TL;DR: Chadwick Boseman received a posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame star on November 20, 2025. His widow Simone Ledward-Boseman accepted the honor as colleagues including Ryan Coogler, Viola Davis, Letitia Wright, and Michael B. Jordan delivered emotional tributes.
What Happened
- Chadwick Boseman was posthumously honored with the 2,828th Hollywood Walk of Fame star on November 20, 2025, at 6904 Hollywood Boulevard.
- The ceremony was led by his widow Simone Ledward-Boseman, with tributes from Ryan Coogler, Viola Davis, Letitia Wright, and Michael B. Jordan.
- The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce declared the day “Chadwick Boseman Day.”
- Boseman’s shoes and a portrait were placed at the star as a symbolic tribute.
Key Quotes
- Simone Ledward-Boseman: “Today was a beautiful day... Everyone was just so full of love and joy.”
- Ryan Coogler: “Even when he knew his days were limited, and his moments were numbered, he still gave to the art form.”
- Viola Davis: His work “reminded us that we are less alone.”
- Lupita Nyong’o: “He is on an ancestral plane and the more we utter his name, the more his spirit stays alive.” She described the star as “ a place of prominence for a king,” emphasizing the lasting impact Boseman has on his community and fans.
Attendees and Tributes
- Present were Simone Ledward-Boseman, Ryan Coogler, Viola Davis, Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and Boseman’s brothers Derrick and Kevin.
- The ceremony included speeches, photos with the star, and the unveiling moment following tradition.
Boseman’s Legacy
- Known for roles including T’Challa/Black Panther, Jackie Robinson (42), James Brown (Get On Up), and Thurgood Marshall (Marshall).
- His final film performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom earned a posthumous Oscar nomination and multiple awards.
- Boseman continued working during a private four-year battle with colon cancer, passing away on August 28, 2020, at age 43.
- His legacy includes scholarships, foundations, memorials, and honors in South Carolina and at Howard University.
Why the Star Matters
- Posthumous Walk of Fame stars have a strict two-year minimum wait; Boseman’s came five years after his death.
- The star acknowledges his cultural influence, artistic impact, and continued global significance.
Symbolic Gestures
- Simone Ledward-Boseman placed his shoes at the foot of the star, representing the path he walked with “integrity, truth, and brilliance.”
- Photos from the ceremony showed the shoes and portrait displayed beside the newly unveiled star.
These quotes capture Boseman's essence: a man of deep faith, resilience, and creativity who inspired millions.
Quote | Context/Source |
"Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill. Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose." | From his 2018 Howard University commencement speech, emphasizing finding purpose over just a career. |
"I think you realize how much you need to have people that you love. It’s not as much about them loving you - it’s about you needing to love people." | From a general interview reflection on relationships and vulnerability (often tied to his personal growth). |
"You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure." | From an interview (circa 2018–2019) on appreciating life amid challenges; poignantly resonant given his private cancer battle. |
"Sometimes you need to feel the pain and sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God pre-destined inside of you." | From his 2018 Howard speech, recounting a career setback (losing a TV role) as a divine redirection. |
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything You gave me.'" | From a 2018 interview (often linked to his creative drive); it's a paraphrase of writer Erma Bombeck, adapted in his own words. |
"I’m an artist. Artists don’t need permission to work. Regardless of whether I’m acting or not, I write." | From a 2019 interview on his multifaceted creativity (as both actor and playwright). |
"The story is relevant because we still stand on his shoulders. He started something - I would even say maybe he didn’t even start it, it started before him. But he carried the torch." | From a 2013 interview promoting 42, discussing Jackie Robinson's enduring civil rights impact. |
"Sometimes when you’re acting, you only need a little bit of something to sort of channel or transport into a place." | From a general acting philosophy interview (circa 2017–2018), on immersion techniques. |
"I’m the kind of guy who comes home and checks scores for everything. I’m a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep up with who’s ahead in a division and everything that’s going on." | From a 2014 interview around Draft Day and Get On Up, revealing his sports enthusiasm. |
"I love all types of music. Jazz, classical, blues, rock, hip-hop. I often write scripts to instrumentals like a hip-hop artist. Music inspires me to write." | From a 2018 interview on his creative process, linking music to his writing and acting. |