California Hall of Fame inducts 19th class, honoring leaders in arts, sports, and public service

-Editorial 

Gavin Newsom, alongside First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Museum, inducted the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals whose achievements reflect the state’s legacy of innovation, resilience, and creativity.

The latest class highlights a broad cross-section of California’s influence across public service, entertainment, athletics, literature, music, and culinary arts. Organizers said the group also underscores Los Angeles as a global hub for culture and innovation.

The 19th class includes longtime public servant John L. Burton, known for his advocacy on civil rights, health care and youth in foster care; actor, producer and author Jamie Lee Curtis, whose career spans more than five decades and includes an Academy Award-winning performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once”; and cultural historian and systems scientist Riane Eisler, whose work on human rights and social systems has influenced international thought and policy.

Also inducted are Olympic swimmer Janet Evans, widely regarded as one of the greatest distance swimmers and the first U.S. woman to win four individual Olympic gold medals in swimming; and track and field standout Carl Lewis, who earned nine Olympic gold medals across four Games and is considered among the most accomplished athletes in the sport’s history.

The class further includes Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, recognized as the first all-female mariachi ensemble in the United States and credited with reshaping the genre’s sound and cultural presence over more than three decades; chef and restaurateur Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, whose global restaurant empire helped redefine contemporary cuisine; and author Terry McMillan, known for bestselling novels that center African American women’s experiences.

Rounding out the class is Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose career spans bodybuilding, film, business, and public service, including his tenure as California’s 38th governor.

In a statement, Newsom said the inductees reflect how Californians continue to challenge expectations and shape the state’s future. Siebel Newsom said the honorees represent perseverance, creativity, and a commitment to building a more inclusive and dynamic California.

Anne Marie Petrie, president of the museum’s board of trustees, said each Hall of Fame class offers a snapshot of the state’s evolving legacy, adding that this year’s inductees reflect the depth of talent and vision found throughout California.

The ceremony also recognized posthumous inductees from the 18th class of the California Hall of Fame. Family members attended to honor those recipients, who were inducted during a virtual ceremony in 2024. That class included Julia Child, Ina Donna Coolbrith, Vicki Manalo Draves, Mitsuye Endo, Dian Fossey, Alice Piper, and Tina Turner. The group marked the first all-female class in the institution’s history.

Established in 2006, the California Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to California, the United States, and the world. Inductees are selected annually by the governor and first partner and represent achievements across disciplines including arts and entertainment, literature, science, sports, public service, and business.