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Getting your name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame isn’t as easy as one might think. Each year a committee selects 30 names from a list of nominated individuals in a variety of categories: Motion Picture, Television, Radio, Recording, Live Theatre/Performance and Sports Entertainment.
The criteria to be inducted includes professional achievement, career longevity, contributions or charity work and a promise to attend the dedication ceremony if selected.
In 2022, actors Willem Dafoe and Salma Hayek are scheduled as well as Francis Ford Coppola and child star Macaulay Culkin. The late actor Ray Liotta is scheduled for this year and musical stars like the Black-Eyed Peas, DJ Khaled and others should be added to Hollywood Blvd. in the coming months.
Surprisingly, there are some actors and actresses that boast a string of hit films or albums and have yet to claim their star among 2,600 peers. Some have turned down the opportunity, yet others have yet to be offered one.
Check out the list of celebrities (and their current net worth) still waiting for their Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
James Earl Jones – $40 Million
The voice of Darth Vader doesn’t have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? That’s right, despite Jones’ lengthy theatre work, starring in films like Coming to America with Eddie Murphy and then using his deep, commanding voice in the original Star Wars trilogy and again in Disney’s animated The Lion King, Jones has yet to celebrate the traditional star.
Christopher Walken – $50 Million
The unique star with a distinctive voice has been in numerous films from Catch Me if You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio to Click with Adam Sandler. He’s shown a wide variety of skills ranging in drama, comedy and action but Walken has yet to claim the recognition for the famous star, however, he did take home an Oscar for Best Actor in The Deer Hunter in 1979. With a long-lasting career like Walken’s, it seems likely his turn is around the corner.
Meg Ryan – $85 Million
According to Best Life Online, one of America’s original sweethearts and star of 80’s and 90’s rom com’s is still waiting for her star. Ryan appeared in several films opposite actor Tom Hanks and brought films like You’ve Got Mail and Kate and Leopold to the big screen. Though she’s taken a step back in retirement, fans still ask that the superstar is recognized for her work that has affected generations.
Angelina Jolie – $120 Million
According to Newsweek, the Girl, Interrupted star has not only amassed a large list of successful films, she has also written and directed films like Land of Blood and Honey and Unbroken. If the Walk of Fame is looking for humanitarian efforts, Jolie certainly checks that box as she’s served as an ambassador for UNHCR and co-founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
Richard Gere – $120 Million
A star that has been basically exiled from Hollywood due to political opinions regarding China probably won’t be seeing any star invitations soon. However, Gere was the go-to leading man in the 80’s and 90’s with hits like Pretty Woman, Chicago and Runaway Bride. He’s frequently paired with co-star Julia Roberts (who also doesn’t have a star but is planning a ceremony soon) and Diane Lane. A Buddhist and a huge advocate for human rights in Tibet, Gere may prefer to fight his humanitarian duties over recognition from Hollywood anyway.
Brad Pitt – $300 Million
He first caught audiences’ attention as the young man in Thelma and Louise but has brought us many other hits over the years such as Fight Club, Oceans Eleven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button alongside Cate Blanchett and others. Frequent co-stars include Julia Roberts, George Clooney and Blanchett and with several award nominations, Pitt took home his first Oscar in 2020 for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so perhaps the Walk of Fame committee will be calling soon.
Taylor Swift – $400 Million
The American singer and songwriter was discovered at age 15 and her skyrocket to stardom hasn’t leveled out yet. Her songwriting and subsequent hits like Love Story, You Belong with Me and Shake it Off has produced a fan following who wouldn’t believe the young artists hasn’t received her star as of yet. With 10 Grammy’s, numerous No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even an Emmy, it’s safe to say her day is coming.
Rihanna – $1.7 Billion
She doesn’t need attention in the financial department. The richest female musician in the world was originally found by Jay-Z through a demo tape and led to hits like Umbrella and Take Care. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the superstar donated $8 million to support coronavirus relief in 2020 and has given more than $2 million to help abuse victims in Los Angeles among other charities.
Not all stars have been skipped over. Actors Denzel Washington, Al Pacino and singer Bruce Springsteen all failed to set a ceremony date or to even show up. Clint Eastwood and Prince both turned down the opportunity. However, many stars are still waiting their turn and the 2023 list is beginning to form right now.
Sources: Best Life Online, Newsweek, Celebrity Net Worth