Alan Ladd Jr. gets Walk of Fame star

Alan Ladd Jr., the Academy Award-winning producer and former 20th Century Fox head who green-lighted "Star Wars," was honored Friday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"It's lovely to be here among my friends and family," Ladd said at the ceremony for the 2,348th star.

Ladd's father, the late actor Alan Ladd, also has a Walk of Fame star.

Mel Brooks praised the man known to many as "Laddie."

"He is one of the sweetest and nicest guys and he has saved my life many times. If anybody deserves a star, it's this legendary, incredible, iconic filmmaker," Brooks said.

Born in Los Angeles, Ladd, 69, became an agent in the '60s to clients including Judy Garland and Warren Beatty before going into producing.

After heading up creative affairs for 20th Century Fox, he became the studio's president.

It was his decision to back George Lucas' "Star Wars."

Ladd went on to found his own company, which released "The Right Stuff," "Chariots of Fire" and "Blade Runner," among others. He also headed up MGM in the early 1990s.

Ladd snagged a best-picture Oscar for producing Mel Gibson's "Braveheart."

His latest film, the Ben Affleck-directed "Gone Baby Gone," is slated for release next month.