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.

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 an unofficial 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.^[1] 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

No.	Image	Name	Years served	Ref.
1		John B. Kingsley	1942–1952	[2]
2		Barbara Britton	1952–1953	[3]
3		Jack Bailey	1953–1955	[4]
4		Betty White	1955–1956	[5][6]
5		Ben Hunter	1956–1957	[7]
6		Art Linkletter	1957–1958	[8]
7		Lawrence Welk	1958–1962	[9]
8		Charlton Heston	1962–1963
9		Steve Allen	1963–1972
10		Lawrence Welk	1972–1975
11		Monty Hall	1975–1980	[10]
12		Johnny Grant	1980–2008	[11]

References

1. "Search under way for new honorary Hollywood Mayor". Los Angeles Daily News. March 16, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
2. Oliver, Myrna (November 22, 1995). "John B. Kingsley; Hollywood Leader". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
3. Barbara Britton Named 'Mayor' of Hollywood. Nov 7, 1952, Los Angeles Times
4. Bailey Wins Mayor of Hollywood Race. October 5, 1953, Los Angeles Times
5. "Betty White Voted 'Mayor' of Hollywood", Los Angeles Times, Oct 25, 1954
6. "Happy Birthday, Betty! 7 Fun Facts to Celebrate Hollywood's Golden Girl". Biography.
7. Linn, Roberta (18 May 1956). "Sheriff s Rodeo in Riverside Expected to Attract Thousands over Weekend". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Desert Sun. Retrieved 3 June 2019. Ben Hunter noted disc jockey who is "Honorary Mayor" of Hollywood. will serve as "Honorary Sheriff of the Rodeo.
8. Linkletter Installed as Hollywood 'Mayor'. Sep 5, 1957, Los Angeles Times
9. Lawrence Welk Elected Mayor of Hollywood. Sep 6, 1958, Los Angeles Times
10. Del Barco, Mandalit (March 27, 2008). "Pin-Up Queen Turns Hollywood Mayor Race Pink". NPR. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
11. "Hollywood's Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant". hollywoodchamber.net. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2018.