ARTIST STARS IN AWARD PRESENTATIONS; NOW, THOSE WHO RECEIVE A SPOT ON THE WALK GET A PLAQUE TOO.

Byline: Annette Burget Bailey Daily News Staff Writer

Fifteen minutes of fame can be fleeting, but for Carmine Goglia, those few minutes have lasted 12 years, due in part to a simple Christmas gift presented to a family member in 1986.

``It all started out as a Christmas present for my father-in-law, a one-time television actor, who initially turned down a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which later turned out to be his biggest regret,'' said Goglia.

Goglia, a studio artist since 1974, designed a star-like plaque, and to his delight, it was received with rave reviews from not only his father-in-law, but all the Goglia family.

``I have to admit, after looking at how it turned out and all the positive feedback from everyone, I decided to check in with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce,'' said Goglia.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce's Walk of Fame officially began lining streets with five acres of bronze stars in 1960, with 1,558 potential sites ready to immortalize celebrities. Through the years the number has increased and come Tuesday, it jumps to 2,131 as actress Jane Seymour is scheduled to receive a coveted spot.

``People used to come to Hollywood and wonder why they never saw celebrities on the boulevard - this is what prompted the whole idea,'' said Ana Martinez-Holler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce-Hollywood Walk of Fame director of public relations.

Martinez-Holler explains that the Chamber receives approximately 300 applications each year. Of those, between 20 and 24 are actually selected, based on strict criteria - professional achievement, longevity in a given field, and contributions to the community.

But prior to 1987, no one was involved in the production of Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrity plaques.

``I pitched my idea and ended up making a plaque prototype, which the Chamber loved,'' said Goglia.

For Goglia, this was only the beginning.

``After I completed the engraving for Cybill Shepherd's plaque, I remember bringing it down to the Chamber and it being presented to her,'' said Goglia.

Little did he know, his fifteen minutes of fame had just started to tick.

``The bizarre part was that Johnny (Grant) me asked to step up to the podium and have my picture taken with her,'' said Goglia.

Goglia admits he felt a little uncomfortable being surrounded by paparazzi and entertainment reporters, but he never forgot what Shepherd said to him.

``Cybill said, `Just go with it, baby - have fun,' '' recalled Goglia.

Since then, Goglia has completed well over 100 plaques and admits he's having a lot of fun.

When Goglia isn't busy making plaques, he's a scenic motion picture artist who has worked on sets such as ``That Thing You Do,'' ``Jingle All the Way,'' ``Nixon,'' ``A Civil Action,'' and ``Bullworth.''

``It's interesting how it's crossed over, because I'll give someone a star on the Walk of Fame, then go on to work in their movie. It's a full circle type of thing,'' said Goglia.

During hiatus, Goglia shifts gears, focusing his time and attention on completing more and more distinctive pink and black plaques.

``It's a spare time kind of thing that really makes people feel good. They really dig it, and I dig doing it,'' said Goglia.

Goglia admits that even after attending so many presentation ceremonies, there has been one occasion where he felt more than awestruck.

``At one ceremony, David Bowie said, `Beautiful job,' and I just melted because he's given me so much enjoyment through the years,'' said Goglia.

An avid music lover, Goglia has made a few duplicate plaques of his personal favorites: David Bowie, John Lennon, The Pointer Sisters, Sammy Davis Jr. and Chicago, but is quick to point out that none of these plaques are, or ever will be, available for purchase.

Goglia possesses exclusive rights to the star likenesses and has no desire toF sell out anytime soon.

``No one has ever bought one of these - I know I could sell any of them in a second as a collectible - but it will never happen,'' said Goglia. Goglia proudly points out that the plaque, which usually takes a week to finish, is unlike other prestigious entertainment awards, such as the Oscar, Emmy or Grammy. His are not stamped out as identical prototypes - they're totally original works.

``What makes these things so unique is that they're all done with my brush, my signature. Every one is distinctly different,'' said Goglia.

Citing his most recent creation for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as an example, the size of the star will most likely need to be altered.

Not a problem. Goglia loves his job, and eagerly anticipates adding yet another name to his long list of entertainers immortalized.

``It's so positive - makes so many people happy, and it's a Hollywood landmark I love being part of,'' said Goglia.

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Photo

PHOTO (Color in Conejo Edition only) Carmine Goglia makes plaques for celebrities who receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

Tina Gerson/Daily News