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Why Carrie Fisher Can't Get A Walk of Fame Star (Yet)
Regardless of how much she deserves it, Carrie Fisher can't receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for at least another three years. Ever since the Walk of Fame was established in 1958, it has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles. That is because it's a symbol of celebrity as well as the entertainment industry, specifically the five categories of entertainment: movies, television, music, radio, and theater. In 2007, Donald Trump received a star due to his achievement in producing The Apprentice and the Miss Universe Pageants.
But, because he "belittles and attacks minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities [and] women," the West Hollywood City Council recently voted unanimously to remove Trump's star from the Walk of Fame. However, the resolution can only indicate their desire for the star removed; the only organization who has the authority to remove a star is the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The Hollywood Historic Trust, on the other hand, maintains the Walk of Fame. During this time, Mark Hamill suggested that his Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher replace Trump's star. That notion was later shared by William Shatner. While Fisher not having a star is baffling to many, she's actually not eligible to receive one for another few years.
It's not uncommon for someone to get a star on the Walk of Fame posthumously, but a deceased individual can't receive one until five years after their death. Since Carrie Fisher passed away in December 2016, she wouldn't be eligible for a Walk of Fame star until at least 2021. It's worth noting that the rules don't indicate whether she can't be nominated or can't receive a star for five years. If it's the former, then her nomination wouldn't even be voted on until June the following year - in 2022. So, it could be another four years from now at the very least.
It's unclear why there's such a long posthumous waiting period for someone to receive a star on the Walk of Fame, but it's one of the rules devised by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - and they aren't known for budging at that sort of thing. To do so would mean granting an exception, which would open them up to more exceptions down the line. Even if Trump's star isn't removed - which most likely won't happen since the Walk of Fame is considered a historic landmark - Fisher very much deserves recognition for her contribution to the entertainment industry.
While some people have speculated that Lucasfilm and/or The Walt Disney Company would nominate Carrie Fisher for a star on the Walk of Fame to commemorate the release of J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX next December, in which she not only will appear once again thanks to unused footage from past Star Wars films but also because it marks the end of the Skywalker saga. Plus, it would coincide with the three-year anniversary of her death. But it simply won't happen due to the Walk of Fame's rules.
Star Wars 9 / Star Wars: Episode IX (2019) release date: Dec 20, 2019
