The Only Two Women with Three Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars
Just two women have earned three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a rare feat that underscores ongoing gender imbalance in this iconic recognition.
Anyone arriving in Los Angeles by air is greeted by the unmistakable sight of the Hollywood sign, looming over the city’s sprawl. Yet, for all its fame, the sign is only one of the city’s celebrated landmarks. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, with its endless parade of pink stars, stands as a tribute to those who have shaped the worlds of film, television, music, radio, and theatre. However, beneath the glamour, the Walk’s history reveals a rather persistent imbalance in how it recognises talent.
This inequality is perhaps most apparent when considering the treatment of animated icons.
While Mickey Mouse received his star in 1978, Minnie Mouse had to wait four entire decades before she got hers,
a delay that speaks volumes about the slow pace of progress in acknowledging women’s contributions, even in the realm of cartoons.
Three Stars, Two Women
Beyond the world of animation, another statistic highlights the same issue. Of the 33 individuals who have been honoured with stars in three separate categories, only two are women. The likes of Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny have all been recognised for their versatility across different fields. Yet, it is equally important to shine a light on the women who have achieved this rare distinction.
Dinah Shore was the first woman to collect three stars. Her career spanned radio, television, and music, but her influence extended further—she published cookbooks and even hosted her own celebrity golf tournament. Her accolades include nine gold records, ten Emmy Awards, and a Peabody, reflecting a career that left a mark from the 1950s through to the 1990s. Her trio of stars can be found on both sides of the 6900 block of Hollywood Boulevard and on the west side of the 1700 block of Vine Street.
Gale Storm’s Remarkable Journey
The only other woman to match this achievement is Gale Storm. Recognised for her work in television, music, and radio, Storm’s journey began when she arrived in Hollywood as Josephine Cottle from Houston, Texas, at just 17. She soon adopted her stage name and became a household favourite, first in film from 1940 to 1952, and then as the star of two hugely popular television programmes in the 1950s: My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show.
Her talents were not confined to acting. Storm enjoyed a string of top ten hits, captivating audiences with her performances and earning a place among the most beloved entertainers of her era. Her three stars stand as a testament to her enduring appeal and versatility.
Recognition and the Road Ahead
Despite these achievements, the numbers remain stark: only two women have joined the 31 men who have received three stars. The process of recognition has often been slow and, at times, disheartening.
At this rate, Minnie Mouse will probably get the three stars she deserves at the turn of the new millennium.
The Walk of Fame, for all its sparkle, still has some way to go in offering women the recognition they have long earned.