Fran Drescher receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star: a tribute to her legacy and impact

Fran Drescher, who grew up in Flushing, Queens, New York, has now earned her place among Hollywood’s stars.

On September 30, she marked her 68th birthday by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The celebration was marked by her wearing her signature leopard print, plenty of laughter and a sense of nostalgia.

Drescher wore a fitted leopard dress, cheetah-print pumps, and her trademark bold red lipstick, bringing to mind Fran Fine, the unforgettable character she played on "The Nanny".

The event was filled with the same heart and humour that fans loved from the show.

A family reunion, 30 years later

It wasn’t just about the star; it was about family. Drescher posed proudly alongside her on-screen stepdaughters, Nicholle Tom (Maggie Sheffield) and Madeline Zima (Gracie Sheffield), as well as her former husband and co-creator of "The Nanny", Peter Marc Jacobson.

The sight of the cast together again transported fans back to the series that ran from 1993 to 1999, six seasons of sequins, sass, and that unforgettable laugh.

During the ceremony, Zima delivered a tribute that captured exactly what made Drescher a trailblazer.

“Fran Drescher is not just a household name; she is the household. She’s the glamorous aunt, the no-nonsense mom, the best friend who tells you when your outfit needs a little more leopard print, and the neighbour whose laugh you can hear through the drywall.”

Tom and Zima also gave a joint speech for Drescher at the ceremony, with Tom calling Drescher "loud, strong, confident, colourful, kind."

"Fran, I love you. I’ve always looked up to you, even though I had to wear flats," Tom joked. "You are my mentor, and I just love you. Congratulations!"

She also praised Drescher for changing television. When "The Nanny" debuted in the 1990s, it didn’t just add something new to TV; it transformed it. For the first time, working-class Jewish women from Queens were the main characters.

They were smart, funny, stylish, and wore Bob Mackie designs.

Drescher’s impact is bigger than her sitcom success. Playing Fran Fine brought her two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations, and made her a style icon of the 1990s.

Off-screen, after surviving uterine cancer, she started the Cancer Schmancer Movement to support early detection and empower patients.

Speaking at the ceremony, she reflected on her journey. “Hollywood is the land of dreams, but staying grounded and authentic is imperative. Keeping old friends close to you and never forgetting where you came from is essential.”

She added, “Learning to love yourself regardless of rejection or praise is important.”

With her star now set in stone, Drescher also teased what fans have been dying to know: will "The Nanny" return?

On the show’s 30th anniversary in 2023, she admitted conversations with Sony were happening, reported "People". “We don’t really know, but we have a lot of options on the table. Everything else will take a back seat to this for now, as there’s only one 30th anniversary. The show is the gift that keeps on giving.”

While nothing has been confirmed, the idea of a revival sparked a wave of excitement across social media.

Whether it’s a reunion special, reboot, or something entirely new, one thing’s clear: fans are ready for more Fran Fine.

Drescher’s Walk of Fame star, the 2,822nd according to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, is more than a career milestone. It’s a celebration of a woman who redefined television, survived personal battles, and continues to inspire with her humour and heart.

As Zima summed up: “Today, we honour Fran for all she’s given us the laughs, the glamour, the advocacy, the heart, and the very real reminder that being loud, being proud, and being yourself is the most powerful thing that you can be.”