Not Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, this Indian-origin teen actor was first on Hollywood Walk Of Fame, he was…

Deepika Padukone has been recognized as 2025 honouree of Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, many are unaware that first actor to receive this honor was famous teen actor.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has been recognized as one of the 2025 inductees to the esteemed Hollywood Walk of Fame, as revealed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday evening. Deepika, who gained international fame for her performance in Vin Diesel’s ‘XXX: The Return of Xander Cage’, will soon have her own star on the famous boulevard. While this news generated excitement and pride in India, some incorrectly claimed she is the first Indian to receive this honor. However, that distinction actually belongs to a largely forgotten Indian-origin teen star from over 60 years ago.

Actor Sabu Dastagir

Here, we are talking about the renowned Hollywood actor Sabu Dastagir, who was born in 1924 in Mysore, the son of an elephant mahout. He was discovered by American filmmaker Robert Flaherty and made his film debut in ‘Elephant Boy’ (1937), a movie inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s writings. Sabu moved to Hollywood shortly after and quickly became a sensation with leading roles in major films such as ‘The Drum’, ‘The Thief of Bagdad’, ‘Arabian Nights’, ‘White Savage’, and ‘Cobra Woman’. As a teenager, he became one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood, particularly known for his roles in fantasy and adventure films.

Sabu Dastagir’s Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

In 1944, Sabu became a citizen of the United States and even served in the US Army during World War II. However, his fame diminished after the war. In the 1950s, he mostly appeared in lesser-known European films. On October 19, 1948, Sabu tied the knot with lesser-known actress Marilyn Cooper, who had an uncredited role as Princess Tara in the 1949 film Song of India. Together, they had two children. Their marriage continued until his passing. Their son, Paul Sabu, formed the rock band Sabu in the 1980s. Their daughter, Jasmine Sabu, who passed away in 2001, worked as an animal trainer in the film industry.

Sabu Dastagir Was Offered Lead Role In…

He was once considered for the lead role in legendary director Mehboob Khan’s ‘Mother India’ (1957), but was unable to obtain a work permit. It was in 1960, during the height of Hollywood’s golden era, that Sabu Dastagir received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sabu passed away young in 1963 at the age of 39, having never acted in an Indian film.