- Jean Simmons (September 24, 1953) #105
- Danny Thomas (January 26, 1954) #106
- James Mason (March 30, 1954) #107
- Yul Brynner (March 22, 1956) #112
- Deborah Kerr (March 22, 1956) #112
- Elizabeth Taylor (September 26, 1956) #113
- Rock Hudson (September 26, 1956) #113
- George Stevens (September 26, 1956) #113
- Rosalind Russell (February 19, 1959) #115
- Cantinflas (December 28, 1960) #116
- Doris Day (January 19, 1961) #117
- Natalie Wood (December 5, 1961) #118
- Charlton Heston (January 18, 1962) #119
- Sophia Loren (July 26, 1962) #120
- Kirk Douglas (November 1, 1962) #121
- Paul Newman (May 25, 1963) #122
- Joanne Woodward (May 25, 1963) #122
- Jack Lemmon (June 29, 1963) #123
- Shirley MacLaine (June 29, 1963) #123
- Hayley Mills (February 22, 1964) #125
- Dean Martin (March 21, 1964) #126
- Peter Sellers (June 3, 1964) #127
- Debbie Reynolds (January 14, 1965) #128
- Marcello Mastroianni (Feb 8, 1965) #129
- Frank Sinatra (July 20, 1965) #130
- Julie Andrews (March 26, 1966) #131
- Dick Van Dyke (June 25, 1966) #132
- Steve McQueen (March 21, 1967) #133
- Sidney Poitier (June 23, 1967) #134
- Anthony Quinn (December 21, 1968) #135
- Danny Kaye (October 19, 1969) #136
- Gene Kelly (November 24, 1969) #137
- Ali MacGraw (December 14, 1972) #139
- Jack Nicholson (June 17, 1974) #140
- George Burns (January 25, 1979) #144
- John Travolta (June 2, 1980) #145
- Burt Reynolds (September 24, 1981) #146
- Sylvester Stallone (June 29, 1983) #148
- Clint Eastwood (August 21, 1984) #151
- Eddie Murphy (May 14, 1987) #153 and Hollywood's 100th Anniversary
The Ceremony of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell
John did not get the pleasure to perform the ceremony of the footprints to be set for Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell at the Hollywood Chinese Theatre, back in June 27, 1953. However, his work began the ceremony just afterwords... and so his story begins... (In some photos and/or videos, you will find that the Mayor Johnny Grant would regularly interview John Tartaglia.)
In the Words of Michael Tartaglia (A More Comprehensive Untold Story of the Hollywood Footprints)
In 1953, Grauman's Chinese Theatre was remodeled for the first picture filmed in a new process called Cinemascope. That movie was called "The Robe”. Jean Simmons was chosen to be honored with her hands and feet in cement to commemorate the opening of the picture.
Jean Klossner "Mr. Footprint" was the man who performed the world-famous footprint ceremonies from 1926-1957 but he refused to continue do so after having a feud over payment with Sid Grauman.
Charles Skouras bought the Chinese Theatre which became part of a chain of theatres for his company known as Fox West Coast Theatres.
At the time, Grauman's Chinese Theatre sponsored the footprint ceremonies so, therefore, they were responsible for finding someone to do the job.
They sent someone to the theatre during the remodeling and asked to speak to the man in charge of the remodeling. That man was J. Walter Bantau, head of construction for Fox West Coast Theatres.
Mr. Bantau was asked if he could recommend someone for the job. He recommended his young assistant, John Tartaglia.
When John was asked if he would do the footprints, he said "Yes!" He was told it was just a temporary job until Jean Klossner would take over and so what began as a temporary job would last for 34 years as Jean Klossner never returned and in those 34 years, John Tartaglia would enshrine 40+ celebrities in cement using cement and a special hardener that he himself chose and had mixed together according to his instructions.
John appeared on 2 television shows because of his work. The first was “Art Link Letters” house party and the 2nd was "I've got a Secret" with Steve Allen.
And yet, after 34 years of service to Hollywood for doing the footprints, Hollywood has never honored him for his service and dedication to the job.
John never charged for his services, only the materials needed, because he worked for the company which owned the theatre.
But after John retired, he was called to do Eddie Murphy's footprints in 1987 and because he was retired, he charged $300.00 for his services.
William Hertz was District Manager for National General Corporation which then owned the Chinese Theatre.
John gave his bill for $300 to William Hertz who was insulted to be billed for what he thought was a free service. But John told him he was retired and therefore had a right to charge for his services.
That was John Tartaglia's thanks for 34 years of service to Hollywood and for coming to the rescue when they needed someone to do the footprints.
I know all this to be true because I am his son.
Sincerely,
Michael Tartaglia
