fame star involves several stages, from preparing the sidewalk to installing the finished design. Each star follows the Walk of Fame’s recognizable five-pointed design. The honoree’s name is placed in the center, accompanied by a brass emblem representing the entertainment category for which the person is being recognized. There are six official categories: Motion Pictures, Television, Recording, Radio, Live Theatre and Sports Entertainment.

Preparing the Sidewalk and Installing the Brass

Once the location is selected, workers prepare the designated section of sidewalk for installation. If an existing blank star is already in place, it can be used as the foundation for the new design. Otherwise, the sidewalk section must be removed and rebuilt. The installation requires a properly prepared base to support the terrazzo and brass components. One of the most recognizable parts of the star is the honoree’s name, which is made from brass lettering. The letters are carefully arranged within the star, alongside a circular brass emblem representing the recipient’s category. A brass outline defines the five-pointed shape. Precision is especially important because the name and category emblem are permanent features of the finished installation.

Pouring and Finishing the Terrazzo

The pink terrazzo material gives the Hollywood Walk of Fame its signature appearance. The material is placed into the prepared star-shaped section and allowed to harden. Once set, the surface is ground down, smoothed and polished to create the finished appearance. The final result is a durable, level surface designed to become part of the surrounding sidewalk. After installation and finishing work are complete, the star is ready to be officially dedicated. The unveiling ceremony gives the recipient an opportunity to celebrate the recognition with family, friends, colleagues and fans.

How Much Does a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Cost?

Receiving a Hollywood Walk of Fame star comes with a significant financial commitment. According to the official Hollywood Walk of Fame website, the sponsorship fee is $85,000 upon selection. The fee covers the creation and installation of the star, the dedication ceremony and maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The fee is generally paid by a sponsoring organization, studio, record company, production company or another sponsor associated with the honoree. Receiving a star is not simply a matter of paying for one. Candidates must first go through an official nomination and selection process.

Who Decides Who Gets a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star?

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce oversees the selection process. Anyone can nominate a celebrity, provided the nominee gives written permission. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of Walk of Fame recipients with expertise in the entertainment categories. The committee considers nominations once a year, typically selecting approximately 30 recipients. The official website reports that it receives between 200 and 300 applications annually. Once selected, recipients have up to two years to schedule their dedication ceremony. If they do not schedule it within that period, the selection expires and the application must be submitted again.

Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars

Two familiar faces from morning television are joining Hollywood’s famous sidewalk. Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, co-anchors of ABC’s Good Morning America, are being honored with the 2,862nd and 2,863rd stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Both journalists are receiving their stars in the Television category. Fellow Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan is serving as the ceremony’s emcee. Actors Michael J. Fox and Niecy Nash-Betts are among the scheduled guest speakers, alongside Disney Entertainment Television Chairman Debra OConnell. Roberts and Stephanopoulos have worked together as co-anchors since 2009, becoming one of morning television’s longest-running anchor teams. Their recognition celebrates their contributions to television broadcasting and their decades of reporting, interviewing and storytelling.

How Many Stars Are on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

The Hollywood Walk of Fame has more than 2,800 stars spread across Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles. The landmark was developed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as a way to celebrate the entertainment industry and strengthen Hollywood’s identity as a cultural destination. The first eight stars were dedicated in 1958, while the official groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1960. Today, the Walk of Fame remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable attractions, drawing visitors from around the world.

Why Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars Are Built to Last

Unlike temporary awards or decorations, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star becomes a permanent part of the city’s sidewalk. The combination of terrazzo and brass gives each installation its distinctive appearance while providing materials suitable for a heavily traveled public space. Every star represents a different career, achievement and contribution to entertainment. Behind the familiar pink-and-brass design is a carefully coordinated process that turns a celebrity’s name into a lasting part of Hollywood history. For recipients such as Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, the recognition represents decades of work in television and a place among the broadcasters and entertainers who have helped shape the industry.