Viola Davis has opened up about the regret she feels for questioning why her former co-star, Chadwick Boseman, received special treatment while they filmed a movie together years ago. 

The Oscar-winning actress starred alongside the late actor in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which marked Boseman’s final film role prior to his tragic death from colon cancer in 2020. The drama film premiered after Boseman’s ing, and earned him a posthumous Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Boseman notoriously battled his worsening condition in private in the years before his death at the age of 43, meaning Davis was unaware of what he was going through while they both filmed Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

In a recent interview with The Times, Davis recalled her misinterpretation of the special treatment Boseman was receiving while they worked on the film, which came in the form of Boseman’s makeup artist and his fiancé, Taylor Simone Ledward. Davis said she often saw the Black Panther star being doted on by the pair, who played meditation music for him and gave him back rubs in between takes. At the time, Davis thought much of the attention given to Boseman felt unnecessary. 

“There was a part of me that was a little judgmental — why do you need all that?” Davis said. “Little did I know that they were doing it because he was dying.” Of course, the moment was a misunderstanding, since Davis has regularly paid tribute to her former co-star in the years since his untimely death. Last August, which marked four years since Boseman’s ing, Davis took to Instagram to reminisce her colleague and friend, ing him for his “authenticity, ion and love” and saying his “flame will never be extinguished.”

Chadwick…..no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity……..It was an honor working beside you, getting to know you….Rest well prince…May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you! pic.twitter.com/6abglPBOsh

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) August 29, 2020

She wasn’t the only actor to mark the occasion last year, with Chadwick’s Black Panther co-star Lupita Nyong’o writing at the time that the “grief never ends.” In the wake of his death in 2020, scores of Chadwick’s Marvel peers, including Brie Larson, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, and Zoë Saldana, were among those to pay tribute. Elsewhere in the interview, Davis discussed her film G20, in which she plays an American president (if only that were the reality!) who attends the titular summit and is held hostage by terrorists. While that sounds pretty full on, the movie is much more fun than that logline implies, according to Davis. 

“I don’t think every movie you do has to be considered for an Academy award,” she told The Times. “I wanted to do something that families could watch together, something popular.” That movie is set for release on Amazon Prime later this month, and in the meantime, Davis has floated plans of getting into directing, as well as starring in some kind of zombie movie. Which other actor can claim to be a POTUS, undead-killer and an EGOT-winner all at once? Only the Viola Davis, of course!

In the aftermath of actress Michelle Trachtenberg‘s untimely death, fans are looking back to the months leading up to the heartbreaking development for answers or signs. The reflection has led many to find unkind comments on Trachtenberg’s social media, where followers berated the actress for what they believed to be drug abuse.

As it turns out, Trachtenberg was struggling with severe health issues, leading to a liver transplant. Police sources told ABC News that she could have been dealing with complications from that procedure, as she is believed to have died of natural causes. On Friday, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed that the actress’ cause of death would remain undetermined as a result of her family’s objection to an autopsy for religious reasons.

But Trachtenberg’s death, at just 39, has reopened a conversation that previously emerged surrounding the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020. The Black Panther actor was 43 when he died, and had drawn attention in the months prior for his gaunt appearance — as it turns out, he was battling colon cancer, and had been for four years.

The advent of social media and the increased exposure of celebrities lives and appearances to the public have led to an exponential growth in hateful commentary, previously reserved for the comment section of gossip magazines. Society has tried and completely failed to learn online manners, as these platforms have grown more and more akin to the Wild, Wild West. Anonymity and the pervasiveness of a very special brand of sardonicism have served as fuel for an urge to judge others that seems inherent to the human condition.

Unfortunately, remorse is scarce and only seems to materialize when tragedies happen. Celebrities, however sheltered by money and fame, are especially vulnerable to criticism and judgment thanks to their public lifestyle. Many, like Boseman and Trachtenberg, choose to keep parts of their lives private, particularly regarding their health, but even that doesn’t protect them from the mean-spirited, faultfinding masses.

