Bronx Walk of Fame

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Bronx Walk of Fame
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Location within New York City
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Bronx Walk of Fame (New York)
Established1997
Location Grand Concourse from 138th Street to East 161st Street, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Coordinates 40°49′36″N73°55′22″W / 40.82667°N 73.92278°W / 40.82667; -73.92278
Type Hall of Fame
Founder Fernando Ferrer
OwnerBronx borough president,
Bronx Tourism Council
Public transit accessNew York City Subway
NYCS-bull-trans-2-Std.svg (149th Street), NYCS-bull-trans-4-Std.svg (138th and 149th Streets), NYCS-bull-trans-5-Std.svg (138th and 149th Streets), NYCS-bull-trans-B-Std.svg (161st Street), NYCS-bull-trans-D-Std.svg (161st Street)
Nearest parkingStreet parking and nearby private garages
Website http://bronxtourism.wpengine.com/bronx-walk-of-fame/
Bronx Walk of Fame signs for Nate Archibald and Regis Philbin at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 153rd Street. They were two of the original five inductees. Bronx Walk of Fame 1.jpg
Bronx Walk of Fame signs for Nate Archibald and Regis Philbin at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 153rd Street. They were two of the original five inductees.

The Bronx Walk of Fame is a 23-block corridor along the Grand Concourse, one of the main boulevards in the Bronx, the northernmost borough of New York City, with street signs honoring people who have lived in the borough and had worthy accomplishments. Individuals selected for honor frequently have been celebrities in artistic fields, but there also have been relative "unknowns" who have quietly made their mark on society, and several groups have also been honored. Elections to the Bronx Walk of Fame are held annually.

Contents

History

Fernando Ferrer, borough president of the Bronx from 1987 to 2001, conceived the idea for the Bronx Walk of Fame in 1997 to honor people who had ties to The Bronx and made significant contributions to society. [1]

The initial induction ceremony, on June 1, 1997, coincided with the conclusion of the 25th Bronx Week, an annual spring celebration of street festivals and concerts throughout the Bronx, a parade, and the Bronx Ball, a black-tie gala that includes a ceremony for the inductees. [2] The inductees' names were inscribed on street signs mounted on lampposts on the Grand Concourse from East 161st Street to East 158th Street, in front of the Bronx County Courthouse, each bearing the name of an honoree. The original design included the honoree's name in the center of the sign, the words "The Bronx" above and "Walk of Fame" below, and stylized images of the Bronx County Courthouse on the left and a pizza shop on the right. [1]

In 2007, the signs were replaced with a new design featuring a different typeface, a redrawn courthouse, and the pizza shop replaced by an Art Deco building meant to evoke the architectural style of many of the apartment buildings on the Grand Concourse. As more honorees have been added over the years, the signs have been placed further southward, extending past East 149th Street, beyond which there are much fewer pedestrians, and reaching the southern end of the Grand Concourse at East 138th Street. [1]

In 2019, a five-year project was announced to reconstitute the walk along the Grand Concourse starting at East 149th Street near Hostos Community College and the Bronx General Post Office, extending to 167th Street near the Bronx Museum of the Arts. The new alignment would give an opportunity to group inductees by similar accomplishments, install new plaques, allow more pedestrians to have a better opportunity to see the plaques, and create a digital map. [1] [3]

Election process

Bronx Walk of Fame sign for Diahann Carroll at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 144th Street. Bronx Walk of Fame 2.jpg
Bronx Walk of Fame sign for Diahann Carroll at the corner of the Grand Concourse and East 144th Street.

Nominations can be made by anybody in the community, and selections are determined by a committee consisting of the Bronx borough president, The Bronx Tourism Council, and The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. Inductees' names are announced prior to Bronx Week. Their names are inscribed on oversized street signs that are unveiled in front of the Bronx County Courthouse located on the Grand Concourse between East 158th and 161st Streets, where they remain on lampposts for one year before being transferred to different locations along the Grand Concourse to make room for the next group of honorees. [1]

The Bronx Walk of Fame is maintained by the Bronx Tourism Council. Since 2012, the number of inductees has been limited to five per year. In 2020, Bronx Week celebrations and the Walk of Fame selections were cancelled because of the COVID-19 epidemic, which hit New York City particularly hard that spring. [4] [5]

List of honorees

The following people have been honored with election.

