Four years after his passing, Chadwick Boseman’s light is still illuminating the world, this time permanently on Hollywood Boulevard.
On Thursday, the late actor was posthumously awarded the 2,828th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a tribute to an artist whose influence reached far beyond the screen.
His widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, filmmaker Ryan Coogler, and actress Viola Davis all spoke at the emotional ceremony, each offering deeply personal reflections on Boseman’s impact as an artist, collaborator, and human being.
Ledward Boseman accepted the star on his behalf, delivering a moving tribute that framed her late husband not simply as a performer, but as a guide.
“Chad was more than an actor or even an artist,” she said, “He was a spiritual teacher, fortified by a family and close friends that kept him grounded in faith… Chad taught all of us a great deal. His heart was so vast, he could give each and every person a specific part of him and still have so much left to share with the world.”
She shared that shortly after his death in 2020, Boseman visited her in a dream, telling her that “there was only so much he could do from here”—a message echoed days later by a close friend. The moment, she said, felt like a reminder that his mission wasn’t over; it had simply shifted.
Boseman, who redefined superhero cinema as King T’Challa in Black Panther and delivered unforgettable roles as Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and Thurgood Marshall, left behind a body of work that continues to resonate across generations.
It was only fitting that Coogler, who directed Boseman in Black Panther, also spoke at the ceremony. Wearing a bracelet that once belonged to Boseman, Coogler became emotional as he honored not just the performer, but the man he knew behind the scenes.
Ryan Coogler honors Chadwick Boseman’s legacy with a powerful and emotional tribute, sharing personal stories from their years together at Boseman’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. pic.twitter.com/Gs1Q2BHHVj
— Variety (@Variety) November 20, 2025
“Chad was a star deserving of a star on the Walk of Fame,” Coogler said. “But he was also our most incredible jewel. He reflected light, he refracted it, and when he did, he showed the greatness of our people, and the universe of our shared humanity.”
Davis, who starred alongside Boseman in his final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, was the first to take the stage. She spoke lovingly about his spirit, his discipline, and the way he infused his craft with purpose.
“Chadwick was a mighty, mighty elixir that stirred up that alchemy we’re all in search of,” Davis said. “I celebrate him today, and I say to him, I hope all the angels in heaven sang him to a beautiful rest.”
She admitted she still struggles to use the words “gone” or “death” when speaking of him. To her, and to so many others, Boseman remains present, felt in memory, in impact, and in the work he left behind.
Chadwick Boseman’s legacy is one defined by excellence, dignity, and a rare emotional depth. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame isn’t just a symbol of what he accomplished, but a reminder of the power of intention, representation, and storytelling done with heart.
As Coogler said best, Chadwick reflected our greatness back to us.
And now, his light shines on forever.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
