Hollywood icon and environmentalist Robert Redford and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela are among the 12th class to be inducted into the California Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday.
Gov. Jerry Brown and first lady Anne Brown selected the latest California Hall of Fame inductees for achievements and contributions in science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, the arts, literature, technology, activism and politics.
The honors list also includes musician Joan Baez; mountaineer and environmental health scientist Arlene Blum; journalist Belva Davis; chef Thomas Keller, who rose to fame with his Napa area restaurant, The French Laundry; former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, who died in Decenber 2017; and Nancy McFadden, who was Brown's chief of staff until her death in March.
"Anne and I are pleased to welcome another class of extraordinary Californians to the Hall of Fame," Brown said. "These individuals have helped push our state forward, inspiring Californians with their creativity and courage."
Inductees and family members of posthumous inductees will be presented with "Spirit of California" medals by the governor and first lady in an official state ceremony at the California Museum on Dec. 4. In addition, their lives and legacies will be featured in an exhibit opening at the California Museum the following day.
Members of the public are invited to watch the 12th Annual California Hall of Fame induction ceremony live webcast on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at http://www.californiamuseum.org/webcast/12-hof.
