California

Jamie Lee Curtis, Arnold Schwarzenegger among California Hall of Fame inductees

Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech at the International Conference “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 1, 2025. The former California governor, actor and champion weightlifter is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech at the International Conference “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 1, 2025. The former California governor, actor and champion weightlifter is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Tiziana Fabi AFP via Getty Images

The California Hall of Fame’s newest inductees include actor Jamie Lee Curtis and former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with athletes, politicians and America’s first all-women mariachi ensemble.

The California Museum, Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the 19th class of the hall of fame on Tuesday.

“This year’s class embodies the very best of California — creativity, resilience, and a spirit of community,” Newsom said in the announcement. “These honorees remind us that innovation and courage flourish when people are lifted up by those around them.”

The California Hall of Fame was launched in 2006 and recognizes history-making Californians “who embody the state’s spirit of innovation and have changed the state, the nation, and the world.”

The inductees will be honored in a ceremony at the California Museum at 1020 O St. in Sacramento on March 19.

Senate President Pro Tem John Burton talks to reporters outside the Assembly chambers at the state Capitol on 2003. Burton, a former chair of the California Democratic Party who died in 2025, is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Senate President Pro Tem John Burton talks to reporters outside the Assembly chambers at the state Capitol on 2003. Burton, a former chair of the California Democratic Party who died in 2025, is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame. JOHN DECKER Sacramento Bee file
Former U.S. Olympian Carl Lewis looks on before the men’s 100-meter medal ceremony at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games at the Athletics Stadium of Villa Deportiva Nacional in Lima, Peru, in 2019. Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist in sprinting and long jump, is a member of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame.
Former U.S. Olympian Carl Lewis looks on before the men’s 100-meter medal ceremony at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games at the Athletics Stadium of Villa Deportiva Nacional in Lima, Peru, in 2019. Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist in sprinting and long jump, is a member of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame. Patrick Smith Getty Images
Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of “The Lost Bus” during the Toronto International Film Festival at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto on Sept. 5. Curtis, an Academy Award-winning actor with a five-decade career, is among this year’s California Hall of Fame inductees.
Jamie Lee Curtis attends the premiere of “The Lost Bus” during the Toronto International Film Festival at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto on Sept. 5. Curtis, an Academy Award-winning actor with a five-decade career, is among this year’s California Hall of Fame inductees. Rodin Eckenroth Getty Images
Author Terry McMillan signs books at Entertainment Weekly’s PopFest at The Reef in Los Angeles in 2016. McMillan, the bestselling author of “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Author Terry McMillan signs books at Entertainment Weekly’s PopFest at The Reef in Los Angeles in 2016. McMillan, the bestselling author of “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Joe Scarnici Getty Images
Members of Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles attend the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 13. The first all-female mariachi ensemble in the United States is part of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame.
Members of Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles attend the 26th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 13. The first all-female mariachi ensemble in the United States is part of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame. Monica Schipper Getty Images
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa attends a dinner celebrating Surface Magazine’s 2017 Travel Issue at Nobu Malibu in 2017. Matsuhisa, whose Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants span five continents, is a member of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa attends a dinner celebrating Surface Magazine’s 2017 Travel Issue at Nobu Malibu in 2017. Matsuhisa, whose Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants span five continents, is a member of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame. Rich Fury
Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans swims freestyle underwater at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 25, 1991. Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist who now serves as chief athlete officer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans swims freestyle underwater at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 25, 1991. Evans, a four-time Olympic gold medalist who now serves as chief athlete officer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Ken Levine Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech at the International Conference “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 1, 2025. The former California governor, actor and champion weightlifter is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a speech at the International Conference “Raising Hope for Climate Justice” at the Mariapolis Center in Castel Gandolfo on Oct. 1, 2025. The former California governor, actor and champion weightlifter is being inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Tiziana Fabi AFP via Getty Images

Who are the California Hall of Fame inductees?

John Burton: Burton served in both houses of the California Legislature as well as in Congress. He also was chair of the Democratic Party in California. He died in 2025.

Jamie Lee Curtis: An Academy Award winner, Curtis has a five-decade Hollywood career. She also has won an Emmy and Golden Globes Award.

Riane Eisler: A pioneering systems scientist, Eisler is the author of the international bestseller “The Chalice and the Blade.”

Janet Evans: Evans, an Olympic swimmer, won four individual gold medals. She now serves as chief athlete officer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Carl Lewis: Lewis “dominated sprinting and long jump events in the ‘80s and ‘90s, amassing nine gold medals across four Olympic Games,” the release said.

Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles: The first all-female mariachi ensemble in the United States, the group has “transformed the sound, look, and cultural imagination of the musical tradition” for more than three decades.

Nobuyuki Matsuhisa: Known simply as “Nobu,” the influential chef’s Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants now span five continents with 40 locations worldwide.

Terry McMillan: The acclaimed author of “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and other bestsellers.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: A champion weightlifter, movie star and former governor, Schwarzenegger is also a successful businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist and bestselling author.

This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM.

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Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
916-321-1028
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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