If you’re visiting Los Angeles from the United Kingdom, it’s fun to find a little bit of home smack dab in the middle of Hollywood. The United Kingdom has as much or more movie history as the United States, but getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is as important to actors from the British Isles as it to their American cousins. Car rentals in Los Angeles California make it easy to tour the whole city, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you’re visiting Los Angeles from anywhere in the United Kingdom, or you’re just interested in the British film industry, here’s a handy list of the biggest British stars honored with the star that never fades:
Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie’s ability to mimic an American accent fools a lot of TV viewers. His iconic portrayal of House on American TV made him an international star, but he’s British, right down to the Union Jack socks he wore when he got his star on the Walk of Fame in 2016.
Of course Laurie was already well-known in England for his portrayal of Bertie Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster on British television, with close friend Stephen Fry as the inimitable Jeeves. They also performed as Fry & Laurie on their own comedy sketch show. Fittingly, you’ll find Hugh Laurie’s star outside the Pig ‘n Whistle British pub on Hollywood Boulevard.
Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren is one of the most well-known British actresses working in today’s cinema. Mirren was born in London, and her most famous roles were portrayals of three different queens of England. She played Queen Charlotte in The Madness of King George, and Queen Elizabeth I for a made-for-TV miniseries. She won an Oscar for her portrayal of the reigning Queen Elizabeth as well. Mirren became a Dame of the British Empire in 2003. Car rentals in Los Angeles California make it easy to visit her star at the 6700 block of Hollywood Boulevard.
Colin Firth
Colin Firth is another actor made famous for playing a British monarch. His turn as King George the VI in The King’s Speech won a slew of awards. It was also one of the most successful productions ever made in the United Kingdom. Firth won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for his portrayal of the stammering prince who is suddenly thrust onto the throne when his brother abdicates. You can find Colin Firth’s star on the Walk of Fame very close to Helen Mirren’s. In movie terms, they’re also very close. Firth’s George VI was Helen Mirren’s Elizabeth II’s father!
Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh rose to stardom playing a southern belle in the antebellum United States in Gone With the Wind, but she was a British subject through and through. She was born in India when it was still part of the British Empire. Leigh was married to another luminary of the English stage and screen, Laurence Olivier.
Leigh had many other notable movie roles, like Blanche DuBois in Streetcar Named Desire, but she will always be remembered as Scarlett O’Hara. You can see her star on the 6700 block of Hollywood Boulevard.
The Beatles
The Hollywood Walk of Fame has stars for work in television, radio, live performance, music, and film. Only one performer, Gene Autry, has a star for each of these five specialties, but the Beatles surely qualify for all five, too. Everyone knows the Beatles for their superbly crafted record albums, wild live performances, and influence on pop culture. It’s easy to overlook the fact that they were popular actors as well. Of course they simply played themselves in A Hard Day’s Night, and Help!, but that’s a testament to how entertaining they were no matter what they set their mind to. In the UK, the Beatles were also well known for their Christmas radio broadcasts. Perhaps the Walk of Fame should consider making the Beatles the only other group with five stars. Look for their star on the north side of the 7100 block of Marshfield Way.
Car Rentals In Los Angeles California
The easiest way to see the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and many other notable sights, is by car. One of the most economical ways to hire a car is to use car rentals in Los Angeles California from Value Rental Car. They have short and long term rentals of late model cars for local driving, at rates other car rental companies can’t match. Call today to make your reservation!
Photo courtesy of the The Jon B. Lovelace Collection of California Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith’s America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division