Other attendees started to arrive….Della
Reese made her way to the section with seats and was greeted by Kathy Prinze who actively tried to make sure everyone got
introduced to each other. Isaac Ruiz, Paul Williams, and Luis Miguel were in attendance with their wives. Dusty
Snyder, Ron De Blasio, George’s co-star from his recent movie Lisa Vidal who also starred on the Lifetime Television
series “ The Division” and General Hospital actress Kimberly McCullough were among those who gathered to celebrate.
The murmur of the crowd grew louder as Freddie Jr. arrived and began his walk from his vehicle toward the ceremony area where
everyone was gathered. Many in the crowd ran over yelling out Freddie Jr’s name to get autographs and take pictures.
Kathy had a free moment and turned in my direction as I was taking a photo of her and smiled sweetly. I took the
opportunity to call out her name and ask if she could come over to where we stood at the barricades. She graciously
came over and I asked her if it might be possible to have a picture with her or with her and Freddie Jr. As she
looked over to where Freddie was keeping up with the many people who were weaving in and out of his conversations in preparation
for the start of the ceremony , she said “
I’m not sure about Freddie but I can take one with you”. She commented on the weather in Phoenix when she
left that morning and her choice of clothing that didn’t fit the unexpected weather in Hollywood that day. She
asked if her hair was flat to which I replied that it wasn’t at all. I told her that I had a tribute website for
Freddie to which she quickly asked what the name of the site was. When I told her “The Sweet Laughterman”
she quickly replied that she believed she had been to it, to which I was very surprised . We took the picture and spoke
for a few more moments before she returned to welcoming attendees. My daughter and I discussed the fact that she was
very kind during our interaction, talked freely, and did not make us feel as if we were an imposition or that she needed to
rush off .
Once Freddie Jr. had arrived the crowd behind
the barricades along with the many press photographers became quite loud yelling for Freddie Jr, George, and the other attendees…..
vying for photo angles , autographs and hopefully some fan interaction. We had a great view when we first took our position
at the barricades but had to adjust as the ceremony began as several photographers decided that where we were standing would
be a good position for them and moved in front of us from the press area they already had. My intention was to get good
photographs and video to share with other fans in my “Freddie Family” who I knew stood alongside me in spirit
even though they were not able to attend. So, as the ceremony started we constantly had to weave behind the moving press
who “invaded” our view.
As Johnny Grant began the ceremony I felt all
of the emotions that had been swirling around me for the past hours intensify and my body began to tremble slightly and my
hands began to shake a little. Between changing positions each time a photographer moved in front of me to the horror
I was feeling that my hands were shaking and that it would affect the video camera shots and somehow ruin the intent to share
the footage with my “ Freddie Family” along with the joy that finally Freddie was receiving this honor…..I
am not sure how I remained standing.
After Johnny Grant and Ron Gugler from the Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce spoke, Johnny called Freddie Jr. up to stand beside him by the podium. Johnny read through
a short biography of Freddie Prinze’s accomplishment’s as Kathy Prinze, George Lopez and other’s watched
from a storefront alcove where they had taken refuge from the sun. During Johnny Grant’s speech he mentioned the
two catch phrases that Freddie was famous for and it was quite funny to hear Johnny Grant say “Eee’s Not My Job”
and then encourage the crowd to yell out the same phrase. He did the same with “Looooookin’ Good”
again encouraging the crowd to yell that famous phrase back……..which we did.
Johnny then introduced George Lopez mentioning
his accomplishments and the fact that he had nominated Freddie for his star and sponsored the star for Freddie. George
made his way up to the podium and stood next to Jr . The first sentence out of George was “Hey everybody, first
I want to say…..Looooookin’ Good”. It was a perfect presentation of Freddie’s phrase spoken
with the exact inflection and tone that Freddie used so many times in the past. George spoke of Freddie’s inspiration
upon his life and how there wouldn’t be a George Lopez Show if there hadn’t been Freddie. He said that Freddie
was his comedic inspiration, referred to his relationships with Kathy , Ron DeBlasio and Freddie Jr… and he thanked
“ Maria in Puerto Rico, Freddie’s mom, for sharing him with us”. He spoke of being connected creatively
with Freddie Jr’s show in development with ABC and how he hoped it would air in the same hour behind his show.