The actress did address the comments at one point. Multiple outlets reported that she responded to one of them, saying, “Explain to me how I look sick. Did you lose a calendar and not realize I’m not 14? I’m 38,” and adding, “How sad for you to leave such a comment.” In another post from Jan. 20, Trachtenberg wrote, “Fun fact. This is my face. Not malnutrition, no problems. Why do you have to hate?”

Of course, and disappointingly, asking for kindness and respect online has never really done much in the way of gaining them. Indeed, it seems engaging with the hateful rhetoric only makes it worse. These people aren’t actually concerned with the wellbeing of the celebrities they attack, but rather are looking for a quick way to feel superior for that one millisecond of their boring days.

It shouldn’t take a person dying for empathy to become the trend, but sadly, and as the current political climate highlights, the sentiment is very much an endangered species. Your empty thoughts and prayers now, posted as a way to farm engagement, won’t fix the fact that Michelle Trachtenberg had to read those comments.

Real fans of the actress opted to celebrate her work and her contributions to so many of our childhoods while she was still alive. We’re sure she felt the love, too, as drowned out as it can often get by all the negativity.

We know that neither Trachtenberg’s death nor this article will change the behavior of those who bothered her in her last few months. Just like Boseman’s didn’t, either. Still, if we don’t at least try, then cruelty will truly have won. Rest in peace, Michelle and Chadwick.

Gladiator II has been a blessing for many reasons – Paul Mescal in a skirt, Pedro Pascal in a skirt, the return of a beloved classic in all its glory… The main one, however, has been seeing and hearing the legend that is Denzel Washington willingly and freely dish out tidbits of precious wisdom every chance he gets.

At the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday, the 69-year-old was approached by TikTok content creator Chewkz for acting advice, telling Washington he creates his own work and platform online. The actor was quick with his response: get off your phone and a theater company, any theater company.

You can’t learn to be an actor online. You got to get on the stage. Find a little theater. Anything, even if you’re just the guy holding his spear in the back of the thing — You got to get on stage. That’s where I started. If you want what I got, do what I did.”

Though that might sound dismissive of Chewkz’s work for those who see the potential of social media for the democratization of access to the entertainment industry, don’t get it twisted, Washington was only trying to be encouraging. At the end of the exchange, he turned to the younger man and told him, “I’ll see you at work.” That’s as great of a motivator and confidence boost as you can get from one of the greatest actors of all time.

For the twice-Oscar-winning actor, there’s no greater school than theater because that’s where the actors have the most control, whereas “TV and films are a director’s medium,” he told The Times. That moment on stage is theirs to conduct, there’s no second take or mid-scene notes.

Washington, who got his start at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater, recently stunned The Graham Norton Show viewers by reciting a monologue from Othello, the Shakespeare tragedy he first played at 22 and will reprise, on Broadway, at 70. Paul Mescal, Saoirse Ronan and Eddie Redmayne sat watching him in awe.

Washington may be traditional in his approach to acting, but he’s also one of the biggest champions of young talent in Hollywood. For example, he famously helped Phylicia Rashad pay for Chadwick Boseman and Susan Kelechi’s summer programs at Oxford University when they were students at Howard University.

When he worked with a 19-year-old Glen Powell in The Great Debaters, Washington pushed him “out of the nest,” telling him “You should double-down on yourself. You should give this a shot.” According to the Anyone But You star, when they bumped into each other after his recent breakout fame, the older man joked, “You owe me.”

While directing Michael B. Jordan on 2021’s A Journal for Jordan, Washington connected the younger actor to a storyboard artist who would go on to help him make Creed III, his directorial debut. “That’s D, man. He’s willing to do anything to help. He wants to on knowledge and make art a little easier in however he can help,” Jordan told AP Entertainment.

Lately, Washington has been mentoring Gladiator II star Paul Mescal, who got his blockbuster start in the Ridley Scott mega-production but is returning to the stage in 2025 to do A Streetcar Named Desire again. “It’s the right thing to do, and shows he’s a legitimate, serious actor and has got his head screwed on right,” the older man told Variety.

