California Hall of Fame Inducts Schwarzenegger, Curtis, and More
California’s 19th class of Hall of Fame inductees, announced Tuesday, includes a diverse group of individuals who have significantly impacted the state, nation, and world. The group features Hollywood icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis, alongside Olympic champions Janet Evans and Carl Lewis, and several other distinguished figures.
A Diverse Class of Achievers
The inductees, selected by Governor Gavin Newsom, represent a wide range of fields, including acting, athletics, literature, culinary arts, and music. They will be formally enshrined during a ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento on March 19, celebrating their contributions to civic life, creativity, and social progress according to Governor Newsom’s office.
Hollywood Legends Honored
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 78, former Governor of California (2003-2011) and a renowned actor and bodybuilder, is among those being honored. His career spans multiple fields, including bodybuilding titles, action film success, and political leadership. Jamie Lee Curtis, 67, a Santa Monica native, is an Academy Award-winning actress, having received the Best Supporting Actress award in 2023 for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” The two actors famously co-starred in the 1994 action blockbuster “True Lies” as reported by Wikipedia.
Olympic Greats Recognized
Janet Evans, 54, a four-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer, and Carl Lewis, 64, considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century with 10 Olympic medals (nine gold), are also being inducted. Evans currently serves as chief athletic officer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Other Inductees
Rounding out the class are:
- Riane Eisler, 88, author of “The Chalice and the Blade,” examining the history of partnership between men and women.
- Terry McMillan, 74, bestselling author of novels like “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”
- Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, 76, chef and owner of the Nobu restaurant chain.
- Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, the first all-woman mariachi ensemble.
- John L. Burton, former chair of the California Democratic Party (deceased in 2023).
Hall of Fame Criteria
To be eligible for induction, candidates must have lived in California for at least five years and have demonstrated achievements benefiting the state, nation, and world. Since its inception in 2006, 166 Californians have been selected for this honor.
“This year’s class embodies the very best of California — creativity, resilience and a spirit of community,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom in a statement.