The Only Two Women With Three Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars
Just two women have earned three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a rare achievement that underscores the ongoing gender gap in this iconic honor.
Flying into Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign is impossible to miss, but it ’s the Walk of Fame that truly captures the city’s spirit of entertainment. Stretching along Hollywood Boulevard, this famous sidewalk honors the legends of film, television, music, radio, and theater. Yet, beneath the glitz, a stark imbalance remains—one that’s especially clear when you look at who gets recognized.
Animated icons are a case in point.
While Mickey Mouse received his star in 1978, Minnie Mouse had to wait four entire decades before she got hers,
a delay that speaks volumes about the slow pace of progress for women in the industry. This isn’t just about cartoon characters; it’s a pattern that runs deep through the Walk’s history.
Breaking Barriers in Hollywood Recognition
Out of the 33 people who have been honored with stars in three different categories, only two are women. The list of men with this distinction includes household names like Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny. But the achievements of the women who reached this milestone are just as remarkable—and deserve to be celebrated.
Dinah Shore was the first woman to earn three stars. Her career spanned radio, television, and music, but she didn’t stop there. She published cookbooks, hosted her own celebrity golf tournament, and collected an impressive array of awards, including nine gold records, ten Emmys, and a Peabody. Her stars can be found on both sides of the 6900 block of Hollywood Boulevard and on the west side of the 1700 block of Vine Street.
Gale Storm: A Star in Every Sense
The only other woman to achieve this rare honor is Gale Storm. Born Josephine Cottle in Houston, she arrived in Hollywood at 17 and quickly made a name for herself. Her film career took off in the 1940s, and by the 1950s, she was starring in hit TV shows like My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show. Her talents extended to music as well, with a string of top ten hits that made her a household name.
Storm’s three stars recognize her work in television, music, and radio. Her journey from Texas to Hollywood is a testament to her talent and determination, and her place on the Walk of Fame is well earned.
Gender Disparity in Hollywood Honors
Despite their achievements, Dinah Shore and Gale Storm remain the only women among 33 three-star honorees—a list otherwise dominated by men. Their stories highlight the ongoing struggle for equal recognition in the entertainment world. As for animated characters, it’s hard not to wonder how long it will take for Minnie Mouse to join the three-star club herself.