The duo’s entire conversation for British Vogue is worth a watch, but the final moments may or may not have put this jaded entertainment writer on the verge of tears.

I pray for your generation, because we did not have to deal with what you’ve had to deal with. And it’s our fault for putting it in your hands. There were no nine million opinions of every moment of my day and people that like you and then, suddenly, they hate you, and you don’t understand why.”

If only every person of Washington’s generation was as generous to those now inheriting their legacy.

On the fourth anniversary of his tragic death, Chadwick Boseman has been commemorated by his Black Panther co-star, Lupita Nyong’o. The actress, who portrayed Boseman’s onscreen love interest, Nakia, in the first installment of the Marvel film, took to Instagram to reflect on the grief she’s still enduring, years after the King T’Challa actor ed away after a battle with colon cancer.

“Grief never ends,” the actress wrote alongside a black-and-white image of Boseman and another of her by his side, “grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It’s the price of love.”

The Us star concluded the message by writing “ing Chadwick Boseman. Forever.” Nyong’o wasn’t the only co-star of Boseman’s to reflect on his legacy yesterday, with Viola Davis also sharing a touching tribute on the fourth anniversary of his death. Davis, who worked with Boseman on 2014’s Get on Up as well as his final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, said on Instagram that her late co-star “live[s] on in me.” 

“Authenticity, ion and love were all woven in one extraordinary human…..CHADWICK BOSEMAN,” the How To Get Away With Murder star added. “Your flame will never be extinguished.” Elsewhere, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, who almost cast Boseman in the role of Drax, also shared an anniversary tribute to the actor on social media.  

Nyong’o, Davis and Gunn were among the celebrities who first reacted to news of Boseman’s ing in 2020. At the time, Nyong’o said she missed Boseman’s “laughter and silence in equal measure,” while Davis wrote “Man you are missed!”. 

Jamie Foxx, Jane Lynch, and Kerry Washington also paid tribute to Boseman in 2020, alongside his Marvel family castmates Brie Larson, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, and Zoë Saldana. Boseman kept his years-long battle with colon cancer out of the public eye, though it was reported after his death that he filmed projects like Black Panther during and between surgeries and chemotherapy.       

Boseman has been commemorated in various ways in the years since his ing. Last year, he was paid tribute with Rihanna’s performance of “Lift Me Up” at the Academy Awards, and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Elsewhere, footage of the late actor appeared in Wakanda Forever, the Black Panther sequel that premiered in 2022. 

“He believed he was ordained to get that role,” Black Panther director Ryan Coogler said in 2022. “He would be like, ‘Yeah, I had [T’Challa] on vision journals and I wanted to do this role.” 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now almost old enough to get a driving license. Since 2008 we’ve seen a massive 32 movies and an ever-growing number of television shows. Over that time almost every working actor in Hollywood has appeared in these movies, with Avengers: Endgame alone boasting an astonishing seven Oscar winners and 18 Oscar nominees amongst its cast.

Perhaps inevitably due to the sheer numbers, many MCU actors have now died since they appeared in the movies and TV shows. These range from bona fide cultural icons to talented character actors known primarily for work elsewhere. So, let’s pay tribute to some much-missed MCU stars.

Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa / Black Panther)

The world was stunned in August 2020 when the news broke that Chadwick Boseman had died at the age of 43. The Black Panther star had kept his illness a secret from everyone except his close family, leaving the world shocked that he’d battled cancer in private. Kevin Feige said it was “absolutely devastating”, and tributes flooded in from his MCU co-workers and friends.

Marvel Studios quickly underlined that it wasn’t going to recast T’Challa or attempt a posthumous performance using CGI. This eventually resulted in the funereal Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with the characters mourning T’Challa clearly channeling their real emotions at Boseman’s death.

