‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman honored with posthumous Walk of Fame star

Highlights

• Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman is posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  
• The ceremony featured tributes from Ryan Coogler, Viola Davis, and Boseman’s widow Simone Ledward-Boseman.
  
• Boseman is remembered for his dedication to his craft while privately battling colon cancer.
  
• The actor became the first Black lead in the Marvel franchise with his role as T’Challa.
  

A moving tribute in Hollywood

Chadwick Boseman, whose performance as King T’Challa in Black Panther became a global cultural landmark, has been honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on Thursday in Los Angeles and drew emotional tributes from family, friends, and collaborators who gathered to celebrate the late actor’s legacy.

Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, stood alongside director Ryan Coogler and actress Viola Davis as the star was unveiled. Ledward-Boseman described the day as a moment filled with warmth and admiration for the man behind the iconic role. “Everyone was just so full of love and joy. And we’re all so proud of this person that we knew, that we shared,” she told AFP.

Boseman died in 2020 at age 43, leaving behind a body of work honored with awards and cherished by millionsGetty Images

A legacy defined by generosity and resilience

Coogler, who directed Boseman in the 2018 blockbuster, spoke about the actor’s strength and dedication during his battle with colon cancer. Boseman was diagnosed in 2016 but kept his illness private, continuing to work through physically demanding roles.

“Even when he knew his days were limited, and his moments were numbered, he still gave to the art form. He still threw himself into the fire,” Coogler said. He recalled how Boseman insisted on performing his own stunts and supporting co-stars off camera, even during periods of intense treatment.

Boseman’s breakout as T’Challa first came in Captain America: Civil War in 2016 before he headlined Black Panther two years later. The film became a global milestone, and Boseman’s performance helped redefine representation in blockbuster cinema, making him the first Black actor to lead a Marvel superhero film.

Remembered through his work

Viola Davis, who starred with Boseman in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, his final screen role, released in 2020, said his presence extended beyond performance. She described his work as a reminder of shared humanity. “His work reminded us that we are less alone,” she said. “That was Chadwick, more than just an actor who you can observe on screen doing wonderful work.”

The tribute drew notable figures, including Disney CEO Bob Iger, actor Michael B. Jordan, and Boseman’s brothers Kevin and Derrick, who stood with the crowd as they celebrated his enduring impact.

A star that continues to inspire

Boseman died in 2020 at age 43, leaving behind a body of work honored with awards and cherished by millions around the world. His Walk of Fame star becomes a permanent symbol of artistic achievement, cultural influence, and unwavering resilience.

The crowd gathered on Hollywood Boulevard reflected on a life cut short but a legacy that continues to resonate, in cinema, in representation, and in the hearts of audiences who found power in his performances.