Five years after the world lost Chadwick Boseman, Hollywood is preparing to honor the late actor in a way that firmly cements the legacy he left behind. The Oscar-nominated star — whose work continues to resonate in film, culture, and beyond — is receiving a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a tribute that many fans and industry peers agree is long overdue.
The ceremony is set for Thursday, November 20, and will take place in Los Angeles, where Boseman spent much of his career shaping some of the most unforgettable performances of the past decade. His widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will be present to accept the honor on his behalf. Joining her will be two individuals who were both creative collaborators and personal supporters of the actor: Ryan Coogler, who directed him in Black Panther, and Viola Davis, who starred alongside him in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Both are scheduled to speak at the event, honoring a man whose presence reverberated far beyond the screen.
Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, expressed in a statement (via Billboard) what so many admirers of Boseman feel:
“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is deeply honored to celebrate Chadwick Boseman’s extraordinary legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world.”
Boseman passed away in August 2020 at the age of 43 after privately battling colon cancer — a diagnosis he kept largely to himself as he continued working on films that would go on to define his career. His star will sit at 6904 Hollywood Blvd., forever part of the iconic stretch that celebrates entertainment legends.
As the world continues to reflect on his life and work, those who knew him best have shared stories that reveal just how dedicated, thoughtful, and quietly resilient he was. In 2022, Coogler opened up about his final conversation with the actor on his Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast, recalling how their last exchange unfolded just two weeks before Boseman’s passing.
“My last conversation with him was calling to ask if he wanted to read [the script] before I got notes from the studio. That was the last time we spoke. He passed maybe a couple weeks after I finished,” Coogler shared. He remembered immediately sensing a shift in Boseman’s voice. “He was tired, bro. I could tell he was tired.”
Coogler said that in those final weeks, even reaching him became difficult.
“I’d been trying to get a hold of him for a few days, and Denzel [Washington] had been trying to get a hold of him, too,” he explained. When Boseman finally called back, Coogler sensed something was wrong. The actor sounded like he was lying down, and Simone was beside him until he gently asked her to step out — joking that he didn’t want her to hear anything that might break his NDA.
“She didn’t want to leave him, so I could tell something was up,” Coogler recalled.
During the call, Boseman told him he didn’t want to read the Wakanda Forever script yet, saying he “didn’t want to get in the way” of studio notes. Coogler later learned the heartbreaking truth behind that moment:
“I found out later that he was too tired to read anything.”
The Walk of Fame ceremony now arrives as a moment of celebration, remembrance, and gratitude — a public acknowledgment of a legacy that continues to inspire millions around the world. Boseman’s star is more than a marker on a sidewalk; it’s a reminder of what dedication, purpose, and artistry can leave behind.
