We noticed that the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recently announced nominations are open again for the next crop of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That got us thinking about the names you find on Hollywood Boulevard and looking at who got stars and when. (Surely, you’ve gone down this rabbit hole yourself, right?)
And at some point, it surprised us when we realized that there was a name missing.
The King of Queens star, New York Times bestselling author, two-time Emmy Award winning producer of a hard-hitting docu-series, and in syndication with two of her shows… Leah Remini is not on the Walk of Fame?
We got even more curious when we checked with Leah’s team, and they told us that they’d nominated her for a star for the past five years in a row, and she’s been denied each time.
And looking at who has received stars in that time (and more on that below), these are big names and we think they all deserve the honor, but Leah’s resume is as good or better than many of those who were selected.
Well, you probably can figure out what our next thought was.
In her lawsuit, Leah’s attorneys have been providing stunning examples of the lengths the Church of Scientology will go to in its yearslong campaign to destroy Leah with social media smear campaigns, as well as in-person stalking and intimidation of her family members and business associates. It’s been constant and unrelenting for more than a decade, she alleges.
And given how much influence Scientology has had in Hollywood (where they are major landholders), could Leah’s highly visible work to expose Scientology’s abuses have something to do with her being repeatedly passed over for a star on the Walk of Fame?
We reached out to Ana Martinez, who handles press inquiries for the Walk of Fame, and she was a pleasure to speak with, and very helpful.
When we asked if Scientology had any influence over who is getting a star, she said it was not the case.
“It’s not true. They’re not in the room,” she says.
And just for the record, we asked if she was the “Ana Martinez” who is listed as a Patron (donation = $50,000) in Scientology’s publications. “Absolutely not,” she said. She assured us that she is not a Scientologist.
Martinez said she likes Leah Remini’s work very much, and said she hopes Leah continues to try.
“It’s a nomination process,” she says. “She does qualify. A lot of the people who are nominated do. But the committee chooses very few.”
Nominations for the class of 2025 opened on April 15, and will close on May 31. There’s a fee of $250 to nominate someone, and the nomination must not only include information about why the person qualifies, but also a note from the nominee themselves (or their management) agreeing to being nominated and promising to attend the star unveiling if they are chosen.
Oh, and there’s also the matter of promising to pay $75,000 if the person is chosen, to cover the costs of the ceremony.
Nominations can be made in six different categories: Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording, Live Theatre/Performance, and Sports Entertainment.
Martinez says that the committee receives a couple of hundred nominations each year, and selects only 20 or 30. So there are always going to be people who qualify but who are not selected.
The committee that actually chooses the winners is made up of previous awardees in each category. Only the identity of the committee’s chairperson, radio personality Ellen K, is known. The others are kept secret, so there’s no way of knowing who is on the committee that represents television.
Here are the five most recent classes in the television category:
2020: Christina Applegate, Andy Cohen, Cindy Crawford, Terry Crews, Harry Friedman, Kathie Lee Gifford, Nigel Lythgoe, Milo Ventimiglia, Burt Ward, Wendy Williams, Dr. Phil McGraw, Andy Kaufman (Posthumous)
2021: Nick Cannon, Courteney Cox, Marla Gibbs, Jenifer Lewis, Laura Linney, Judge Greg Mathis, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Sarah Paulson, Peter Roth, Christian Slater
2022: Byron Allen, Greg Berlanti, Ricky Gervais, Peter Krause, Bob Odenkirk, Holly Robinson-Peete, Norman Reedus, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jean Smart, Ming-Na Wen, Kenan Thompson
2023: Jon Favreau, Mindy Kaling, Martin Lawrence, Ralph Macchio, Garrett Morris, Ellen Pompeo
2024: Ken Jeong, Eugene Levy, Mario Lopez, Raul De Molina and Lili Estefan (El Gordo y La Flaca), Jim Nantz, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Schur, Kerry Washington
That’s a total of 48 people who received stars in the television category in the last five years, 30 men and 18 women.
Like we said, there are some great names here. But Leah Remini’s resume seems to stack up pretty well, doesn’t it?
Not only is The King of Queens in syndication 20 years after it first aired, but Leah’s current game show, People Puzzler, is also in syndication. Leah, 53, has been working consistently since she arrived in Hollywood at 16, demonstrating the lasting success that the committee is usually looking for. She’s also author of a number one New York Times bestseller, her memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, and she won two Emmy Awards as creator, producer, and host of her A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. She’s also won a Producers’ Guild award, a Critics Choice award, a Truth to Power award to name a few.
We’ve documented how Scientology’s influence in Hollywood has waned since it peaked in the 1990s, and increasingly we’re seeing television shows take shots at David Miscavige’s organization, which had previously gripped the town with fear of speaking out about it.
But the ties between the church and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which owns the Walk of Fame, have apparently remained in place. In 2016, when Miscavige opened the church’s large new studio, Scientology Media Productions, after renovating the old KCET complex on Sunset Boulevard, one of the speakers at the grand opening was Leron Gubler, who was then president of the Chamber.
“What happens here today carries a lot of weight. People are watching Hollywood and people take notice of what the Church does,” Gubler said. “And you are not only putting an anchor here. But you are providing outstanding opportunities to writers, directors and all manner of creative professionals to thrive in this unique environment. So let’s work together to take Hollywood to even greater heights.”
Does Leah Remini have a chance at a star on the Walk of Fame if the president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce had such glowing things to say about the Church of Scientology?
