Parsippany's shining star: Jane Krakowski headed for Hollywood Walk of Fame

Forty years after her movie debut in "National Lampoon's Vacation," Parsippany's Jane Krakowski is going to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

An initiative of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Walk has been a popular tourist destination since it was launched with eight stars in 1958. Stretching along both sides of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, the list grew to 1,500 by 1961. There are now more than 2,700 stars, representing celebrities from the film, television, radio, audio recording and live performance industries.

Krakowski, 54, who was born and raised in Parsippany, was among the latest 31 honorees recently announced by the chamber committee. She is listed in the "Live Theatre/Live Performance" category along with Otis Redding, who is being honored posthumously.

Since her notable film debut at age 15 as Randy Quaid's precocious daughter in the first of the hit "National Lampoon" comedy film series, Krakowski has also conquered the Broadway stage and London's West End Theatre District, winning two Tony Awards and the London equivalent, the Olivier Award.

"We got the news about the star," said Krakowski's mother, Barbara Krajkowski. "I’m so proud of her, and her father would have been so thrilled."

But Krakowski's biggest roles have mostly been seen on the television screen, including a five-year run as Elaine on "Ally McBeal," followed by seven years as quirky star Jenna Maroney on "30 Rock." Her work in both earned Krakowski a Screen Actor's Guild Award and multiple Emmy nominations. She later collected another Emmy nomination and a Critic's Choice Award for her work in the hit Netflix series "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

Her TV credits also include the Apple TV+ series "Schmigadoon!" and hosting a reboot of the game show "Name That Tune."

She also has triumphed in musical theater. Krakowski's extensive stage credits include 10 Broadway shows; she won a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "Nine" (2003) and the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards in 2016 for "She Loves Me."

Krakowski caught the stage bug from her parents, who were active in community theater. Her mother later co-founded the professional Women's Theater Company, which started in Montclair before settling into residence at the Parsippany Playhouse.

In a 2017 interview with the Daily Record, Krakowski recalled growing up a theater kid. Her father, Edward Krajkowski, died in 2016.

"From the earliest time, I can remember both my parents had such an appreciation and respect for the theater," Krakowski said. "They were enthusiasts and participants. From the time I was born, they were very involved with the community theaters in New Jersey."

Krajkowski retired as the playhouse in Parsippany went dark during the COVID pandemic lockdown, but theater returned to the black box space there last year, revived by her protege, Lauren Mills. Her daughter returned to Parsippany last year as the Township Council honored Krajkowski's career with a proclamation ceremony,

Dates have not been scheduled for ceremonies honoring this year's Hollywood Walk of Fame selectees. Recipients have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before they expire.

Upcoming star ceremonies are usually announced 10 days before the dedication on the Hollywood Walk of Fame website.

"We heard it takes a long time, maybe a year, before it actually happens," Krajkowski said. "So keep tuned."

“The Selection Committee, which is made up of fellow Walk of Famers, carefully hand-picks a group of honorees each year that represent various genres of the entertainment world," said Chair and Walk of Famer Ellen K. "The committee did an amazing job choosing these very talented people. We can't wait to see each honoree's reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood's history with the unveiling of their star on the world's most famous walkway."

The full Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024 is as follows:

MOTION PICTURES: Chadwick Boseman (posthumous), Kevin Feige, Gal Gadot, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Meledandri, Chris Pine, Christina Ricci and Michelle Yeoh.

TELEVISION: Ken Jeong, Eugene Levy, Mario Lopez, Jim Nantz, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Schur, Kerry Washington and Raúl De Molina and Lili Estefan, co-hosts of the television show “El Gordo y La Flaca” (double ceremony).

RECORDING: Glen Ballard, Toni Braxton, Def Leppard, Charles Fox, Sammy Hagar, Brandy Norwood, Darius Rucker, Gwen Stefani and Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young.

LIVE THEATRE/LIVE PERFORMANCE: Jane Krakowski and Otis Redding (posthumous).

RADIO: Angie Martinez.

SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT: Billie Jean King and Carl Weathers.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Parsippany's Jane Krakowski to get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame