LOS ANGELES – Billy Jean King will be the first woman to star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the new sports and entertainment category on Monday, joining her friend Magic Johnson and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis.
“The important thing is, I don’t want to be the last one,” the Hall of Fame tennis player told the crowd.
King won the 2,807th star near the famous Hollywood and Grape crossing across from the historic Pantage Theatre. The electronic mark read, “Star of Stars. Congratulations Billy Jean King.”
Fans gathered on the sidewalk outside the dumpling house, horns roaring and celebrity tour buses passing by on busy Hollywood Boulevard. The king’s wife, Ilana Cross, joined the photographer Clutch and took a photo of herself.
“You always fight for the right thing,” Johnson told the king above the king. “You lend your platform, your voice, your time and your money to make a difference.”
Johnson, like King, is a part of the Los Angeles Dodgers owner, and was recognized early in the White House for winning the 2024 World Series.
“We do the same,” he said. “We are very competitive like hell. We control freaks because if you put it in our hands, we know we will win. You are the winner in your entire life and you want to help people.
The ceremony reunited King with early WTA Tour players Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony, as well as retired athletic trainer Connie Spooner on the tour. They also five-time major champions Maria Sharapova and Stacy Alastar, former WTA CEO and current director of the US Open Tournament.
“Billie Jean King’s contribution is power,” Curtis said. “She is the power of the court, she is the power of the court, she is the power of the press, her power of public advocacy, her power of fighting for freedom, her ability to become who she is now.”
King grew up in Long Beach 34 miles south of Hollywood. She played for Los Angeles and the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, where she found stars such as Lucille Ball and Doris Day.
“My family loved music and movies,” she said. “Growman’s movie in Chinese theatre, the trip to Hollywood, was a special treat for our family. My mother would have loved this.”
King attended the 2008 Oscar-winning actor Holly Hunter’s star ceremony.
“I remember thinking back then, ‘Oh, this is really cool, this is incredible,'” she said. “Oh, I’m not going to get this.” I’m here. “
King first stepped on the bronze star after discovering a few blocks east of where his longtime friend Elton Johns is.
“Remember,” she said, “My star is yours.”
They also had Los Angeles Lakers owner Janie Bass, husband Jay Mall, rapper Flav, race car driver Katherine Reguet and Emmy-winning screenwriter Jane Anderson.
In January, King served as the grand marshall for the 136th Rose Parade, winning a Congressional gold medal last year.