Sumner Redstone
Sumner Redstone Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored media magnate Sumner M. Redstone with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Emcee Leron Gubler, President & CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and guest speaker Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Viacom helped Redstone unveil the 2,467th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Motion Pictures. Walk of Famers Robert Evans, Brian Grazer, and A.C. Lyles, as well as TV personality Julie Chen, Head of CBS Les Moonves, and Brad Grey head of Paramout Pictures Studio along with family and friends.
Redstone was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Michael, owned Northeast Theater Corporation in Dedham, Massachusetts, the forerunner of National Amusements and owner of the Boston branch of the Latin Quarter Night Club. Redstone’s education began at Boston Latin School, where he graduated first in his class. In 1944, after studying for a little more than two years at Harvard College, he was awarded a degree by Harvard University’s Special Board of Overseers. In 1947, he received his LL.B. from the Harvard University School of Law. He opened his own private practice and a few years later, joined his father’s theater chain, where history was made. Redstone has been CEO of National Amusements since 1967.
Today, Redstone is Executive Chairman of Viacom and CBS Corporation, two of the world’s premier media companies. Since being named chairman in 1987 Redstone has led Viacom to become one of the world’s largest entertainment and media companies, with operations that include well-known global networks such as MTV, VH1, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and TV Land. Under Redstone’s leadership as Chairman, Viacom acquired Paramount Pictures in 1993, and he has left his indelible mark on the historic studio, which is now celebrating its 100th year. CBS Corporation holds operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment including CBS, The CW, Showtime Networks, CBS Television Stations, CBS Television Studios, CBS Outdoor and Simon & Schuster.
Redstone has played a significant role in the affairs of the entertainment and communications industries. He is a member of the Advisory Council for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and is on the Board of Trustees for The Museum of Television and Radio. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Theatre Owners, and currently is a member of the Executive Committee of that organization. Before that, he was President of the Theatre Owners of America, which was then the major trade association representing motion picture exhibitors.
Redstone also devotes a large portion of his time and energy to civic and community affairs. Over the last several years, Mr. Redstone has designated more than $100 million in charitable grants to fund initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. He has donated $1.5 million to the Global Poverty Project towards eradicating polio and funded the establishment of the Cambodian Children’s Fund child rescue center along with research and patient-care advancements in cancer, burn recovery and mental health at several major non-profit healthcare organizations. Many of his major gifts have been focused on encouraging the acceleration of basic research into clinical trials and, ultimately, to individuals and their families. In addition to A Place Called Home, Mr. Redstone has supported such internationally-recognized programs as Autism Speaks, FasterCures/The Center for Accelerating Medical Solutions, based in Washington D.C.; the prostate cancer research of Dr. David Agus at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine; and the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Redstone has served as the Chairman of the Jimmy Fund (Children’s Cancer Research Foundation), and was a member of the Corporation of the New England Medical Center. He is a former Chairman of the Metropolitan Division of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
During the Carter Administration, he was appointed a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee of the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and in 1984, he was appointed a Director of the Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation. He also has served yearly as a judge on the Foundation’s select committee to award the annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, since the Award’s inception in 1990.
Redstone enjoys and takes pride in teaching, and has lectured at a variety of universities, including Harvard Law School and Brandeis University. While serving as a Law Clerk in the Court of Appeals, Mr. Redstone taught at the University of San Francisco. In 1982, he joined the faculty of the Boston University School of Law, where he created one of the nation’s first courses in entertainment law. In May 1994, Redstone received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Boston University.
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The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies.
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