Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, flashes a smile in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre during the 75th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2006. (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)
Grant awards Muhammad Ali the 2,189th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Grant poses following the dedication of Carmen Miranda Square, named after the Brazilian singer and dancer who died in 1955. (Rick Meyer / Los Angeles Times)
Grant was called upon to keep the Christmas parade afloat in 1978 and had been involved ever since. (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)
Grant, left, poses with Jerry Buss, center, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, and Paris Hilton, right, after a star for Buss was unveiled on the Walk of Fame in October 2006. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Grant watches Barbara Walters take a step on her star in a 2007 ceremony. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Grant died Wednesday in his penthouse home at Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel. He was 84. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Hollywood’s biggest booster makes it a point to look over a part of the Walk of Fame that was being repaired at the corner of Hollywood and Highland. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
