HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — In a deeply emotional and long-awaited tribute, the late actor Chadwick Boseman was honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, unveiled during a ceremony on Thursday that drew family, collaborators, and fans from around the world. The moment marked a lasting recognition of a performer whose impact stretched far beyond the screen.
(Source: ABC7 Los Angeles, NBC Los Angeles, The Independent)
Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, accepted the honor on his behalf. Fighting back tears, she described her husband as a man who lived with “purpose, discipline, compassion, and courage,” adding that “Chadwick didn’t simply act—he uplifted.”
Alongside her stood a powerful lineup of speakers, including Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, and Oscar winner Viola Davis, Boseman’s co-star in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Both delivered heartfelt tributes that underscored Boseman’s artistic brilliance, quiet leadership, and unwavering commitment to dignified representation.
The star—now the 2,828th on the famous walkway—was placed on Hollywood Boulevard in a section honoring film icons. In a symbolic gesture that moved the crowd, Simone placed a pair of Chadwick’s shoes beside the star, honoring the many paths he walked but never got to finish.
Fans gathered early, many wearing Black Panther costumes and Wakanda insignia, chanting “Wakanda Forever” as the star was revealed. Several attendees openly wept as clips of Boseman’s most iconic performances played on surrounding screens.
Boseman, who died in 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer, is celebrated not only for roles such as King T’Challa in Black Panther but also for transformative portrayals of real-life legends including Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and James Brown.
“His legacy is not measured only in characters,” Coogler said during the ceremony. “It’s measured in impact—and that impact is permanent.”
The unveiling cements Chadwick Boseman’s place among Hollywood’s most influential figures — a lasting tribute to an artist who gave the world heroes on-screen while quietly embodying one off-screen.