William Hurt (General Thaddeus Ross)

William Hurt had been with the MCU almost from the beginning. He made his debut in The Incredible Hulk and went on to appear in Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame, and Black Widow. Beyond the MCU Hurt was considered one of the greatest living actors, scoring three consecutive Best Actor Oscar nominations, and winning for 1985’s Kiss of the Spider-Woman.

Hurt was set to reprise the role in Captain America: Brave New World, with his character having become the President, though he died in March 2022 from complications relating to prostate cancer. Harrison Ford will succeed him as General Ross. Even a megastar like him has some big shoes to fill.

Ray Stevenson (Volstagg)

Ray Stevenson had already Frank Castle in The Punisher: War Zone by the time he arrived in the MCU. Here his impressive presence and gravitas were put to good use as the Asgardian Volstagg in Thor, and he went on to reprise the role in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok.

Stevenson also appeared in Rome, King Arthur, RRR, and most recently in Disney Plus’ Ahsoka as the enigmatic Baylan Skoll. In May 2023 Stevenson was hospitalized in Italy while shooting his latest movie Cassino in Ischia and died soon afterwards at the age of 59. No cause of death has been made public.

Powers Boothe (Gideon Malick)

Powers Boothe was a legendary character actor with a career stretching back to the mid-1970s. Over that time he appeared in Red Dawn, Nixon, Tombstone, Con Air, and Sin City on the big screen, while also turning heads with TV appearances in Deadwood, 24, Hatfields & McCoys, and a lot of voice work for DC Animation.

In the MCU he played Gideon Malick, one of the antagonists in The Avengers. In that movie, he was a member of the World Security Council that authorized a nuclear bomb to be deployed on Manhattan, with subsequent appearances on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. revealing him to have been a secret HYDRA agent all along.

Boothe died in 2017 from prostate cancer at the age of 68.

Garry Shandling (Senator Stern)

Garry Shandling was best known for The Larry Sanders Show which skewered late-night talk shows, scoring 18 Emmy nominations for it and winning Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 1998 for the series finale. Prior to that he’d also scored a hit with It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and had made big screen appearances in Dr. Dolittle, Zoolander, Over the Hedge, and The Dictator.

Shandling carved out a space for himself in the MCU as Senator Stern, who debuted in Iron Man 2. In that movie Stern argued that Tony Stark was dangerous and should hand his tech over to the US military. Unbeknownst to the American public Stern was secretly a HYDRA member. In The Winter Soldier, this duplicity was revealed and he was promptly arrested.

Shandling died in 2016 at the age of 66 from a pulmonary embolism linked to hyperparathyroidism, a disease he’d battled for many years.

Gaspard Ulliel (Anton Mogart)

Gaspard Ulliel had been impressing audiences and critics alike since his debut in 2001’s Brotherhood of the Wolf, going to play Hannibal Lector in Hannibal Rising, and picking up three consecutive Most Promising Actor nominations at the César Awards for Summer Things, Strayed, and A Very Long Engagement.

Ulliel died in January 2022 at the age of 37 after a tragic skiing accident in which he suffered serious brain trauma. He would make his posthumous MCU debut just a few months later in Moon Knight as Anton Mogart/Midnight Man in the episode “The Friendly Type”, which was dedicated to his memory.

Miguel Ferrer (Vice President Rodriguez)

Miguel Ferrer was a beloved character actor, noted for his appearances in Twin Peaks, RoboCop, Traffic, and NCIS: Los Angeles. As an interesting aside Spider-Man 2099 / Miguel O’Hara was named after Ferrer by his creator Peter David as a tribute to his friend.

Ferrer played Vice President Rodriguez in Iron Man 3, who was motivated by his daughter’s illness to team up with the villainous Aldrich Killian. He died at the age of 61 in January 2017 after complications arising from throat cancer.

Stan Lee (Various)

C’mon, I don’t need to introduce Stan Lee to you. In recognition of his long career in Marvel, he’d been making cameos on the big screen ever since 2000’s X-Men. Marvel Studios continued this tradition, and he would go on to appear in every MCU movie up until a posthumous cameo in Avengers: Endgame.

