Gene Hackman was one of the most revered and prolific actors of his generation. However, his resume lacks one honor typically bestowed upon Hollywood’s greatest.
The “French Connection” and “Hoosiers” star, who was found dead inside his New Mexico home along with his wife and dog on Wednesday, is not among the 2,800 entertainment icons with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The reason for this isn’t immediately clear.
Stars on the Walk of Fame are awarded through a nomination process, with one key caveat.
“Anyone, including a fan, can nominate a celebrity as long as the celebrity or his/her management is in agreement with the nomination,” the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce explains on the Walk of Fame’s website. “If there is no letter of agreement included from the celebrity or his/her representative, the committee will not accept the application.”
It is possible, if not likely, that Hackman was nominated but declined. This reportedly happened with Julia Roberts, Bruce Springsteen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna and Denzel Washington, none of whom currently have stars. KTLA has reached out to the Chamber of Commerce for comment.
There is also a money component: Stars cost $75,000.
“The money goes for the star itself and also helps pay for the expenses of maintaining the Walk of Fame,” explains Jeremy Parsons, a producer and host with People and ReelzChannel. “So, who pays for that? It’s always a sticky part. The studios do it a lot for when a new movie’s coming out to promote their big star.”
The Walk of Fame committee meets once a year to vote on the nominees, and 20 to 30 stars are typically selected each year. With two Academy Awards, along with three Golden Globes and countless other accolades, Hackman’s star would have been a certainty.
And it still could be.
While most Walk of Fame honorees are living and able to attend their own induction ceremonies, the committee issues one posthumous star each year. In 2023, the late “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher was posthumously honored, and Otis Redding in 2024.
According to the Chamber, there is a two-year waiting period before a posthumous nomination will be considered.
