Full Breakdown
Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Vandalized and Replaced
9/2/2026, 7:46:12 PM
Incident Overview
A week after Dolly Parton’s death at age 80, her Hollywood Walk of Fame star was found with extensive dark scratches that obscured her name. The damage was reported by a fan on social media, who said a custodian told her a woman had kicked candles and the shards scratched the brass emblem. The star, located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, had already been slated for repair because of existing cracks, but the vandalism prompted an immediate replacement effort. Crews began work on Tuesday, removing the damaged brass center and the surrounding terrazzo panel.
Background & Context
Parton received her first Walk of Fame star on June 14, 1984, in a dual ceremony with actor Sylvester Stallone while promoting the film *Rhinestone*. A second star was added in 2018 for her work with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Following her death on August 25, 2026, fans gathered at the site, leaving flowers, candles and personal mementos that later had to be cleared to allow the scheduled repairs to proceed.
Official Statements & Responses
Ana Martinez, spokesperson for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and producer of the Walk of Fame, confirmed that the star was already on the Hollywood Historic Trust’s repair list for cracks. She said the vandalism was reported “yesterday” and that the crew had completed the first phase of the repair work. Executive Director Lily Weiner of the Hollywood Historic Trust added that the organization moved Parton’s repair timeline up after her passing and that the new star would be installed, cured, and polished by Friday for visitors. Law-enforcement agencies were contacted to determine whether a criminal investigation would follow.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The crew just completed the first part of making said repairs,” — Ana Martinez, of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
- “A fan went to the star yesterday and reported on social that the star was vandalized with many scratches,” — Ana Martinez, of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
- “This is a really hard post for me to make,” — Lainey Mae
- “It still doesn’t feel real that she’s gone,” — Lainey Mae
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise moment the scratches appeared. Some reports state the vandalism was noticed “yesterday,” while others note that it was unclear exactly when the damage occurred. No official timeline for a police investigation has been provided, and the identity of the individual responsible remains unknown.
What’s Next
The Hollywood Historic Trust plans to install a replacement star, cure the new terrazzo panel, and polish the brass emblem on Friday. Once completed, the star will again be accessible to the public, allowing fans to pay tribute to Parton’s legacy at the historic landmark.
