Celebrating city and its residents, Pittsburgh Walk of Fame unveiled
Strip District space shines light on 'history of Pittsburgh and the personalities and the people who make it such a special place'
A new tribute to notable Pittsburghers debuted on Oct. 20 as the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame held its first induction ceremony at the Strip District Terminal. The 10 inaugural inductees included George Benson, Nellie Bly, Andrew Carnegie, Rachel Carson, Roberto Clemente, Michael Keaton, Fred Rogers, Jonas Salk, Andy Warhol and August Wilson. Granite blocks featuring bronze stars and details regarding the inductees were installed more than a week ago.
The site, which Pittsburgh television producer and emcee Rick Sebak called a “very cool addition to our city,” was years in the making.
Pitched by Nancy Polinsky Johnson and James Rudolph almost a decade ago, the project was inspired by similar walks of fame in other cities.
Rudolph credited Johnson’s perseverance and said seeing Pittsburgh’s Walk of Fame come to life is a “dream come true.”
Johnson agreed and said, “This really is a dream of mine that others have bought into.”
For nearly 90 minutes Monday morning, presenters celebrated inductees. Brief bios were shared. Photos were taken. Descendants and representatives of inductees delivered appreciative remarks. River City Brass Band performed.
Despite days of inclement weather, the sun shone — an unusual local occurrence, noted several speakers — throughout most of the program.
The program was met with steady, appreciative applause from the audience, though actor and former McKees Rocks resident Michael Keaton received the loudest cheer. As the event drew to a close, Keaton shared his pride in being from Pittsburgh and his appreciation for the impact the city has had on his life.
“There’s nothing like being recognized by your hometown,” Keaton said. “It’s the place that actually makes you who you are.”
Peering toward his designated space on the sidewalk, Keaton said, “This means the world to me.”
Keaton hopes the site impacts the masses, but “mostly kids,” he continued. When they “walk through here and they look down at this star of mine and the star of all these people, I hope they look up and they just wonder what’s possible.”
District 8 City Councilperson Erika Strassburger credited organizers with selecting inductees who represent various chapters in Pittsburgh’s story. Ranging in age, contributions to civic life and years spent both in the city and beyond, each inductee demonstrates that whether one achieves fame while living in Pittsburgh or elsewhere, “you’re still a Pittsburgher, and you’re doing great things representing the city.”
State Rep. Dan Frankel told the Chronicle he was delighted to partake in “something that shines a light on the history of Pittsburgh and the personalities and the people who make it such a special place.”
Each inductee, “in their own fields, changed not just the history of Pittsburgh, but the history of our country — the world in many cases,” he continued. “This is just a lovely opportunity to celebrate them and celebrate us.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
comments