Martin Receives Star on Puerto Rico’s Paseo de la Fama

Ricky Martin’s star is shining bright in Puerto Rico…

The 44-year-old singer, actor and author has received a star on Puerto Rico’s Walk of Fame in San Juan, where actor Jose Ferrer and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Míriam Cólon and singer Chayanne have already been honored on the Paseo de la Fama.

Ricky Martin

The main manager of the San Juan location, Santiago Villar, made the announcement in a press release, saying the event is aimed at “paying tribute to those figures who have made the name of our land known.”

“We’re very happy that Ricky Martin provides continuity to this project,” Villar said, “to complete our aim for the first phase … of presenting 40 stars.”

The “Perdoname” singer, who will perform at the Coliseum in San Juan from February 12-14 as part of his One World tour, is the Puerto Rican artist who is the most widely known internationally.

The former member of the boy band Menudo in the 1980s has won numerous prestigious awards, including several Grammys, and has set album sales records, all while participating in important television and theater productions.

San Juan’s Walk of Fame is a new cultural and tourist attraction that acknowledges the work of figures from the arts and sports worlds.

Colón to Receive National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama

Miriam Colón has proven her medal

The 79-year-old Puerto Rican actress is among the 2014 National Medal of Arts recipients who’ll be recognized by President Barack Obama at a special White House ceremony, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Miriam Colón

Designed by Robert Graham, the medal is awarded by the president to individuals or groups for their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.

Colón is being heralded for her contributions as an actress. “Ms. Colón has been a trailblazer in film, television, and theatre, and helped open doors for generations of Hispanic actors,” according to a statement from the National Endowment for the Arts.

In 1953, The Puerto Rico-born actress moved to New York City, where she was accepted by Actors Studio co-founder Elia Kazan after a single audition, becoming the Studio’s first Puerto Rican member. While in the Big Apple, Colón worked in theater and later landed a role on the soap opera Guiding Light.

Miriam Colón

Early on in her career, she appeared mostly in westerns such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The High Chaparral, and Have Gun, Will Travel.

Most recently, Colón appeared on television and film in Better Call Saul, Top Five and Bless Me, Ultima.

She’s also the founder and director of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in New York City.

This year’s ceremony will be held Thursday, September 10 at 12:00 pm in the White House’s East Room. First Lady Michelle Obama will also be in attendance.

Here’s the complete list of recipients:

John Baldessari, visual artist
Ping Chong, theater director, choreographer, and video and installation artist
Miriam Colón, actress
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Sally Field, actress and filmmaker
Ann Hamilton, visual artist
Stephen King, author
Meredith Monk, composer, singer, and performer
George Shirley, tenor
University Musical Society
Tobias Wolff, author and educator