Chadwick Boseman forever shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his powerful and groundbreaking performance as King T’Challa, the Black Panther. Now, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is honoring his legacy with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Boseman’s friends, family, and colleagues gathered in Hollywood on Thursday to pay tribute to the late actor, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43. Boseman received the 2,828th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring his extraordinary talents and immense creative achievements.
Boseman’s wife Simone Ledward-Boseman accepted the star on his behalf, joined by Boseman’s family. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and actress Viola Davis (who starred with Boseman in the 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) both made emotional speeches, sharing their memories of Boseman as a colleague and friend.
Also in attendance were Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios co-president Louis D’Esposito, and Boseman’s Black Panther costars Letitia Wright and Michael B. Jordan.
In an poignant speech, Coogler explained how he and Boseman became fast friends after their first meeting to discuss Black Panther, remembering how Boseman snuck through a crowded hotel to get past dozens of celebrities and journalists. “I asked him how he got past everybody,” Coogler recalled, “and he smiled at me and said, ‘That was the Panther.’”
On the Black Panther set, Coogler said, Boseman was a shining pillar of leadership, mentorship, and generosity, always sharing his talents and his time.
“This man — who was already cast as the Black Panther — came to every single audition and every single callback that I asked him to come to,” Coogler told the crowd. “Sometimes he would be busy when we would schedule one, and he would race across town to read across from the other actors.
He would come to every rehearsal. He even worked with the actor that was portraying [a young T’Challa]. He was incredibly generous with his time on set. Even though he was going through what he was going through, he would do his own stunts. He would be there for off-camera dialogue readings. It was incredible.”
Coogler also highlighted Boseman’s incredible warmth and generosity off screen, explaining how he constantly championed Black voices in film and gave back to his alma mater, Howard University.
“He gave so many other gifts,” Coogler continued. “The gifts of his incredible performances, which inspired actors all over the world. The gift of being close to greatness. This is something that people who maybe played ice hockey with Wayne Gretzsky can attest to, people who played basketball with Michael Jordan can attest to.
There’s something special about being close to somebody who’s that great. You realize how much you don’t measure up, but you also realize how much the human body is capable of. Chad showed that every day. Even when he knew his days were limited and his moments were numbered, he still gave to the art form.”
Boseman made his debut as T’Challa in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, before headlining the acclaimed Black Panther in 2018. That film became a global cultural phenomenon, bringing the nation of Wakanda to life and inspiring millions of fans around the globe, as well as earning seven Academy Award nominations (including Marvel’s first-ever Best Picture nomination).
Boseman later returned to the MCU with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. He was also known to moviegoers for his acclaimed performances as Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.
“Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry,” Ledman-Boseman said. “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 in truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful and as courageous as you were kind. We love you, we miss you, we thank you.”
Source : Marvel