In 1998, sixty-six years after the rest of his collaborators on Of Thee I Sing won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, George Gershwin was given a special posthumous Pulitzer for his work. Now, the composer, who's centennial falls in 1998, is getting another belated honor: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. George and his lyricist brother Ira were awarded their star in a June 4 ceremony attended by family members, Jack Lemmon and Angie Dickinson.

Ironically, the bid for the star didn't originate with the family or the Gershwin estate, but with a lowly fan. An artist need only be nominated for a spot on the Walk of Fame to be considered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce committee which controls the tourist attraction. The Gershwins were approved for a place of the walk last year, but the committee opted to wait until the centennial to announce the decision.

The brothers received the walk's 2,109th star. Those seeking George and Ira can find them at 7083 Hollywood Blvd., at the corner of La Brea. They join fellow tunesmith Irving Berlin. So far, songwriters Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein and Cole Porter are among those who do not rate a star.

Film musicals featuring Gershwin music include Singin' in the Rain, Rhapsody in Blue, Porgy and Bess, Cover Girl, The Goldwyn Follies and many more.

George and Ira Gershwin were born in New York, but spent much of their later careers in Hollywood. George died in 1937. Ira, who was 18 months older than George, died in 1983. -- By Robert Simonson