Writer and filmmaker John Waters joked recently that he’s “always been trying to steal Vincent Price’s career,” but now he’s linked to a different horror-meister on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
Waters received his terrazzo and brass star nearly three years ago in front of Larry Edmunds Bookshop at 6644 Hollywood Boulevard, a store that fittingly carries Waters’ books. There were so many stars on the block that the organizers started a new row for Waters’ star. “Here I am! Closer to the gutter than ever!” Waters proclaimed.
But a recent visit shows that another star has been added right next to the one dedicated to Baltimore’s Pope of Trash, who just turned 80.
The new star honors Robert Englund, the actor and director best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” horror movie franchise. The 2,826th star on the famous walk, it was unveiled last Halloween – a time of year when many of the Nightmare movies were released.
Although the two stars are in the same row on the sidewalk, they face different directions. The name on Waters’ star can best be read by people walking one way, and Englund’s star is meant to be read by people walking the opposite way. It’s as if the two figures were back-to-back.
Sean Hathwell, a longtime bookshop staff member, said the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce added to Waters’ row because it was running out of space otherwise. He said Englund was joined at his ceremony by Heather Langenkamp, who portrayed the resourceful heroine in the ‘Nightmare’ franchise, and director Eli Roth.
Englund, 78, “drew a big crowd, but not as big as John’s,” he said.
Other stars close to Waters’ star honor actor John Cusack, “singing cowboy” Gene Autry and writer Ray Bradbury. Also recently added nearby were stars honoring Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, unveiled in a rare double ceremony at 6930 Hollywood Boulevard on April 30, and Tim Burton, whose star is in front of Hollywood Toys & Costumes at 6600 Hollywood Boulevard.
Burton’s event drew a big crowd, but also not as big as Waters’, Hathwell said.
Waters received his Walk of Fame star on Sept. 18, 2023, in the Motion Pictures category. It was the Walk’s 2,763rd star. Hundreds crowded in fro nt of Larry Edmunds Bookshop and behind barriers across the street to hear remarks by him, actresses Mink Stole and Ricki Lake, and photographer Greg Gorman.
Vincent Price, known for his villainous roles in the horror genre, has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television. Waters compared himself to Price when he announced in February that he would be in the 13th season of “American Horror Story.”
“I’m typecast,” he told a Valentine’s Day audience at Baltimore Soundstage. “I’m always either the devil or Chucky’s father…I’ve always been trying to steal Vincent Price’s career.”
