Who Are the 10 Pittsburghers Joining the Walk of Fame This Year?

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHARLES “TEENIE” HARRIS ARCHIVE – CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART.

From the arts and sciences to sports and industry, Pittsburgh has no shortage of famous makers and movers — and 10 more will soon be included on the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame.

The board of directors for the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame have released the names of the 2026 inductees, who were chosen through a process that began with nominations from the public. public. A curated list of those nominees was then sent to a selection committee of nearly 150 leaders from colleges and universities, cultural institutions, news outlets, historical societies, chambers of commerce, community development associations and visitors bureaus from the 10-county southwestern Pennsylvania area. Committee members voted for their selections, and based on that vote tally, the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame board made the final determination.

The new inductees are:

• Myron Cope (1929-2008), a sportscaster and the creator of the Terrible Towel whose color commentary defined a generation of Steelers fans. Cope was a lifelong Pittsburgher.
  
• Martha Graham (1894-1991), a dancer and choreographer who was born on the North Side, and whose Martha Graham Dance Company remains one of the world’s leading modern dance troupes.

• Charles “Teenie” Harris (1908-1998), a photographer who chronicled Pittsburgh’s Black community from the 1930s through the 1980s. His work played a crucial role in shaping how Black Americans defined themselves. Harris was born in Pittsburgh and spent his life in the Steel City.

• Franco Harris (1950-2022), a former Pittsburgh Steeler and civic leader who scored the famous Immaculate Reception touchdown in 1972. A New Jersey native, Harris came to Pittsburgh to play football and remained in the city until his death in 2022.

• H.J. Heinz (1844-1919), the entrepreneur behind the Heinz Company known globally for ketchup, pickles and other packaged food products. Heinz also pioneered national food safety regulations and progressive (for the era) welfare standards for his employees. He was born in what is now Pittsburgh’s South Side and grew up in Sharpsburgh, where he started his business from his family’s home. He remained in Pittsburgh until his 1919 death.

• Shirley Jones (1934-), an actress and singer who vaulted into public consciousness as the ingénue in the 1955 film Oklahoma! She then played leading roles in such films as Carousel and The Music Man and won an Academy Award for her dramatic role in the 1960 film Elmer Gantry. Born in Charleroi, she grew up in Westmoreland County.

• Mario Lemieux (1965-), Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Famer and owner and philanthropist whose career beyond the ice includes founding the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which funds cancer research. While he was born in Canada, Lemieux spent his entire hockey career in Pittsburgh and bought the Penguins out of bankruptcy in 1999, saving it from relocating to another city.

• Henry Mancini (1924-1994), a composer, conductor, arranger and pianist who created many of film and television’s most memorable soundtracks and theme songs. He won four Academy Awards and 20 Grammys for works such as Moon River and The Pink Panther Theme. Born Enrico Nicola Mancini, he grew up in Aliquippa and began his career writing musical arrangements for bands at the Stanley Theatre — now the Benedum Center — in Pittsburgh.

• Jimmy Stewart (1908-1997), an actor and decorated WWII bomber pilot who appeared in 80 films. He was also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stewart was born and raised in Indiana, Penn.

• George Westinghouse (1846-1914), a prolific inventor and industrialist who is best known for creating the railway air brake and pioneering alternating current power. He received 360 patents for his inventions and established 60 companies, most of which within the Pittsburgh region. Westinghouse Electric Company continues to operate, headquartered in Cranberry Township.

All 10 will have their names featured on large bronze stars that will be embedded in the sidewalk at the Strip District Terminal, which is located on Smallman Street, from 16th Street to 21st Street. Each star will be accompanied by a narrative plaque that briefly describes the honoree’s key achievements and ties to the Pittsburgh region, while a customized app provides more information and visuals.

“Everyone involved in creating this visitor attraction is delighted with the choice of these ten honorees,” says Nancy Polinsky Johnson, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Pittsburgh Walk of Fame. “This dynamic group really represents the diversity of the talented people who have come out of southwestern Pennsylvania and made a noteworthy mark on American culture. And that’s what this Walk is designed to celebrate.”

Mario Lemieux is scheduled to appear at the induction ceremony, which will take place Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. at The Terminal, and select individuals will be on hand to accept the honor on behalf of the nine other inductees. River City Brass will perform, and the public is invited to attend this free, festive event.

“Last year’s ceremony was so joyous and so uplifting, I’m looking forward to doing it again—and to seeing the Walk double in size,” says Jim Rudolph, president of the nonprofit’s board. “I encourage everyone to come out to celebrate this year’s inductees.”

The new inductees will join 10 famed Pittsburghers who were inducted last year in the Walk of Fame’s inaugural ceremony: George Benson, Nellie Bly, Andrew Carnegie, Rachel Carson, Roberto Clemente, Michael Keaton, Fred Rogers, Jonas Salk, Andy Warhol and August Wilson.