Chadwick Boseman's legacy was honored by fans, friends and family as the late "Black Panther" actor received a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.
The ceremony came five years after his death on Aug. 29, 2020, at the age of 43, following aprivate four-year battle with colon cancer.
While most Walk of Fame inductee ceremonies are ecstatic celebrations, a looming sorrow hovered over the Los Angeles event on Thursday, Nov. 20, as the "42" star could not be there himself. Instead, a pair of shoes was placed on his star, and his loved ones celebrated on his behalf.
Friends, family and colleagues of the late "Black Panther" actor, Chadwick Boseman, gathered on Thursday, Nov. 20, to honor him as he received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was an emotional moment for his widow Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler and co-star Michael B. Jordan, and his "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" costar Viola Davis, who spoke at the ceremony. "This star, as beautiful as it is on the Walk of Fame, shines a whole lot less brighter than Chadwick is in heaven," Davis said as she concluded her speech.
A pair of shoes were also placed Bosemna's star during his posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony in Los Angeles. Boseman died on Aug. 29, 2020, at the age of 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
"Black Panther" actress Letitia Wright, Boseman's widow Taylor Simone Ledward and "Sinners" actor Michael B. Jordan pay tribute to the actor. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Black Panther" actress Letitia Wright, Boseman's widow Taylor Simone Ledward and "Sinners" actor Michael B. Jordan pay tribute to the actor. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chadwick Boseman's star is seen on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 20, 2025, in Hollywood, California. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chadwick Boseman's brothers Derrick Boseman and Kevin Boseman pictured with Michael B. Jordan. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"I have to believe that Chadwick is still alive," Viola Davis said during her remarks. "I can't use the word 'gone' or 'death' really when thinking about him." The Oscar-winning actress shared a touching memory of Boseman. "We did 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' soon before he left us and he was always trying to engage me on the set, always sort of telling me in unassuming ways that ... I think that he understood the cap of success but the true power and significance of transcendence and that was usually the gist of all of our conversations ... What happens when you realize that you're possibly transitioning? That there's something else, right?"" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
"I celebrate him today. And I say to him, I hope all the angels in heaven just sang him to a beautiful rest," Viola Davis said visibly emotional. "And I thank him for what he left behind in me, which is a burning ember that always guides me to a higher meaning of my work and my purpose."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Taylor Simone Ledward, Viola Davis, Ryan Coogler and Julius Tennon attend as Actor Chadwick Boseman is honored with a Posthumous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 20, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan touches Chadwick Boseman's posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"When I think of Chadwick Boseman I think of three things: leadership, teaching and generosity," director Ryan Coogler said. "He was an incredible leader." He was also wearing a necklace that featured a pendant engraved with Boseman's face. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Taylor Simone Ledward also took to the podium to pay tribute to her husband, Chadwick Boseman. "Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry. We recognize your skill and your devotion and we cement your legacy as a hero and icon," she said. "You lived with honor and you walked in truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful and as courageous as you were kind. We love you, we miss you and we thank you."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Kevin Boseman (8th L), Derrick Boseman (3rd R) and guests attend as Chadwick Boseman is honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ryan Coogler, visibly emotional, speaking about Chadwick Boseman." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ryan Coogler pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Derrick Boseman, Taylor Simone Ledward and Kevin Boseman" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Derrick Boseman, Taylor Simone Ledward and Kevin Boseman " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chadwick Boseman's "Black Panther" stars Letitia Wright and Michael B. Jordan" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael B. Jordan" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ryan Coogler" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ryan Coogler" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Taylor Simone Ledward" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kevin Boseman holds a portrait of his brother Chadwick Boseman. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Derrick Boseman and Kevin Boseman" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Letitia Wright, Taylor Simone Ledward and Michael B. Jordan" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A portrait of Chadwick Boseman is seen placed on his posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chadwick Boseman's friends and family. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A view of Chadwick Boseman's covered star." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chadwick Boseman receives posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Friends, family and colleagues of the late "Black Panther" actor, Chadwick Boseman, gathered on Thursday, Nov. 20, to honor him as he received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was an emotional moment for his widow Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler and co-star Michael B. Jordan, and his "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" costar Viola Davis, who spoke at the ceremony."This star, as beautiful as it is on the Walk of Fame, shines a whole lot less brighter than Chadwick is in heaven," Davis said as she concluded her speech.A pair of shoes were also placed Bosemna's star during his posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony in Los Angeles. Boseman died on Aug. 29, 2020, at the age of 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.
Chadwick Boseman's wife remembers late 'Black Panther' actor
Boseman's widow,Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, said having her husband's name cemented onto the Walk of Fame falls short of having him around. "This star, as beautiful as it is on the Walk of Fame, shines a whole lot less brighter than Chadwick is in heaven," she said.
"Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry. We recognize your skill and your devotion and we cement your legacy as a hero and icon," Boseman's wife said during her remarks. "You lived with honor and you walked in truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful and as courageous as you were kind. We love you, we miss you and we thank you."
She was also accompanied by Boseman's brothers, Derrick Boseman and Kevin Boseman.
Chadwick Boeman remembered by 'Black Panther' family Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright and director Ryan Coogler
His Marvel family was also in attendance, including "Black Panther" directorRyan Coogleras well as his co-starsMichael B. JordanandLetitia Wright.
"When I think of Chadwick Boseman, I think of three things: leadership, teaching and generosity," Coogler said while wearing a pendant engraved with Boseman's face. "He was an incredible leader." Before delivering his speech, the "Sinners" actor tried to compose himself. He said he hadn't spoken directly of Boseman in a public setting since his death.
When Boseman's Walk of Fame star was unveiled, Wright and Jordan were by his wife's side, and at one point Jordan visibly shook off feelings of grief.
Viola Davis says she has 'to believe that Chadwick is still alive'
Viola Davis, visibly emotional, opened up about grieving her "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" costar during her remarks. "I have to believe that Chadwick is still alive," Davis said. "I can't use the word 'gone' or 'death' really when thinking about him."
The Oscar-winning actress recounted meaningful conversations with Boseman on the set of the Netflix musical film that profoundly moved her.
"We did 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' soon before he left us, and he was always trying to engage me on the set, always sort of telling me in unassuming ways that," she said. "I think that he understood the cap of success but the true power and significance of transcendence and that was usually the gist of all of our conversations ... What happens when you realize that you're possibly transitioning? That there's something else, right?"
"I celebrate him today. And I say to him, I hope all the angels in heaven just sang him to a beautiful rest," Davis continued. "And I thank him for what he left behind in me, which is a burning ember that always guides me to a higher meaning of my work and my purpose."
Contributing: Pamela Avila, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Chadwick Boseman's 'Black Panther' family honor actor at Walk of Fame
