After nearly three decades in radio, Kurt "Big Boy" Alexander got his own Hollywood star on Wednesday - which is also his 52nd birthday!
He's currently on Real 92.3 but used to be on POWER 106. The beloved DJ's radio show, "Big Boy's Neighborhood," is one of the highest rated radio shows in L.A.
He is a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, was selected as Personality of the Year four times by the Radio Music Awards and three times by Radio and Records magazine and is a three-time recipient of the Marconi Award from the National Association of Broadcasters as the major market Personality of the Year.
Rap legend Dr. Dre spoke at Wednesday's Walk of Fame ceremony, saying he looks up to Big Boy for several reasons.
"I admire Big as a pioneer of radio but also a friend, and only Big Boy knows how to control the airwaves for the hip hop community here in Los Angeles and the world...Big Boy is hip hop. Big Boy is hip hop culture, representing the West Coast and worldwide," Dr. Dre said.
"Big, I love you. I love you for breaking barriers in radio, entertainment, and as a Black man, I love your support and everything you've done for me and my career. Nobody deserves this honor better than you. Thank you for making me and the entire city of Los Angeles laugh, what's more important than that?" the rap icon added.
Comedian George Lopez also shared his love of Big Boy from the ceremony podium, saying the DJ's "commitment to the Latino community has been there all of the 27 years he's been on the air."
Lopez went on to say that Big Boy "has been in my corner during some of the most difficult times....and Big never wavered in his friendship."
The comedian admitted he's been invited to several star ceremonies in the past, but "I've never been asked to speak for someone that I consider family."
"There's nobody who I hold closer in my heart than I do Big Boy...and nobody means more to the city of Los Angeles and to the people of Los Angeles and to all the people who listen to the radio all over the world, Armed Forces included," Lopez said. "Welcome to the most famous street in the world, Big Boy!"
Later in the ceremony, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce officials declared Wednesday "Big Boy Day" before introducing Big Boy himself to the podium to speak.
"I never thought that I was going to be here. This wasn't one of those things, before I got into radio or even as a child, you wanted to be successful and you wanted to take care of your family, but I never thought about a star in Hollywood," the DJ said.
Big Boy recalled a time in the past when he and his friends would visit Hollywood, but had to walk all the way back home to West L.A. because they didn't have enough money to ride the bus.
"I'm from this turf. I'm from Los Angeles. And to have a day like this is unbelievable," he said. "I have an amazing family, and I had a very amazing mother. We weren't rich in like money, but we were billionaires when it came to love. And for me to sit here in front of my family today and they see their little brother Kurt getting this award, it's amazing."
He thanked his wife and his children for being his strong support system.
"I hope that you guys understand how honored I am to have you guys as my kids and as my family," he said, wiping away tears. He also reflected on how his late mother instilled in him the importance of putting family first. Big Boy then called out his siblings, nieces and nephews, telling them he loved them all.
Big Boy also gave much credit to those who work with him to make his radio show possible, saying there are "so many people that made Big Boy, Big Boy."
He told Eyewitness News that the whole star ceremony seemed like a dream.
"Some people get this and it's probably not a big deal to them. This really means a lot to me - a lot to me," he said.2701
Big Boy is the 2,701st recipient on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He got the nickname because he used to weigh more than 400 pounds. He underwent duodenal switch surgery in 2003, leading to a weight loss of more than 250 pounds. The weight loss inspired the title of his 2011 autobiography, "An XL Life: Staying Big at Half the Size.''
MORE | Terry Crews honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame star
City News Service contributed to this report.
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