Tim Burton receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame days before ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ hits theatres

Legendary filmmaker Tim Burton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 3.

Burton, famed for films like ‘Edward Scissorhands,’ ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ ‘Beetlejuice,’ and the 2022 series ‘Wednesday,’ called the recognition an ‘honour.’ He also expressed the special significance of his star's location, placed in front of an iconic Hollywood shop.

‘As a child, I used to come down here from Burbank on the bus, no adults. In fact, I was young enough to think these things were actually gravestones when I first came here,’ he said. ‘I realized John Wayne wasn't buried under that or other people,’ Burton shared.

‘But I used to come down here and visit the Larry Edmunds bookshop and come here and when I found out it was here, I almost started crying because I've been coming here ever since I was a little child and the store hasn't changed at all,’ he continued.

‘So for me, it's such an honor to have a star but also to have it right here in front of this incredible shop, museum, toy shop, everything. I used to spend my life here. Thank you so much,’ Burton added.

Among those attending were Burton's friends and collaborators, including actors Danny DeVito, Deep Roy, actress Monica Bellucci, and costume designer Colleen Atwood.

Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton, stars of Burton's 1988 film ‘Beetlejuice’ and its upcoming sequel, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ paid tribute to him.

‘Giving him this star is sort of like pinning a medal on Mount Everest for being the tallest mountain,’ said Ryder, who also starred in Burton's 1990 film, ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and the 2012 animated film ‘Frankenweenie.’

‘Tim has such a beautiful and unique understanding of the human heart. He knows the heartache of the misunderstood, the strange and unusual. He doesn't just understand them, he celebrates them,’ the actor continued.

‘Whether outcasts, oddballs, terrifying or hilarious, he gives them depth, humor and always a certain gallantry and he gives them their dignity. His heroes are the very outcasts that he loves,’ she added.

Ryder expressed deep gratitude for Burton, calling his friendship an ‘enormous gift’ and recalling how he affirmed her voice and confidence as a ‘weird kid,’ making it cool to be different.

Keaton, who starred in several Burton films, including ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Batman,’ shared memories of their early collaboration.

He vividly remembered walking onto the ‘Beetlejuice’ set for the first time, feeling a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

Keaton praised Burton's creative vision, remarking how it made him feel instantly comfortable. He added, ‘It's a rare joy to be around art, and even rarer to be part of it with Tim.’

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