Chadwick Boseman officially now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On Thursday (November 20), during the unveiling, the actor's widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, and his brothers, Kevin and Derrick Boseman, commemorated the moment by placing a pair of Chadwick’s shoes at the foot of his star. The trio also posed with his plaque and a portrait of the late actor.
"In life, Chad was more than an actor, or even an artist," Ledward-Boseman said during her speech. "He was a spiritual teacher, fortified by a family and close friends that kept him grounded in faith; a team that believed in him, protected him and fought for him."
She added: "Colleagues that trusted his vision, that lifted him up and forged a real brotherhood: you have no idea how pivotal those moments were."
"Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry," she said, continuing to honor Boseman, who died at age 43 in 2020. "We recognize your skill and your devotion, and we cement your legacy as a hero and an icon.
"You lived with honor, and you walked with truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful as you were kind. We love you, we miss you, we thank you."
Ledward-Boseman and Chadwick’s brothers were joined by Ryan Coogler and Viola Davis, who also gave speeches. Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright and Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger were also present at the ceremony.
During his speech, Coogler called Boseman "an incredibly humble teacher."
Simone and the late actor were first romantically linked in 2015. They later married in the months before his death on August 28, 2020 from colon cancer.
The 43-year-old was known for his roles in the films 42, Get On Up, Marshall, Captain America: Civil War, and his titular role in Black Panther. His last film was Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, where he starred opposite Viola Davis.