On June 20, 2003, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Elizabeth Montgomery was to be one of the 2004 recipients of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. More than four and a half years later, on January 4, 2008, Elizabeth’s long-overdue star became a reality.

A visit to the location at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. a few days prior to the Ceremony found the covered star already placed in the sidewalk.

At 8:30am on the morning of the Dedication, I, accompanied by Ross Allison, Jean Yannes, Jone Devlin and Tom Stevenson, arrived to find the star had been uncovered, and in the process of being cleaned and polished. With no other attendees in sight, I found our eyes were probably the first to see the star.

After taking a few photos and a trip down Hollywood Blvd. to Starbucks, we returned to find workers setting up for the ceremony. Still the only ones around, I captured the only video of  the set-up for the event.

After a period of an hour or so, people began to arrive, including various members of the Asher Family, Robert Foxworth, Erin Murphy, Bernard Fox, and Johnny Grant, the Honorary Mayor of Hollywood, who presided over the Ceremony.

Sadly, Mr. Grant passed away five days later (thanks Johnny, for saving the best for last!!).

As the large crowd of onlookers was forming and final preparation was underway, we were approached by the cameras of TV Land, who were looking for comments from die-hard “Bewitched” fans in regards to Elizabeth receiving her star. They spoke with Jone, my friend Steven Colbert, and myself, who all expressed how happy we were that it was finally happening, and how we had all grown up watching “Bewitched”.

It was then that it began to rain. Rain had been predicted, but I had hoped it would hold off until after the Ceremony, but as things got underway, it began to pour!!!

I had a great spot in view of the podium,  right next to a speaker, though my vision was occasionally blocked by the sea of umbrellas.

Johnny Grant took the stage and deemed the Ceremony underway. He gave a brief overview of Elizabeth’s life and career, and commented that she was looking down and laughing about the rain.

Next to speak was Liz Sheridan (“Seinfeld”, “ALF”), who was Elizabeth’s best friend. Ms. Sheridan told the story of how they met and how she lived above Elizabeth’s garage when she first came to Hollywood. She also spoke of how Elizabeth got her hooked on the horse races!!!

Robert Foxworth followed, commenting on the diversity of the roles Elizabeth took following “Bewitched”, and how, to each one, she brought a part of herself.

Finally, Billy and Rebecca Asher spoke of their Mother, and their love and admiration for her, and thanked the fans for their support of her work, and the determination to get her the Walk of Fame Star that she so rightly deserves.

All who spoke commented on how Elizabeth loved the rain, and was laughing at that moment!!

Finally, the Star was unveiled to all as Rebecca, Billy and Johnny Grant lifted the cover to thunderous ovation from the crowd!!!

The moment we had all been waiting for, for so long, had arrived!!!

The entire Asher Family, along wth Liz Sheridan and Robert Foxworth  posed for photos in front of the Star, as Rebecca held the commerative plaque presented to her by Johnny Grant.

As the Ceremony came to a close, the rain mysteriously let up. Perhaps it was Elizabeth herself playing a prank and giggling at all of us who were there to witness this great honor.

A by-invitation-only Reception followed at 12:30pm, a few blocks away, at Cinespace. Appetizers, an open bar, and screenings of  the “Hippie, Hippie Hooray” episode of “Bewitched” and “The Legend of Lizzie Borden” were on hand. It was a great opportunity to mingle with friends and Family, and pay tribute to Elizabeth Montgomery.

I would like to thank Rebecca Asher, and the rest of her wonderful Family, for including me, and my friends, in this once-in-a-lifetime event. As that day was also my birthday, I could not have asked for a better gift!!