Hollywood is set to pay tribute to one of its most revered icons, Chadwick Boseman, who will be honored posthumously with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The late actor, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer, will be celebrated on November 20 during a ceremony that promises to reflect the depth of his influence both on and off screen.
According to Billboard, the event will feature speeches from two people who worked closely with Boseman, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and Viola Davis, who starred alongside him in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The honor will be accepted by his widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, on behalf of the family. Boseman’s star will be located at 6904 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, a fitting location for a man who left an indelible mark on global cinema.
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is deeply honored to celebrate Chadwick Boseman’s extraordinary legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame, in a statement to Billboard. “His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world.”
Boseman’s posthumous recognition cements his legacy as one of the most transformative figures in modern film. Known for portraying monumental Black icons in American history, Boseman’s career was defined by purpose, grace, and authenticity. His portrayal of Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013) marked his major breakthrough, capturing the quiet resilience of the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. He followed that with powerhouse performances as James Brown in Get On Up (2014) and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017), in which he embodied the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
But it was his role as King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther (2018) that catapulted him into global stardom. The film became a cultural phenomenon, redefining representation in Hollywood and inspiring millions across Africa and the diaspora. Boseman’s performance combined heroism and humility, giving life to a character that symbolized power, leadership, and Black excellence.
Even after his death, Boseman’s artistry continued to earn recognition. His final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. In the film, adapted from August Wilson’s 1982 play, he played Levee Green, a passionate and ambitious trumpet player battling inner demons during a 1920s Chicago recording session. His raw, emotional performance won him the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, all accepted by his wife on his behalf.
Reflecting on his passing, Viola Davis once described how deeply Boseman’s death affected her. “Lord knows we all would’ve wanted him to live another 50 years. We all want longevity,” she said in December 2020. “But I can’t see his life tragically at all… he was always living in the moment, squeezing out every bit of life. What it makes me think is, it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality.”
Davis added that Boseman lived his life with integrity and purpose, qualities that mirrored his on-screen portrayals. “What I hold onto with Chad is that he lived his life his way,” she said. “I would say his professional life absolutely paralleled his personal life, in terms of how he lived with the utmost integrity.”
As fans around the world continue to celebrate his legacy, the upcoming Walk of Fame ceremony will serve as both a tribute and a reminder that true greatness transcends time. Chadwick Boseman’s star will forever shine, not just on Hollywood Boulevard, but in the hearts of all who were moved by his life and work.
The dedication ceremony will be livestreamed on WalkOfFame.com
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