James L. Brooks Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for Television Legacy

James L. Brooks earned the 2,830th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category. The ceremony marked recognition for his creation of groundbreaking series like ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’, ‘Taxi’, and ‘The Simpsons’. Brooks, a three-time Oscar winner and 22-time Emmy recipient, unveiled the star at 6910 Hollywood Boulevard near the El Capitan Theatre.

The event unfolded at 1 p.m. Pacific Time, emceed by Marc Malkin of Variety. Speakers included Jamie Lee Curtis and Danny DeVito, both frequent collaborators. Attendees encompassed Marilu Henner and Rhea Perlman from ‘Taxi’, alongside Woody Harrelson from Brooks’ latest project.

Curtis opened with a candid reflection on career gaps. She credited Brooks for roles in ‘As Good as It Gets’ and ‘Terms of Endearment’. “Yes, I sold yogurt that makes you sh*t for seven years for money,” Curtis quipped, referencing her Activia commercials.

DeVito recounted his 1978 audition for Louie De Palma in ‘Taxi’. He described arriving nervous and improvising a line about the character’s hat. Brooks hired him on the spot, launching DeVito’s iconic run across 114 episodes from 1978 to 1983.

Brooks accepted the honor with self-deprecating humor. “After enduring so many early days of fearing I’d end up in the gutter, you can imagine how heavy it feels to have this solid hunk of sidewalk,” he stated. He thanked his family, including son Joey Brooks, present at the podium.

The star’s unveiling preceded ‘Ella McCay’s release by one day. Brooks wrote, directed, and produced the comedy, starring Emma Mackey as a lieutenant governor navigating family chaos. Albert Brooks plays her mentor, resigning for an Obama cabinet post in the 2008 storyline.

Brooks’ career began in 1965 with David L. Wolper documentaries. He co-created ‘Room 222’ in 1969 before MTM Enterprises. There, with Allan Burns, he developed ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’, running 193 episodes from 1970 to 1977 and earning 29 Emmys.

‘Taxi’ followed, blending comedy with blue-collar realism over five seasons on ABC and NBC. It secured 18 Emmys, including three for outstanding comedy series. Brooks executive produced alongside James Burrows.

As ‘The Simpsons’ executive producer since 1989, Brooks shaped 35 seasons and over 750 episodes. The series holds the record for most Emmys won by a scripted program, totaling 35. His contributions extended to films like ‘Broadcast News’ in 1987, nominated for seven Oscars.

The Walk of Fame, completed in 1961 with 1,558 stars, now totals 2,830. Ceremonies stream live on walkoffame.com and later on YouTube. Sponsors fund installation, estimated at $50,000 per star, covering maintenance for five years.

Curtis highlighted Brooks’ empowerment of women in storytelling. ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ featured Mary Richards as a single career woman, unconventional for 1970s TV. It influenced ensembles like ’30 Rock’ and ‘The Good Place’.

DeVito praised Brooks’ collaborative style. During ‘Taxi’, Brooks fostered improvisation, allowing actors like Judd Hirsch and Tony Danza to refine dialogue. The set emphasized ensemble chemistry over star vehicles.

Harrelson joined for ‘Ella McCay’ promotion. He portrays Mackey’s philandering father, clashing with her political ascent. The film blends 1940s comedy homage with modern satire, echoing Brooks’ ‘I’ll Do Anything’ intent.

Brooks’ Oscars stem from ‘Terms of Endearment’ in 1983. He won best picture, director, and adapted screenplay for the Shirley MacLaine-Debra Winger drama. It grossed $108 million domestically, adjusted for inflation over $300 million.

The ceremony aligned with awards season momentum. ‘Ella McCay’ eyes Golden Globe nods in comedy categories. Mackey’s performance draws early buzz for breakout potential post-‘Sex Education’.

Perlman recalled her ‘Taxi’ arc as Zena, appearing in 28 episodes. She credited Brooks for nuanced side characters, avoiding stereotypes. Henner echoed this, noting ‘Taxi’s focus on diverse immigrant stories.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce selected Brooks via peer committee. Ana Martinez, producer of Walk of Fame events, called him an “indelible mark” on entertainment. Past honorees include Norman Lear and Garry Marshall.

Brooks’ Peabody Awards, four in total, recognize ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ twice and ‘Taxi’ once. His influence spans animation via ‘The Simpsons’ cultural footprint, referenced in over 100 films and series.

DeVito closed by toasting Brooks’ longevity. At 85, Brooks remains active, scripting ‘Ella McCay’ amid health challenges. The star cements his shift from latchkey kid in North Bergen, New Jersey, to industry titan.

Curtis invoked Brooks’ early journalism. As a teen, he interviewed Louis Armstrong, asking about trumpet maintenance. That curiosity fueled his narrative drive across decades.

The event streamed to global audiences, amplifying Brooks’ legacy. With ‘Ella McCay’ debuting Friday, the timing spotlights his return to features after ‘How Do You Know’ in 2010. Box office projections estimate $15 million opening weekend.

Harrelson lauded Brooks’ family-centric themes. ‘Ella McCay’ explores generational politics, mirroring ‘Terms of Endearment’s mother-daughter bond. Albert Brooks’ cameo adds meta layers to mentorship dynamics.

The Walk of Fame star joins Brooks’ accolades shelf. His production company, Gracie Films, backed ‘Jerry Maguire’ and ‘As Good as It Gets’. Both earned multiple Oscar nods, with the latter winning five.

As confetti fell, Brooks posed with DeVito and Curtis. The trio evoked ’80s collaborations, underscoring enduring friendships. Joey Brooks, a filmmaker, filmed the ceremony for family archives.

This honor precedes potential EGOT completion. Brooks holds Emmy, Oscar, Grammy for ‘The Simpsons’ theme, and Tony via producing ‘The Iceman Cometh’. Only the Tony eludes full status.

The ceremony reinforced Hollywood’s institutional memory. Brooks’ star at 6910 Boulevard neighbors Viacom sites, tying to ‘Taxi’s Paramount origins. Tourists now trace his path from news usher to sidewalk immortal.