(11 Aug 2016) ROMA DOWNEY DEDICATES WALK OF FAME STAR TO IRISH IMMIGRANTS
Actress-producer Roma Downey honored her hometown of Derry, Ireland, while receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday (11 AUG. 2016).
"I think that for many of us immigrants, we came to America because it is the land of opportunity. We came here because it could support our dreams. It created opportunities to make those dreams come true. And I would say to the people of Ireland, particularly the people of Derry, and I dedicate this star to anybody with a dream and to Irish people who may come over here, that there is a big welcome on the mat here," said Downey during an interview after the ceremony.
Downey's husband, television producer Mark Burnett, also spoke about his wife's Irish pride.
"In case you didn't know, Roma is Irish and she'll never let you forget it. Outside of her family and God, the only (other) most important thing to her is St. Patrick's Day," he told the crowd.
Downey thanked her fans and family and recalled her humble beginnings in the United States.
"25 years ago I came to America from Ireland looking for the American dream. I came with my heart full of hope. The American dream meant to me freedom and opportunity and like many immigrants before me this great country has offered the opportunity to make my dreams come true. Many, many years ago, when I first moved to New York, I was a coat check girl at a very fancy restaurant on the upper west side. I could've only dreamed about affording to buy dinner in that restaurant. I maybe got a quarter a coat. And I met my very first celebrity, Regis Philbin. I checked his coat and when he was leaving he gave me 20 dollars and I thought I died and went to heaven," she said.
Downey's star was placed next to Burnett's on Hollywood Boulevard.
"Thank you so much for this. I get to have a Hollywood star lying right next to my husband's Hollywood star. If there was anybody I was going to lie on Hollywood Boulevard with it's you my love," she said to Burnett.
Downey is most well-known for her role on CBS' "Touched by an Angel," which aired from 1994 to 2003. In an emotional speech, co-star Della Reese recalled how Downey helped her get home after learning of her daughter's death.
"From that time on Roma became my daughter, my friend, my running pleasure, and my ability to love something that I had never loved that way: The death of my child," said the 85-year-old actress.
Downey is an executive producer of the upcoming "Ben-Hur" remake. The film's cast, including Rodrigo Santoro, Jack Huston and Toby Kebbell, also attended Thursday's star ceremony.
"Ben-Hur" opens August 19.

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