Hollywood's Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant Dies
Tinsel Town is mourning an elder statesman. Johnny Grant, who died Wednesday at the age of 84, never became a star himself. But the honorary mayor of Hollywood did become a familiar — and beloved — face along one of the world's most famous boulevards.
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MICHELE NORRIS, host:
Tinseltown is mourning one of its great showmen. Johnny Grant, the honorary of mayor of Hollywood, died Wednesday. He was 84. Grant is perhaps best known for hosting star dedications on Hollywood's Walk of Fame as well as hosting the town's annual Christmas parade.
Mr. JOHNNY GRANT (Honorary Mayor of Hollywood): You're going to be an enthusiastic crowd? Yeah, okay, all right. Save it, save it, save it.
NORRIS: Johnny Grant got his big break in New York, hosting a game show called "Stop the Clock." But he always had his heart set on the other coast.
Mr. GRANT: In class, I would - should have been thinking about my studies, but I was really dreaming about coming to Hollywood and being a part of it.
NORRIS: And he did just that, hosting a string of popular L.A.-based programs as well as bit parts in "White Christmas" and "The Lucy Show." In later years, Grant emceed thousands of events, most of them in his beloved Hollywood, from parades to telethons, charity fundraisers to celebrity roof-raisers(ph). Tinseltown's elder statesman was usually there among the stars, enjoying the view.
(Soundbite of song "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails")
Mr. TONY BENNETT (Singer): (Singing) For I'll be there, putting down the top hat, mussing up my white tie, dancing in my tails.
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