Orange County Hall of Fame

Regional hall of fame in California

The Orange County Hall of Fame is a hall of fame recognizing significant and notable people with a connection to Orange County, California. The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create the hall in 2023, inducting an inaugural 10-person class in the process. New inductees are selected annually.[1]

## Inductees

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Walt Disney, an inductee of the inaugural class Orange County Hall of Fame[2] Year | Name | Category | Notes

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2023 | Frank Jao | Business | Founder of the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster
2023 | William Lyon | Civics | Chairman and CEO of OC-based AirCal
2023 | Walt Disney | Music, Arts & Entertainment | Founder of Disneyland in Anaheim
2023 | Bill Medley | Music, Arts & Entertainment | Native of Santa Ana
2023 | Gwen Stefani | Music, Arts & Entertainment | Native of Fullerton
2023 | Henry Segerstrom | Philanthropy | Native of Santa Ana; founded the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa
2023 | Amanda Beard | Sports | Native of Newport Beach
2023 | Kobe Bryant | Sports | Resident of Newport Beach from 2002 until his death in 2020
2023 | Greg Louganis | Sports | Attended Santa Ana High School, Mission Viejo High School, and UC Irvine
2023 | Tiger Woods | Sports | Native of Cypress, graduate of Western High School

## Reception

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An article published in The Orange County Register criticized the "wee bit two-dimensional" composure of the hall's inaugural class, arguing that it should include people who illustrate the "complex history" of the county. According to the author, notable omissions from the first class included civil rights activist Sylvia Mendez, pastor Rick Warren, Catholic priest Junípero Serra, U.S. president Richard Nixon, and actor John Wayne. The author also satirically suggested that former county officials involved in scandals, such as treasurer Robert Citron and sheriff Mike Carona, be inducted into the hall.[3]

## References

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1. ^ "O.C. Supervisors Wagner and Do announce the Orange County Hall of Fame". New Santa Ana. November 28, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
2. ^ "Orange County Hall of Fame". ocgov.com. County of Orange. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
3. ^ Sforza, Teri (December 29, 2023). "Should the Orange County Hall of Fame include bits of shame?". The Orange County Register. Southern California News Group. Retrieved January 26, 2024.