July 31, 2008

Brian Keith’s star added to

Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

By Jennifer Larsen

News editor

Three dedicated volunteers from around the United States shared the spotlight on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on June 26, 2008, for the installation of Brian Keith’s star.

His widow, Victoria, and the Society To Advance Recognition (S.T.A.R.) for Brian Keith members Lynn Walker of Adams County, L.M. Lewis in Chicago and Cheri deFonteny of Los Angeles, spent the day on the Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard near Sycamore where the 2,365^th star was placed next to Walt Disney’s Star.

“It was amazing. I’m still not over it. We were all standing there, not believing it was real,” Walker said. “We kept going back to the star. I wouldn’t let anybody walk on the star.”

S.T.A.R. sent a payment of $25,000 to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on March 31, 2008.

Brian Keith, the actor known as Uncle Bill on Family Affair and Judge Hardcastle in Hardcastle and McCormick, was chosen as a posthumous recipient in the television category.

The group learned in June 2007, that Brian was selected posthumously for inclusion in the 2008 star recipients. Organizers swung into full gear to raise money for the star.

Recipients must agree to attend the dedication ceremony, according to the rules. As a posthumous recipient, Victoria must be at the ceremony to formally accept the star, as do the sponsors.

S.T.A.R. for Brian Keith submitted an application to the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 31, 2006.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Los Angeles City Board of Public Works, with final consent from the Los Angeles City Council, must approve the Committee’s selection.

The application was denied for inclusion in the 2007 honorees, but was automatically resubmitted for the 2008 round of recipients.

Stars included in the Walk of Fame are generally not funded by fans, Walker said. Jane Seymour’s star possibly was totally fan supported in 1999, according to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Organizers are unsure of the exact amount raised for the star, but they have contacted Victoria for her to choose a charity to receive the remaining amount.

The guest list at the installation ceremony was a homecoming for fans and stars alike. Topping the day was Daniel Hugh Kelly, who is best known for his role on Hardcastle and McCormick as ex-con Mark “Skid” McCormick.

Kelly was one of three guest speakers at the installation ceremony. Monsignor Sheridan, the Keith family priest, officially blessed the star, which is only the second time a star has been blessed, before Kathy Garver spoke for a few minutes about Brian.

After Kelly spoke for about five minutes about Brian – as a friend and Marine –Leron Gubler of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presented Victoria with a proclamation that officially deemed June 26 “Brian Keith Day.”

The highlight of the entire event was the chance for cast, crew and industry leaders to meet up with old friends, Lynn’s husband, Eric, said.

The Disney Corporation funded the reception following the installation ceremony. Lynn said that the industry giant was honored to be a part of the event, noting the friendship of Brian and Walt Disney as well as the numerous productions Brian starred in for Disney.

Rounding out the festivities was a tour of location spots – including Paradise Cove where three episodes were filmed, the estate grounds where Hardcastle and McCormick was shot and the show’s gate house.

The day after the reunion, Lynn organized a lunch for everyone at Barney’s Beanery in Santa Monica, which, by chance, was the location of the last cast wrap party for Hardcastle and McCormick.

“This was really a trip of a lifetime,” Lynn said.

Joe Santos, known for his roles as Detective Dennis Baker on The Rockford Files and as Lt. Frank Harper in Hardcastle and McCormick, was at the ceremony.

Special effects coordinator Terry Frazee, who ran the special effects department for Stephen J. Cannell Productions before moving into the film industry, joined the fanfare at the installation ceremony as well.

Some of Frazee’s recent films include Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), Hocus Pocus (1993) and the Hunt for Red October (1990).

Cannell also made an appearance despite a hectic schedule of preparing for the release and tour of his book, At First Sight: A Novel of Obsession, released in early July.

Lynn explained that she invited Brian’s co-workers, friends, family, representatives of the people he worked for, stuntmen, producers, directors, etc., to the event.

“People who really appreciated his career, that’s who we wanted there,” she said. “It was a time to honor his memory and appreciate what he’s done as an actor and a person.”

A DVD that features the installation ceremony, part of the reception, the Hardcastle and McCormick reunion and the estate tour will be available.

A Hardcastle and McCormick book is scheduled for release on Sept. 25, 2008, which is the 25^th anniversary of the pilot episode.

The book features bits and pieces from the set, candid shots, stunt performers’ photos of cars going through barns and one unfilmed script.

As of the first part of July, 700 pages were written. Lynn said the book could be presented in two volumes, with a hardcover release possible as well.

Lewis handled most of the writing and interviews for the book while Lynn focused on researching the content and making contact with people associated with the 1980s television series and deFonteny provided her expertise on specific sections.