YearNameField or Talent
1997 [6] John Benitez (born 1957)drummer, guitarist, songwriter, and music producer
Nate Archibald (born 1948)professional basketball player; six-time NBA All Star
Regis Philbin (1931–2020)television host, actor, singer, and producer
Renée Taylor (born 1933)actress, screenwriter, playwright, and director
Robert Klein (born 1942)comedian and actor
1998 [6] Angela Bofill (born 1954)singer and songwriter
Garry Marshall (1934–2016)film producer, director, screenwriter, actor, and comedian
Red Buttons (1918–2006)comedian and actor
Rita Moreno (born 1931)actress, dancer, and singer
1999 [6] Esai Morales (born 1962)actor
Felipe López (born 1974)professional basketball player
Hal Linden (born 1931)actor
Joe Franklin (1926–2015)radio and television host
2000 [6] Dave Valentin (1952–2017)musician
Dolores Hope (1909–2011)singer
*Guy Williams (1924–1989)actor and model
Marvin Scott (born 1938)newscaster and anchorman
Neil deGrasse Tyson (born 1958)astronomer
Sam Garnes (born 1974)professional football player
Yomo Toro (1933–2012)musician
2001 [6] Burt Young (born 1940)actor
Colin Powell (1937-2021)United States Army general, secretary of state, and diplomat
Diahann Carroll (1935–2019)actress, singer, model
E.L. Doctorow (1931–2015)author
Ed Kranepool (born 1944)major league baseball player
Jim Ryan (born 1939)news reporter and anchorman
Johnny Pacheco (1935-2021)musician, arranger, composer, music producer, and bandleader
KRS-One (born 1965)rapper
Lyn Brownnewscaster
Ace Frehley (born 1951)musician and songwriter
*Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999)film director, producer, and screenwriter
2002 [6] Cathy Moriarty-Gentile (born 1960)actress and singer
Danny Aiello (1933–2019)actor
Gabe Pressman (1924–2017)television journalist
*Rosetta LeNoire (1911–2002)actress, producer, and casting agent
Ray Barretto (1928–2006)musician and bandleader
The Chantels pop music group whose original members were Arlene Smith, Sonia Goring Wilson, Renée Minus White, Jackie Landry Jackson, and Lois Harris
2003 [6] Daniel Libeskind (born 1946)architect
Kool DJ Red Alert (born 1956)disc jockey
Jake LaMotta (1922–2017)professional boxer; world middleweight champion
Jimmy Sabater (1936–2012)musician
Joey Kramer (born 1950)musician; drummer for Aerosmith
Liz Torres (born 1947)actress, singer, and comedienne
Michael Kay (born 1961)sportscaster
Valerie Simpson (born 1946)singer, songwriter, and music producer
2004 [6] *Bobby Darin (1936–1973)singer, songwriter, and actor
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five hip hop group
John Patrick Shanley (born 1950)screenwriter, director, and playwright
Shelley Morrison (1936–2019)actress
Sonia Manzano (born 1950)actress, screenwriter, author, singer, and songwriter
Willie Colón (born 1950)musician
2005 [6] Army Archerd (1922–2019)newspaper columnist
*Charlie Palmieri (1927–1988)musician and bandleader
Daniel Schorr (1916–2010)journalist
Dominic Chianese (born 1931)actor, singer, and musician
Ed Pinckney (born 1963)professional basketball player
Eddie Palmieri (born 1936)musician and bandleader
Joseíto Mateo (1920–2018)musician, songwriter, and singer
Kurtis Blow (born 1959)rapper
The Chiffons pop music group whose members were Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, Barbara Lee, and Sylvia Peterson
2006 [6] [7] Art Donovan (1924–2013)professional football player
Bobby Sanabria (born 1957)musician
La India (born 1969)singer and songwriter
Manny Azenberg (born 1934)theatre producer
Mary Higgins Clark (1927–2020)author
Tony Guida (born 1941)newscaster and anchorman
Afrika Bambaataa (born 1957)rapper
2007 [6] Aventura singing group whose members are Romeo Santos, Henry Santos, Lenny Santos, and Max Santos
Budd Friedman (born 1932)founder of the Improv comedy clubs
Dion DiMucci (born 1939)singer and songwriter
Doris Roberts (1925–2016)actress
*Luther Vandross (1951–2005)singer, songwriter, and record producer
2008 [6] Adam Rodriguez (born 1975)actor
Ruth Westheimer (born 1928)born Karola Siegel, known as "Dr. Ruth", German-American sex therapist, talk show host, author, professor, Holocaust survivor, and former Haganah sniper.
Grandmaster Caz (born 1960)rapper and disc jockey
Larry Chance and the Earls singing group
Rock Steady Crew break dancers
2009 [6] Charles Fox (born 1940)composer
Grand Wizzard Theodore (born 1963)disc jockey
Judy Reyes (born 1967)actress
Melissa Manchester (born 1951)singer, songwriter, and actress
Tony Orlando (born 1941)singer, songwriter, and music producer
2010 [6] Ed Lewis (born 1940)founder of Essence magazine
Herman Badillo (1928–2014)United States congressman, Bronx borough president
Jerry Vale (1930–2014)singer
Joanie Madden & Cherish the Ladies music group
2011 [6] Charles Latibeaudiere (born 1969)television producer
Chazz Palminteri (born 1952)actor
Irene Cara (1962–2022)singer, songwriter, and actress
Joy Bryant (born 1974)actress
2012 [6] Fat Joe (born 1970)rapper
Sol Negrin (1929–2017)cinematographer
Tyson Beckford (born 1970)model, actor
Valerie Capers (born 1935)musician and composer
2013 [6] Ellen Barkin (born 1954)actress
Miguel Angel Amadeo (born 1934)musician and composer
Robert Abrams (born 1938)New York State attorney general, Bronx borough president
2014 [6] David Zayas (born 1962)actor
Priscilla Lopez (born 1948)actress and dancer
Rachel Ticotin (born 1958)actress
Willie Colon (born 1983)professional football player
Swizz Beatz (born 1978)rapper and record producer
2015 [8] *Alfredo Thiebaud (1940–2014)local businessman
Dolph Schayes (1928–2015)professional basketball player, 12-time National Basketball Association All-Star
Malik Yoba (born 1967)actor
Stacey Dash (born 1966 or 1967)actress
2016 [9] Arlene Alda (born 1933)musician, author, and photographer
Eduardo Vilaro (born 1964)dancer and choreographer
Peter Sohn (born 1997)animator, director, and voice actor
Vincent Pastore (born 1946)actor
2017 [10] Manny Villafaña (born 1940)medical device inventor
Funkmaster Flex (born 1968)disc jockey, rapper, record producer, actor, and radio host
Prince Royce (born 1989)singer and songwriter
Selenis Leyva (born 1972)actress
2018 [11] Tarana Burke (born 1973)activist who started the Me Too movement
Slick Rick (born 1965)rapper and record producer
Maggie Siff (born 1974)actress
2019 [12] Regina Spektor (born 1980)singer, songwriter, and pianist
Iran Barkley (born 1960)professional boxer
Carolyn Porco (born 1953)astronomer
2020 [13] no inductees, elections cancelled because of the COVID-19 epidemic
2021 [14] [15] Kid Capri (born 1967)disc jockey, writer, producer, actor
Sal Abbatiello (born 1952)music business executive
Joe Conzo Jr. photographer
2022 [16] [17] Eif Rivera artist, illustrator, television director
Luis Antonio Ramos (born 1973)actor
Remy Ma (born 1980)rapper
2023 [18] [19] Sunny Hostin (born 1968)lawyer, journalist, and television host
Juliet Papa (born 1963)radio journalist
God-Is Rivera technology executive
SWV R&B vocal trio whose members are Cheryl (Coko) Gamble, Tamara (Taj) Johnson, and Leanne (Lelee) Lyons.
2023 [20] Andrea Navedo (born 1969)actress
Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson music producer
Ozzie Virgil, Sr. (born 1932)major league baseball player
Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez health care executive

