2017 Walk of Western Stars Induction and Reception

Honorees: Actor Bo Hopkins, Melody Ranch Owners Andre and Renaud Veluzat

Sunday, April 23, 2017, at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall

Hosted by Ed Masterson with performances by the Messick Family Singers

About Bo Hopkins

Bo's acting background started at the infamous Desilu Playhouse under the guidance of Uta Hagen. Although he began his career playing heavies — often trigger-happy cowboys or sadistic rednecks — he graduated into more "law-abiding" roles as he got older, and in the 1980s and 1990s was often cast as a small-town sheriff.

His first major film acting role was in the western classic, The Wild Bunch, with acclaimed director Sam Peckinpah playing opposite the likes of a few other Hollywood notables — Ernest Borgnine, William Holden and Edmond O'Brien. From there his career was on the fast track to stardom. He gave a memorable performance in the Universal Pictures film American Graffiti playing the role as the intimidating leader of the Pharaohs.

With over one hundred acting credits to his name, 34 of them westerns, Bo Hopkins continues to draw in the crowds when he finds time in his active schedule to make it to a select few car shows around the country. Always one to grant a photo op or sign an autograph for admirers of his work; he remains humble in his success. To learn more about Bo, visit www.bohopkins.net.

— City of Santa Clarita

About Andre and Renaud Veluzat

As Newhall teenagers enchanted by the world of make-believe, Renaud and Andre Veluzat spent hours peeking through the fence at Gene Autry's Melody Ranch to spot their Wild West idols — James Arness, Roy Rogers and John Wayne — making movies and TV shows. Little did they know that one day they would be the owners of Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio.

Following a devastating 1962 fire that burned down most of the buildings at Melody Ranch, Gene Autry began selling off pieces of the 110-acre property in Placerita Canyon. The last 10 acres, where the buildings had stood, went on the market in November 1990. Paul, Renaud and Andre Veluzat, who owned a large movie ranch in Haskell Canyon and a motion picture vehicle rental business, bought the property and rebuilt Melody Ranch to its former glory. Today the ranch is alive with feature, television, commercial and video filming, like Deadwood and Westworld, and was the home for the City of Santa Clarita's annual Cowboy Festival for 21 years.

— City of Santa Clarita