Aside from his cameos, Lee played himself in Entourage, The Big Bang Theory, and Mallrats, as well as a whole bunch of minor appearances in Marvel animated series and video games.

Lee died at the age of 95 in November 2018, with his death recorded as a combination of heart failure, pneumonia, and respiratory failure. He may be gone, but his globe-spanning Marvel legacy endures.

Who is the most underrated hero of the MCU? No, I’m not talking, say, Moon Knight or Mantis. The correct answer to that question should be Sarah Halley Finn, Marvel Studios’ expert casting director who’s been with the franchise all along. Finn really should be recognized as the MCU’s secret weapon as it’s thanks to her never-ending procession of spot-on casting choices that Marvel has been able to continually and consistently put out hit after hit and supply many of the most beloved movie characters in modern film history.

However, although those perfectly cast actors might seem clearly the best choices for their characters in hindsight, finding the right person to play Earth’s Mightiest Heroes has been a Herculean achievement every single time, with the MCU almost taking some very different turns on numerous occasions. As Finn revealed to Vanity Fair, there are many near-miss Marvel hero castings that came close to coming to . These days, it’s fascinating to look back on them and, like the Watcher, ponder the question, “What if…">Keanu can still play a new version of Ghost Rider.

Chadwick Boseman’s untimely ing on Aug. 28, 2020, was a shock to the system for fans worldwide, those who followed his journey as Marvel’s Black Panther, and those who were simply in awe of who he was as a person.

In addition to the power he brought to any screen he graced, he was a phenomenal human being — never missing an opportunity to lend a hand, going out of his way to make the day of a fan in his presence, and working closely with cancer charities to bring dreams come true to children in need, all while fighting his own battle in secret.

Boseman was an easy man to love, and his Black Panther co-star Lupita Nyong’o penned a beautiful tribute to him on the third anniversary of his ing that highlights his presence and continues to be and how she cared deeply for him.

“Three years ago today, I experienced a singular pain at the news of Chadwick Boseman. The confusion was so profound that it took months to trust the feeling of joy again. This is a photo I took on film at the airport as we arrived in South Korea in 2018. We had just learned to do the baby heart with our fingers. Here Chadwick was adding his suave flare . We spent a glorious 72 hours there, and the memory fills me with so much joy.”

Nyong’o being vulnerable about the hesitation she had in her heart to feel joy again is something anyone who has grieved a loss can relate to. It’s difficult to trust that happiness can exist in a place that holds so much pain, but she feels Boseman in her heart and reminds everyone who loved and looked up to him that he’s in theirs as well.

“Death is hard to understand, maybe even harder to accept. But the love generated from the life he lived will fuel every anniversary marking his absence. Chadwick may no longer be in our photos, but he will always be in our hearts.”

Looking back at his life can bring tears to your eyes, but it’s important to the good; a fan shared a blooper of Boseman as T’Challa, and it made us literally laugh out loud — so we wanted to share it with you, too.

May Boseman’s friends and loved ones continue to feel his life’s joy, and may the next plane of existence be beautiful for him.

MCU die-hards were bewildered by a fan question regarding criticism of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The discussion unfolded on the r/MarvelStudios subreddit, where a fan voiced dismay about the criticism of the film regarding its portrayal of King T’Challa’s demise and the gender of his successor.

The unexpected ing of Chadwick Boseman presented unprecedented hurdles for crafting a sequel to the iconic Black Panther film. Yet, under the guidance of filmmaker Ryan Coogler, the collective efforts of the production team, cast, and crew irably rose to the challenge, resulting in the poignant creation of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The movie deftly navigates the delicate balance of honoring Boseman’s memory, guiding viewers through the grieving process, and driving the narrative of Wakanda forward with remarkable finesse.

Incredibly, other community seemed oblivious to phenomena like the #RecastTchalla movement on social media.

Director Ryan Coogler courageously stood by his creative vision for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever despite growing demands for another actor to play the role of the fallen monarch. However, some fans in the Marvel Studios subreddit had some awareness of the conflict and dismissed the #RecastTchalla campaign as sour grapes.