That was eight years ago. Have things changed? What better way for Hollywood to make a statement about its freedom from Scientology’s toxic influence than to recognize Leah Remini for her star power and her resilience.
“Please tell her to try again,” Martinez told us.
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Technology Cocktail
“When in better physical health the ‘insane’ pc is given just routine Standard Dianetics. But the sessions must be flubless and thoroughly within the Auditor’s Code as the “insane” can’t stand up to any goofs or overwhelm. These ‘insane’ pcs are most often simple cases of medically ill people—gallstones, malnutrition, deficiencies in certain vitamins, broken backs—the usual. To undertake to audit an ‘insane’ pc to sanity without complete attention to the above paragraphs is adventurous in our experience. But with these things given attention, the ‘insane’ pc often responds amazingly.” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1969
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.
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THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?
[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH
— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see
[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf
— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond
[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman [55] Mark Bunker [56] Trish and Liz Conley [57] Trish Conley [58] Alex Barnes-Ross [59] Alex Barnes-Ross [60] Alex Barnes-Ross [61] Alex Barnes-Ross [62] Alex Barnes-Ross [63] Alex Barnes-Ross [64] Tory Christman [65] Tammy Synovec [66] Dennis Erlich [67] Alex Barnes-Ross [68] Valerie Ross [69] Kat in Austin [70] Mark Bunker [71] Phil Jones
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“Well now look, Mary Sue has been working very, very hard to make an OT out of me and been working at it and working at it and she didn’t make the grade. I wanted to get OT today so I could give you some nice weather. And I just didn’t make it, I’m sorry. I only got thirteen banks back and got stuck, you know.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 20, 1963
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“PARTY: Barry, Cathy and Liz did a good job on the party. Decorations were by the Middies, Claire, Terri, Suzette, Ann and Janis. Barry gave out dancing prizes. For such courage above and beyond the line of duty, he was himself decorated. Well done to Div VI.” — The Commodore, April 20, 1970
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“We no longer need to address the problems in life via time and energy. We now have a thetan who no longer requires a via to give birth to a positive postulate; one moves forward simply postulating anew. A Scientological being is no longer part of the common denominator of existence: to survive. A higher harmonic, a higher level of ‘survive’ is to live in postulates. He is immortal and he knows it. If there is any time it is simply now. Now is when a true theta being exists continually. If one wants to change a current mockup, all one does is postulate the new mockup. We no longer need to look back into the past to resolve an unwanted condition.”
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2001: La Prensa reported that Scientology’s ship, the Freewinds, may be inspected for dangerous asbestos levels. “People of the Shipping Inspection expect problems in seriously dealing with the ‘Freewinds’. All buildings and ships built before 1970 were built with asbestos. All plates/panels on roofs are made of dangerous asbestos. According to a functionary of the Shipping Inspection, this is a material which provides good protection from fire. ‘Why should we begin refusing ‘Freewinds,’ when we know that all ships built before 1970 were fitted with that material? Then we would have to refuse the majority of ships,’ according to the statement. Richardson emphasizes that blue asbestos is not dangerous, as long as one does not come into contact with it. ‘We understand that the asbestos on board is in hard, and not powder, form. We will soon inspect the ‘Freewinds.’ We will do this together with Shipping Inspection and the Port Safety Inspection, since these are the the nautical authorities in this case,’ according to Richardson’s statement.”
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“Human nature isn’t that complex. If you strip away the unnatural veneer of civilization, what are you left with? Spend some time on the street and tell me human nature is complex. Human egotism is infinite is more like it.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Grand jury indictments include charges from an assault while in custody. Next pretrial hearing May 17, 2024.
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud.
Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Some defamation claims were removed by Judge Hammock. Leah seeking to amend her complaint.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: motion to file new complaint, hearing on May 29.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration, hearing on April 16.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.
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After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Jury selection in the Danny Masterson retrial: Today, the attorneys take over
[TWO years ago] Scientology knows it can get your cash with a Great Gatsby party, New Yorkers!
[THREE years ago] Scientology is always coming up with sneaky new ways to snag actors and other artists
[FOUR years ago] Tom Cruise on InTouch cover: Another completely oversold Scientology clip job
[FIVE years ago] Bull baiting and so much worse: Margery Wakefield on surviving Scientology
[SIX years ago] Joy Villa’s Scientologist husband shamed into dropping elephant skin bags from luxury line
[SEVEN years ago] As Clearwater votes, here’s a reminder of how L. Ron Hubbard had Scientology invade Florida
[EIGHT years ago] Disconnection, Miscavige style: How Scientology’s most powerful family came apart
[NINE years ago] AUDIO: Full police interviews of Scientology spies and their stalking of Ron Miscavige Sr.
[TEN years ago] Easter Sunday Funnies: David Miscavige has risen, & Scientology has more money than ever!
[ELEVEN years ago] African Queen: The Man L. Ron Hubbard Thought He Was
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Tammy Synovec has not seen her daughter Julia in 2,876 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 3,371 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,886 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 3,436 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 2,426 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 2,307 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 5,611 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 3,482 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 5,034 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 4,375 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,942 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,861 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 5,029 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 4,610 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,871 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,907 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 3,623 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 3,187 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 1,502 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 2,677 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 7,228 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 4,359 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 4,697 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 9,550 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 4,671 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 3,027 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 7,330 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 3,436 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,834 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 3,710 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 3,275 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,788 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 4,042 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 15,150 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 20, 2024 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
