Melba Moore is set to join the ranks of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame honorees, marking another milestone in her decades-long career.
The 77-year-old performer will be honored with the 2,760th star on the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recently announced. The star will be unveiled on Aug. 10, at 1645 Vine Street near the historic corner of Hollywood & Vine.
The Tony-Award winning and Grammy-nominated performer expressed her gratitude for the recognition in an Instagram post on Aug. 1.
“As I look back over my life in Harlem / Newark, I am proud. Receiving a Hollywood Star made me reflect on the goodness of God,” Moore shared. “It took me a lifetime to get here. I am a late bloomer. I am still trying to find the words.”
Moore’s star will be awarded in the Live Theater/Live Performance category. Sheryl Lee Ralph, Katt Williams, and Freda Payne are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.
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“We are very proud to honor Melba Moore, who has lent her beautiful five-octave voice to various genres of music. Not only is she an entertainer, she is an activist, a trailblazer, and so much more,” said Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez in a statement. “We know that many of her long-time fans will be lining up the day of her ceremony to see this musical gem as she is honored with her well-deserved Walk of Fame star.”
With a five-octave vocal range, Moore has made her mark in genres from R&B and pop, to jazz and gospel. Her journey to stardom, however, began on Broadway.
Moore made her Broadway debut in the original cast of HAIR in 1968, replacing Diane Keaton and becoming the first African-American woman to step into a lead role previously held by a white actress.
In 1970, Moore won a Tony Award for her role in Purlie, becoming the first Black actress to win in the category of Best Female Supporting Actress.
Her Broadway legacy includes performances in notable productions like Timbuktu alongside Eartha Kitt, Inacent Black, Ain’t Misbehavin, BKLYN, Chicago, and Les Misérables. Moore’s performance in Les Misérables also made history, making her the first Black woman to take on the lead role of Fantine in the musical.
Melba Moore’s Walk of Fame celebration will stream live on YouTube and at walkoffame.com on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at 11:30 AM PT.
