On Thursday (Nov. 20), Chadwick Boseman posthumously received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And while he may not have been there in the flesh to receive the honor, he was there in spirit thanks to the people present and an unexpected tear-jerking moment that transpired during the ceremony.
Suggested Reading
As you might expect, a handful of famous faces attended the event. Most of them were his film collaborators and close friends like Boseman’s “Black Panther” family Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, and director Ryan Coogler. The Marvel star’s family was also in attendance including his brothers and his wife Simone Ledward.
Prior to the ceremony, Boseman’s other “Black Panther” costar Lupita Nyong’o spoke to Variety to reflect on the honor, saying in part: “He is on an ancestral plane and the more we utter his name, the more his spirit stays alive. It’s hard to articulate without sounding grandiose. But there was something about him that you couldn’t explain why he moved you so much. It went through the screen and into so many people’s hearts.”
Ledward, Coogler, and Davis gave their respective speeches about Boseman’s life and legacy, with the former director in particular giving a truly touching nearly 11-minute-long speech that was equal parts vulnerable and insightful. But the most moving moment came when it was time to take pictures of Boseman’s new star.
That’s when Ledward walked over and placed a pair of the “Marshall” star’s shoes by his name. Not too long after, Ledward, alongside Boseman’s brother and another relative, all posed for pictures with the star as they held up a photo of Boseman for all to see.
Then, Wright and Jordan joined Ledward in kneeling down by the star and Boseman’s shoes for photos. At one point, Jordan reaches for the shoes and gently touches them before becoming visibly overwhelmed. However, he regains his composure and then begins to pose along with the rest of ladies.
Once this heart-tugging moment began making its rounds on social media, many were overwhelmed once again by the love displayed at the ceremony and took the time to revisit just how shocking and devastating Boseman’s death was.
“Only celeb death that really got to me. I still can’t believe,” wrote one user on TikTok.
“Damn Michael being all sentimental touching his shoes and holding himself together afterwards got me,” noted another person.
“My heart just broke, he was truly special,” said another.
Over on X/Twitter, other users reflected on Boseman’s passing and the weight of his absence.
“Man… that hit deep. Missing him all over again. Prayers for her [Ledward] strength. I can’t imagine what that moment felt like,” one user wrote.
“A poignant tribute that speaks volumes of love and legacy. A star means little without the light left behind,” another person said.
Added another: “Such a moving tribute to Chadwick Boseman with his new Hollywood star. Friends uniting in his honor touches the heart.”
Boseman died on August 28, 2020, at his Los Angeles home as a result of complications related to colon cancer, surrounded by his wife and family. He was 43.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.