Alternately dubbed the "Honorary Mayor of Hollywood" and "Mr. Hollywood," Johnny Grant earned those monikers for his almost constant presence at Tinseltown events, and his status as the regular emcee at celebrity inductions into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During Grant's career, in fact, he reportedly inducted over 500 such individuals. Another key aspect of his career involved maximizing Hollywood publicity -- spreading the news of Hollywood events to people across the country, via red-carpet celebrations, premieres, Christmas parades,and the like.
A Goldsboro, NC, native, Grant began his career in journalism, initially as a cub reporter for WGBR radio. Following a period of WWII military service, he first hosted the television game show Stop the Clock, then subsequently trekked off to Hollywood and established himself as an actor, essaying occasional supporting roles in films including The Babe Ruth Story (1948), White Christmas (1954), and The Oscar (1966). During periods of global conflict including the Vietnam and Korean wars, Grant also joined actor/comedian Bob Hope as a globe-trotting USO "goodwill ambassador." Additional jobs included working as a White House correspondent for KMPC Radio and hosting the television programs Johnny Grant at Universal Studios and Johnny Grant Backstage in Hollywood.
In 1980, Grant's "Honorary Mayor" tag became concrete when the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce officiated this status. Grant made one of his last film appearances as himself in the 2003 Harrison Ford police comedy Hollywood Homicide. He passed away in January 2008.
