Husky legends on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jean Smart joins the growing list of UW stars whose names are engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

by Caitlin Klask | May 25, 2022

The Hollywood Walk of Fame welcomed another Husky to its list of more than 2,700 stars of television, film, radio and music. Jean Smart, ’74, had her name engraved on one of the newest stars on Hollywood Boulevard, joining seven other UW legends. Here’s where you can find them.

Begin your tour at 7021 Hollywood Blvd., where you’ll find Kenny G’s star. Kenneth Gorelick, ’78, received a B.A. in business administration/accounting at the UW before becoming a smooth jazz musician and one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Continue east on Hollywood Boulevard to Keye Luke’s* star. Luke, who paid his UW tuition by drawing movie posters for Seattle theaters, also designed sheet music covers for a local music shop. He studied architecture but dropped out to work after his father’s death. Luke became a newspaper illustrator in Los Angeles, where he made his big break as an artist and actor. He died in 1991.

Across the street from Keye Luke, you’ll find another legendary actor and former Husky. Bruce Lee*, internationally renowned martial arts superstar, took drama and philosophy classes at the UW, attending for three years without graduating. While in Seattle, he worked at Ruby Chow’s in the International District and gave Jun Fan Gung Fu lessons to his fellow students. His star is located at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard.

Another block east, you’ll find the star of Dyan Cannon*, three-time Oscar-nominated actress and the former spouse of Cary Grant. Next to Cannon, at 6600 Hollywood Boulevard, is Ella Raines’ star. Raines, ’42, earned her B.A. in drama at the UW. She boasts two stars on the walk of fame–this one, for television, and another for motion pictures at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard (next to Kenny G).

Make a right on Vine Street and you’ll see Robert Osborne’s star. Osborne, ’54, was a legendary “Hollywood Reporter” columnist from Colfax, Washington. He earned his degree in communication and journalism from the UW and hosted the cable channel Turner Classic Movies for more than 20 years. He died in 2017.

Head north and you’ll find the star of Norman Z. McLeod at 1724 Vine Street. McLeod studied economics & business at the UW, then spent two years as a fighter pilot in France during World War I. He directed dozens of shorts, movies and TV episodes (including an episode of “The Twilight Zone”) before his death in 1964.

We finish our tour at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard with a shiny new star: Jean Smart, ’74, joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame in April for her contributions to television. Smart majored in drama at UW’s College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) and is a two-time recipient of the CAS Timeless Award. She was featured in our wondrous 100 alumni of the 20th century.

*Keye Luke, Bruce Lee and Dyan Cannon attended the UW but did not graduate. David Foster, who enrolled in 1961, never attended but is considered an honorary alumnus; his star is located at 1750 Vine Street. Broadway and movie star Ann Sothern (whose star can be found at 1612 Vine Street) is also rumored to have attended the UW for a year, but Sothern is not listed in our student database.

And in case you were wondering, Anna Faris, Joel McHale, Kyle McLachlan and Rainn Wilson do not currently have stars on the Walk of Fame. Anyone can nominate a celebrity for a star, but you’ll need a letter of agreement from the nominee—in addition to a $50,000 sponsorship fee—to seal the deal.