The whole world was shocked when Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020, after struggling against colon cancer. The actor was just 43 and his passing left Hollywood and his fans, friends and family in a deep state of mourning. All those who loved Boseman got some good news recently, as Boseman was honoured with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony was attended by his family, friends and contemporaries.
The ceremony began with an address from the chair of the board of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Jerry Neuman. He said, “We are honoured at the Hollywood Chamber to be the ones to be able to honour his (Boseman) legacy today and forever, as his name is permanently implanted here.” Then he passed the mic to the CEO, Steve Nissen who announced, “Today in the category of motion pictures, we honour with star number 2828 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Chadwick Boseman.”
Academy Award winner Viola Davis took the stage and recalled working with Boseman, and the kind of actor he was. She said, “I have to believe that Chadwick is still alive. I can’t use the word gone or death. We did Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom soon before he left us, and he was always trying to engage me on the set. May we live long enough to know why we were born and that was Chadwick. More than just an actor you observe on the screen doing wonderful work. It was work that reminded us that we were less alone.”
Black Panther director Ryan Coogler also said a few words about Boseman and even broke down in the middle of his speech. He called the actor “fearless” and said, “When I think of Chadwick Boseman, I think of three things; leadership, teaching, and generosity.” Boseman’s wife was then called to the stage to accept his star, and she was also presented with a resolution, honouring the work that Boseman did through various charitable organisations.
As the star was revealed, Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, brought out his shoes and placed them right beside the star, as the crowd behind her cheered on.
