Mayor of Hollywood

The mayor of Hollywood was an honorary position in Hollywood appointed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The office primarily served as the master of ceremonies of the award ceremonies for new plaques on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is administered by the Chamber, along with other community events. The position otherwise had no political authority due to Hollywood being a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, and is thus instead served by the Mayor of Los Angeles.

History The position was created to promote show business events in Hollywood. The legal mayor of the area is the mayor of Los Angeles, because Hollywood is a district of Los Angeles, California. The unpaid position was previously elected by the Kiwanis Club of Hollywood.

The office has been vacant since the death of Johnny Grant on January 9, 2008. Among those lobbying for the job were Max Worthington, Gary Owens, and Angelyne. The fictional character Chip Gardner, portrayed by Andy Daly on the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast and TV show, lobbied for the position.

List of past mayors

Image Name Years served 1 John B. Kingsley 1942–1952 2 Barbara Britton 1952–1953 Barbara Britton Named 'Mayor' of Hollywood. Nov 7, 1952, Los Angeles Times 3 Jack Bailey 1953–1955 Bailey Wins Mayor of Hollywood Race. October 5, 1953, Los Angeles Times 4 Betty White 1955–1956 5 Ben Hunter 1956–1957 6 Art Linkletter 1957–1958 Linkletter Installed as Hollywood 'Mayor'. Sep 5, 1957, Los Angeles Times 7 Lawrence Welk 1958–1962 Lawrence Welk Elected Mayor of Hollywood. Sep 6, 1958, Los Angeles Times 8 Charlton Heston 1962–1963 9 Steve Allen 1963–1972 10 Lawrence Welk 1972–1975 11 Monty Hall 1975–1980 12 Johnny Grant 1980–2008

References