The Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles attracts countless tourists from around the world. This iconic destination captivates visitors with its collection of stars dedicated to various personalities from the realms of entertainment, film, and sports.
In a recent addition to the Walk, the legacy of rapper Tupac Shakur was recognized. He received a star, nearly three decades after his untimely death.
This latest addition adds to the already impressive roster of stars that stretches from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue. From north and south, it stretches on Vin Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard.
As tourists traverse the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they have the opportunity to walk on the stars honoring renowned individuals such as Michael Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Alfred Hitchcock, and many more. However, an intriguing aspect to note is that all but one of the stars are placed on the ground.
Muhammad Ali is known as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He granted permission for his name to be used and was bestowed with a star in 2002. However, he made a unique request for his star’s placement.
Due to his religious beliefs after converting to Islam and changing his name from Cassius Marcellus Clay to Muhammad Ali in honor of the prophet Mohammed, Ali requested that his star be positioned vertically so that no one would walk on it.
Respecting Ali’s religious convictions, he insisted that his star be placed vertically to prevent anyone from unintentionally stepping on it. Stepping on the star with his name would be considered a grave insult due to his faith.
Ali’s request was granted, making his star the only one on the Hollywood Walk of Fame that stands upright rather than being embedded in the ground. His distinctive star can be found at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and no one is allowed to tread on it.
Muhammad Ali is revered as one of the greatest boxers in history. Throughout his iconic career, he held the heavyweight champion title. Ali achieved a professional record of 56-5, with an impressive 37 victories by way of knockout.
On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His legacy lives on, not only through his achievements in the boxing ring but also through the lasting impact he made on society as an influential figure and advocate for change.