* Posthumous honoree

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bronx Walk of Fame". bronxtourism.wpengine.com. The Bronx Tourism Council. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Capping Week of Festivities With the Bronx Walk of Fame". New York Times. June 1, 1997. p. CV18. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  3. ↑ Mitchell, Alex (April 11, 2019). "Bronx Walk of Fame anticipates a major overhaul". Bronx Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  4. ↑ Cohen, Jason (April 15, 2020). "Bronx Week 2020 canceled for the first time in nearly 50 years in response to COVID-19". bxtimes.com. Bronx Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Visiting New York – The Bronx, New York City – Attractions – Bronx Walk of Fame". visiting-newyork.net. Visiting New York. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "The Bronx Walk of Fame" (PDF). Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Borough's Favorite Sons and Daughters Honored on Bronx Walk of Fame". Norwood News. June 29, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  8. ↑ Rocchio, Patrick (May 2, 2015). "Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees". bxtimes.com. Bronx Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Bronx Week 2016 Honors Bronxites in the Field of Arts and Entertainment". norwoodnews.org. Norwood News. May 4, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  10. ↑ Turner, Tatyana (May 10, 2017). "Bronx Week to Induct Four to Walk of Fame". norwoodnews.org. Norwood News. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  11. ↑ Valenzuela, Sarah (May 11, 2018). "BP announces 2018 Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees". bxtimes.com. Bronx Times. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  12. ↑ Benjamin, Michael (May 6, 2019). "BP Diaz Announces Walk of Fame Honorees at Bronx Week 2019 Kick Off". bronxchronicle.com. Bronx Chronicle . Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  13. ↑ "BP Diaz, Bx Tourism Council & Bronxnet Celebrate "The Best of the Bronx" in Place of 'Bronx Week'". bronxboropres.nyc.gov. Bronx Borough President. May 7, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Kid Capri among new inductees welcomed into Bronx Walk of Fame". News 12. May 15, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Bronx Week returns with Walk of Fame inductees celebrating 'essential workers of hip-hop'". bronx.news12.com. News 12 Bronx. May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  16. ↑ Meara, Paul (May 14, 2022). "Remy Ma Celebrated With Street Sign On Bronx Walk Of Fame". Black Entertainment Television. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Bronx Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony". bronxnet.org. May 12, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  18. ↑ Moloney, Síle (May 10, 2023). "Bronx Walk of Fame Inductees Unveiled at Bronx Week 2023 Launch". Norwood News. The Bronx, N.Y. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Bronx Week kicks off Monday with 2023 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees announced". Bronx Times. May 10, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Andrea Navedo, Antwan 'Amadeus' Thompson among inductees into Bronx Walk of Fame". News12 Bronx. May 18, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
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