Brooklyn-born comedian Joy Behar, Host of ‘The View’, inducted at BBG’s celebrity ‘Walk of Fame’ ceremony
BP Adams Helped Relaunch ‘Welcome Back to Brooklyn’
Last weekend brought together many old friends that have worked for nearly half a century to bring notable Brooklynites home. Celebrities and notable figures in sports and public life with strong Brooklyn roots returned to their native borough to take a spot of tribute in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s (BBG) “Walkway of Fame.” This year’s inductee to BBG’s Celebrity Path was Joy Behar, a Williamsburg native.
Past recipients have included Jackie Robinson, Neil Diamond, Danny Kaye, Mary Tyler Moore, Lou Gossett Jr., Mae West, Jimmy Smits, Eubie Blake, Rosie Perez, Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Martha Raye, Lainie Kazan and Connie Stevens (just to name a few).
Speaking at the ceremony last weekend was former Chairman of Brooklyn Union Gas Company Bob Catell, one of the original sponsors of “Welcome Back to Brooklyn.” He paid tribute to Lou and Fran Zigman, who have acted as producers of countless programs saluting celebrities with Brooklyn roots, both in their current home, Los Angeles, and in New York City. Lou Zigman, a nationally known labor arbitrator in California, graduated from Lincoln High School. The Zigmans’ ability to garner celebrity participation in Brooklyn booster events has brought together a wide variety of celebrated comedians and singers who have Brooklyn roots — and memories.