Ten individuals with ties to Western Pennsylvania who have made lasting impacts on <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/06/29/four-art-forms-that-define-american-identity/90094055007/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>American culture were recently inducted into the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame.
On Oct. 13, inductees were honored at a ceremony in Pittsburgh’s Strip District celebrating their mark on local and national heritage. Each received a granite block with a bronze star and a plaque detailing their contribution to both Pittsburgh and America
This group was the second round of honorees, with the inaugural class of inductees receiving their accolades in 2025.
Here’s who was honored.
Who’s on the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame?
On Oct. 13, 10 new icons with a background in Pittsburgh were inducted onto the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame. The group included:
-
Myron Cope, a sportswriter, broadcaster and creator of the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Terrible Towel
-
Martha Graham, a Pittsburgh native and pioneer in dance technique and founder of the Martha Graham Dance Company and The Graham School
-
Charles “Teenie” Harris, a photographer best known for capturing the life of Black residents in Pittsburgh during the mid-20th century
-
Franco Harris, remembered as one of the best running backs in professional football history and winner of four Super Bowl championships with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s
-
H.J. Heinz, an entrepreneur who created numerous food products and began his business in Pittsburgh
-
Shirley Jones, an actress and singer who starred in more than 30 movies, including the 1955 film version of “Oklahoma!” as well as movie musicals “Carousel” and “The Music Man”
-
Mario Lemieux, a former Pittsburgh Penguins hockey center regarded as one of the greatest players in NHL history and the only person to have their name on the Stanley Cup as both a player and a team owner
-
Henry Mancini, one of film and TV’s most prolific composers who is remembered for works like “Moon River” and “The Pink Panther Theme”
-
Jimmy Stewart, an Academy Award winning actor born in southwestern Pennsylvania and known for classic Hollywood movies like “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Harvey” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”
-
George Westinghouse, an engineer and inventor who helped develop electrical power systems and invented an air brake system that revolutionized railroad safety and is used worldwide
In 2025, the first 10 inductees were honored with a spot on the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame. Honorees included:
Where is the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame?
The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame is located on the sidewalk along Smallman Street from 16th to 21st streets at the Strip District Terminal. Visitors can park on Smallman Street or in a parking lot behind the Terminal that is accessible through entrances on Smallman Street at 16th Street and 21st Street.
How to nominate local legends for Pittsburgh Walk of Fame
Nominations for the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame will open in January 2027.
Nominees can be living or deceased, and they can come from a variety of backgrounds, including art and creative fields, science and medicine, politics, philanthropy, industry, entertainment, journalism and broadcasting, sports, education and more.
To qualify for the walk of fame, nominees must have either been born in Pittsburgh or have spent their “formative or creative years” in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington or Westmoreland counties, according to the walk’s website. Additionally, their accomplishments should have made an impact nationally.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram:@finchwalker_.X:@_finchwalker.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Pittsburgh Walk of Fame honors 10 American legends with local ties
