There’s One Hollywood Walk of Fame Star You’re Not Allowed to Walk On
If you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll see thousands of pink stars in the sidewalks, honoring the biggest names in entertainment. From Marilyn Monroe to Michael Jackson, fans love stepping on the stars of their idols. But there’s one star you can’t walk on at all.
Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer, has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star that’s different from all the others. Instead of being on the ground, it’s mounted on the wall of the Dolby Theatre at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. Fans still visit it, but they have to look up instead of stepping on it.
The reason comes from Ali’s religion. When he was honored in 2002, the boxing champion requested that no one walk on the name “Muhammad.” Born Cassius Clay, he converted to Islam in the 1960s and took the name to honor the Prophet Muhammad.
“He did not want the name of Muhammad to be stepped on,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, explained. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce agreed to place the star on the wall, a first in the Walk of Fame’s history. During the ceremony, the star was even presented on an easel instead of being installed in the pavement.
Some people wonder why Ali, a professional athlete, got a Walk of Fame star at all. Usually, the honor goes to film, TV, music, or radio stars. Martinez explained that Ali was more than a boxer. “He was a showman,” she said. “He had two Grammy-nominated spoken word albums. He was an entertainer, as well.”
Ali’s vertical star has become a shrine for fans, especially after his death on June 3, 2016. Visitors often leave flowers, cards, and even boxing gloves at the site. Martinez herself placed a wreath with a card that read, “Float like a butterfly. Rest in peace, Mr Ali.”
Ali’s influence continues in pop culture. In 2024, he was featured in the Peacock series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, starring Dexter Darden as Ali, alongside Kevin Hart and Samuel L. Jackson. The show covered a real-life robbery on the night of Ali’s 1970 comeback fight.
Looking ahead, Amazon Prime Video is producing a new scripted series called The Greatest, starring Jaalen Best as young Cassius Clay. Executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Ali’s widow Lonnie Ali, the show will cover his life from the 1960 Rome Olympics to the famous 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle.” Showrunner Ben Watkins says it will focus on Ali’s spiritual journey, family, and activism, not just his fights.
Even today, Ali’s legacy is visible everywhere, from his vertical Hollywood star to his grave in Louisville, Kentucky. That unique star is a symbol of his faith, respect, and personal conviction, values that defined him as much as his boxing.
Tell us if you think other celebrities should be allowed to request vertical stars on the Walk of Fame in the comments.
