Vanna White gets Walk of Fame star

‘She is America’s sweetheart’ says ‘Wheel of Fortune’ creator Merv Griffin

Nick Ut / AP

Television personality Vanna White, center, is joined by Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, left, and Leron Gubler, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, during a ceremony honoring White with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday, April 20, in Los Angeles.

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updated 8:23 p.m. ET April 20, 2006

LOS ANGELES - This time, it was Vanna White’s turn to spell out a name — her own.

The longtime letter-turner on “Wheel of Fortune” was all smiles Thursday as she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“I remember my parents telling me, at the age of 10, ‘You can do anything you want.”’ Dad, we did it!” said White, 49, who debuted as host Pat Sajak’s assistant in 1982.

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Guests at the 2,309th star’s unveiling included Sajak, “Wheel of Fortune” creator Merv Griffin, “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek and White’s father.

“I picked her because she knew the whole alphabet,” Griffin said. “She is America’s sweetheart.”

White grew up in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., studied to be a model and moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

She struck TV gold with “Wheel of Fortune,” clapping and turning letters called out by contestants.