True Lies Stars Headline the Honors (Image Credits: Ca-times.brightspotcdn.com)
California – Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom named nine distinguished figures to the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame on Tuesday, recognizing their profound impacts across entertainment, sports, and culture.[1][2]
True Lies Stars Headline the Honors
Notable Hollywood icons Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis, who co-starred in the 1994 action hit True Lies, anchor this year’s entertainment contingent. Schwarzenegger rose from bodybuilding champion to the state’s 38th governor, while also building a career as a film star, philanthropist, and environmental advocate.[1] Curtis, an Academy Award winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once, boasts a five-decade career marked by Emmy and Golden Globe awards, best-selling children’s books, and humanitarian efforts.[2]
Acclaimed author Terry McMillan rounds out the literary voices with bestsellers like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, works that amplified Black women’s experiences and inspired major films.[1] These inductees highlight Los Angeles’ role as a global cultural powerhouse.
Olympic Glory Takes Center Stage
Track and field legend Carl Lewis dominated the 1980s and 1990s, securing nine Olympic gold medals across four Games in sprints and long jump, cementing his status as one of America’s greatest athletes.[3] Distance swimmer Janet Evans claimed four individual Olympic golds as the first American woman to do so, and now serves as Chief Athlete Officer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[2]
Evans, a Fullerton native, embodies enduring athletic excellence from her high school days through Stanford and USC.[2] Lewis’ versatility and power redefined track events for a generation.
Pioneers Reshaping Culture and Cuisine
Chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa revolutionized global dining with his Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants, now spanning 40 locations on five continents.[3] Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, America’s pioneering all-women mariachi group from South El Monte, has dazzled audiences for over three decades, challenging traditions in a male-dominated genre.[2]
Systems scientist Riane Eisler, a Holocaust survivor and author of The Chalice and the Blade, advanced visions of partnership societies and human rights, influencing worldwide movements.[1] “I have worked tirelessly to help create a better world,” Eisler said.[2]
A Legacy of Public Service
John L. Burton, a longtime legislator and former California Democratic Party chair who passed away in 2025, championed civil rights, healthcare, and foster youth during stints in the State Assembly, Senate, and U.S. House.[2] His advocacy left indelible marks on state policy.
The full class reflects the Hall of Fame’s mission, launched in 2006 by the California Museum, to honor over 160 innovators in arts, sports, public service, and more. Selections come annually from the Governor and First Partner, with enshrinement set for March 19 at the California Museum in Sacramento.[4][1]
Key Takeaways
- Hollywood titans like Schwarzenegger and Curtis join forces with Olympic medalists Evans and Lewis.
- Culinary innovator Nobu and trailblazing Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles expand the class’s diversity.
- Newsom praised the group: “This year’s class embodies the very best of California – creativity, resilience, and a spirit of community.”[1]
These inductees capture California’s essence of opportunity and reinvention, from immigrant success stories to boundary-breaking achievements. For the full announcement, visit the Governor’s office press release.[1] Which inductee inspires you most? Share in the comments.
