Johnny Grant: 1923-2008

Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood poses for photographers in Los Angeles on May 20, 2005. Grant, the avuncular honorary mayor of Hollywood who traveled the world as Tinseltown's No. 1 cheerleader for more than a half-century, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. He was 84.

Flowers and a message rest beside the star of Johnny Grant on the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside the Kodak Theater in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008. Grant, the jolly honorary mayor of Hollywood who traveled the world as Tinseltown's chief ambassador for more than a half-century, died Wednesday of natural causes. He was 84.

Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant, center with black hat, honors The Munchkins from "The Wizard of Oz" as they receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. Grant was found dead in his 14th-floor suite at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel around 7 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2008. He was 84 and apparently died of natural causes.

Actor Matt Damon is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, left, in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Grant's mission in life was bringing the Tinseltown story to everyone. The native of Goldboro, N.C. hosted red carpet Oscar arrivals and Walk of Fame festivities, appeared in bit parts in movies, and produced Hollywood's annual Christmas Parade.

Actress Halle Berry hugs Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant at a ceremony in front of the Kodak Theater in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles at which Berry was honored with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Grant was perhaps best known as the jolly host alongside the more than 500 celebrities he inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Malika Dudley, Miss Hawaii, left, reacts after Johnny Grant, center, the honorary mayor of Hollywood, tricked her into kissing him on the lips on Jan. 11, 2006, as Grant welcomed the 2006 Miss America contestants to the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.

Honorary Hollywood Mayor Johnny Grant, left, holds up a cupcake as he celebrates his 80th birthday with friends, from left, Red Buttons, Mickey Rooney and Jan Rooney on May 10, 2003, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. On his 84th birthday in May 2007, Grant said of all his accomplishments in Hollywood, he was most proud of three things: the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood postmark.

Actress Patricia Neal, right, with Johnny Grant, holds a replica of her new star that was installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, May 20, 2005. In 1951, Grant joined Bob Hope as a USO ambassador, bringing entertainers to war zones to perform for U.S. military personnel during the Korean and Vietnam wars and battles in the Middle East.

Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, places flowers at the star for Oscar-winning actor Art Carney on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003, in Los Angeles. Grant, who died on Jan. 9, 2008, received his own star in 1980. His hands and feet are also immoralized in cement and he is the recipient of two Emmys.

Actress Susan Lucci is flanked by the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, left, and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Leron Gubler, right, during the ceremony where she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Friday, Jan. 28, 2005. The Hollywood Chamber named Grant Hollywood's honorary mayor in 1980, a position he held for the rest of his life.