Billie Jean King becomes first woman to earn star in new Hollywood Walk of Fame category
Tennis icon Billie Jean King made history on April 7, 2025, by becoming the first woman to receive a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame's newly created Sports Entertainment category.
The 81-year-old legend was celebrated in a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard, where she reflected on her early memories of playing tennis in Los Angeles and encountering stars like Lucille Ball and Doris Day.
Created in 2023, the Sports Entertainment category honors individuals who have demonstrated excellence and longevity in both sports and entertainment. King joins previous recipients Michael Strahan and the late Carl Weathers.
'Sports are entertainment, and as athletes, we love performing in front of an audience,' King said. She also emphasized the importance of celebrating women in sports and urged for more female representation on the Walk of Fame.
Speakers at the event included NBA legend Magic Johnson and actor Jamie Lee Curtis. Johnson praised King's influence beyond the court, while Curtis called her a symbol of power and advocacy.
King's illustrious career includes 39 Grand Slam titles and pivotal roles in founding the Women's Tennis Association and World Team Tennis. She was also an executive producer for PBS's Groundbreakers and appeared in several TV shows, including Law & Order and The Odd Couple.
Her Walk of Fame star honors not only her tennis achievements but her broader contributions to entertainment and equality.
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