He added that Freddie was now “forever amongst the great stars in Hollywood as he is in my heart.” George
and Jr. hugged as he left the podium stage.
After George left the podium stage,
Johnny Grant introduced Della Reese. He spoke of her acting accomplishments as well as mentioning her current occupation
of Reverend. In true Della style she spoke of how she was glad that Freddie would finally have the recognition “he
so dearly deserved” and thatit
“should have happened a long time ago”.
When Della exited the stage Johnny Grant
began Freddie Jr’s introduction , listing his accomplishments. Freddie Jr’s face was a canvas of raw emotion
as he began to speak. He tried to fight back the tears as he spoke but his voice wavered the entire time. You
could see so much on his face…pride…love….happiness….and what seemed to myself to be a bit of anguish
as he moved to speak through his emotions. Seeing the rawness of emotions on Jr’s face……. hearing
his voice tremble as he spoke…...this is where this “Freddie Fan” finally lost it. I believe that
at that moment I knew Freddie was in attendance, watching his son…surrounding him with his love.
I did my best to hold the camera up though my
entire body was shaking uncontrollably as I sobbed. My sight was completely blurred at this point from the mascara burning
my eyes , but my daughter and I couldn’t exchange cameras without losing the footage of his speech so my daughter helped
to keep the camera pointing in the right direction as Freddie Jr. continued his speech. Freddie Jr. said “I always
feel overwhelmed when it comes time to speak of my father.” During his speech he had to pause to gather himself
many times and steady his voice. It proved to be a bit too difficult to stay composed when he stated “This is
for my family….my mother……who has tirelessly loved him…..and to my grandmother in Puerto Rico who
has honored his name more than I could ever dream to…..I love them both…..I love my family.
Johnny Grant then read an excerpt of the Proclamation
signed by the City Council and the Mayor of Los Angeles that enabled Mr. Grant to loudly proclaim it “Freddie Prinze
Day in Hollywood !” as applause and a loud cheer rose up from everyone. Freddie Jr. stepped down from the podium
stage directly into an embrace from George Lopez . Della, Kathy, Freddie Jr., George, Johnny Grant and Ron Gugler weaved
through the crowd and gathered at Freddie’s star which was still covered with the Walk of Fame star cover. Johnny
Grant spoke a few words and Ron Gugler pulled the cord and the cover off of Freddie’s star which was surrounded by the
red carpet. George Lopez stood up to stretch after the first photos of the moment and raised his hands in a “two
thumbs up” salute. The press immediately began the “insanity of the photo op”. Just imagine
40-50 voices strong all yelling directions at once. “Freddie left”… “George, over here”…..….
the chaos of celebrity played out in front of us. One member of the press tried to convince Freddie to be the first
to stand on his dad’s star to which Freddie quite graciously evaded the urging from the photographer. Another
member of the press yelled out “George Lopez….don’t take the star home !” which caused an eruption
of laughter. Freddie Jr. remained long after the ceremony talking with friends and attendees and posing for photographers
as the crowd behind the barricade and attendees alike started to filter away. By the time Freddie Jr. finally made his
way to his vehicle the barricades had been removed, the stage and press area dismantled, and only the few attendees
left that had been speaking with Freddie were leaving the area. A few people waited en route to Freddie Jr’s car
to get a last photo or try for an autograph.
As we walked down the sidewalk to
Freddie’s star I felt so incredibly grateful that I lived close enough to have been able to witness the events of the
day…….Freddie Prinze Day in Hollywood. We stopped at Freddie’s star and took the last photos and video
of the day. As I panned down the sidewalk from Freddie’s star with the video camera…..the joy I felt was
overwhelming. Freddie Prinze, whom I fondly refer to as “The Sweet Laughterman” was given recognition……a
tribute that would last forever on the streets of Hollywood………finally !
