In 2018, Chadwick Boseman walked the purple carpet at the Dolby Theatre for the world premiere of ‘Black Panther.’ The Ryan Coogler–directed film was already drawing major attention, marking the historic solo debut of Marvel’s first Black superhero, T’Challa — the ascendant king and protector of the Afro-futuristic nation of Wakanda.

More than seven years later, on Nov. 20, a red carpet returned to the same stretch of Hollywood Boulevard as Boseman is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His ‘Black Panther’ co-star Lupita Nyong’o, told the star will be placed near the premiere site, called the location “a place of prominence for a king.”

Derrick Boseman, Simone Ledward-Boseman and Kevin Boseman at the ceremony posthumously honoring Chadwick Boseman with a Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Nov. 20, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images).

Few could have predicted the cultural impact ‘Black Panther’ would achieve. By the time Boseman returned to the Dolby Theatre for the 91st Academy Awards, accompanied by his future wife Simone, the film had earned $1.3 billion worldwide and become the first superhero movie nominated for best picture.

The celebration of his legacy is tempered by loss. Boseman, who also portrayed Jackie Robinson (‘42’), James Brown (‘Get On Up’) and Thurgood Marshall (‘Marshall’), died August 28, 2020, after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43. His diagnosis was known to very few; even Nyong’o and Coogler were unaware as he continued working through his treatment.

In his final years, Boseman focused on building a body of work that reflected his long-held commitment to telling nuanced stories about African American life and history. That mission continued through roles such as T’Challa in multiple Marvel films and his Academy Award-nominated performance in Netflix’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’

Several lasting tributes have been established since his death. Howard University, his alma mater, restored the name of its school of fine arts in his honor, and a performing arts academy in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina, was also named for him.

Boseman’s career, which spanned film, television and portrayals of key American figures, remains a testament to the legacy he fought to build, both on screen and off.