Another Redditor recognized the emotional depth of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, acknowledging their mourning of Boseman’s ing while itting a preference for the sequel’s narrative over the original film.

So why do so fans appear unaware of the criticism directed at Black Panther: Wakanda Forever within some online communities? In reality, the majority of viewers loved the movie. It garnered a commendable 83% critic score and a near-perfect 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The audience’s reception of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever underscores the adage that empty barrels make the most noise.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is streaming on Disney Plus.

Harrison Ford might be saying goodbye to the Indiana Jones franchise but he’s adding another to his toolbelt soon thanks to ing the MCU in next year’s Captain America: Brave New World. And it actually seems like it’s helped him understand Indy a little better. Elsewhere, Secret Invasion‘s Kingsley Ben-Adir has revealed the bizarre coincidence that ties it in with another Marvel Disney Plus show from 2022. Lastly, Chadwick Boseman’s latest posthumous honor has Black Panther devotees emotional.

MCU convert Harrison Ford its Indiana Jones is not a hero compared to Captain America

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny whips its way into theaters this week, and it seems that Ford’s recent time making Captain America 4 has helped him better define the immortal archaeologist. The 80-year-old legend has itted that he thinks Indy movies are “not about heroes” as witnessing Anthony Mackie work his magic as Cap has convinced him Dr. Jones is a very different type of character. “I’ve just done a Marvel movie,” Ford said. “I know a hero when I see one. He’s got a cape. He can fly or something like that.” Or hulk out and turn red, huh, Mr. Ford?

Secret Invasion star reveals the show’s bizarrely specific similarity with Moon Knight

Secret Invasion star Kingsley Ben-Adir, who plays the leader of the insurrectionist Skrulls Gravik, has itted that he was inspired in his performance as the character by cult leaders, which means that the ongoing show has an unlikely coincidental parallel with Moon Knight. Ethan Hawke previously revealed that he was influenced by cult leaders, like David Koresh, in his portrayal of villain Arthur Harrow. If I had a nickel for every bad guy in a Disney Plus Marvel series who was inspired by cult leaders… I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.

Chadwick Boseman getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame leaves MCU fans once again in bits

Alongside other superhero movie veterans like Gal Gadot and Michelle Yeoh, Chadwick Boseman is set to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024. Three years on from his ing in 2020, Boseman remains a beloved figure in the Marvel multiverse for his unbeatable performance as Wakandan King T’Challa, so naturally this news is hitting fans hard. In fact, next year’s batch of newly starred celebs is very kind to the Marvel universe all-round, given that studio president Kevin Feige is likewise counted among them.

A would-be Black Widow director may be bashing the MCU, but despite what they might want the Marvel universe keeps on growing every day, so stay tuned for more news.

It’s been almost three years since Chadwick Boseman‘s tragic death, but the shocking announcement still feels like recent news. The acting legend and Black Panther star kept his illness a secret from everyone except his closest friends and family, continuing to work even as he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Since his ing, the accolades have continued to flood in, but one in particular has fans particularly teary-eyed. Today it was confirmed that Boseman will get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, alongside a 2024 intake that’ll include Kevin Feige, Gal Gadot, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Meledandri, Chris Pine, Christina Ricci, and Michelle Yeoh.

This recognition of Boseman’s talent once again has fans reaching for a tissue:

We’re a little surprised he didn’t have one already:

He won’t be forgotten:

Immortalized for decades to come:

Rest in power:

Let’s hope his entire family get to be there for the unveiling:

This unveiling will undoubtedly be a glowing tribute to Boseman’s life and career. It’s worth ing that he also did good work beyond inspiring millions with his performances. Boseman worked closely with cancer charities and helped to others battling the disease, as well as making arrangements to send gifts to childhood cancer patients just days before he died.

He also arranged for the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem to provide free tickets to see Black Panther, and donated $4.2 million in medical equipment to help black communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We miss him, and we’re happy to see him immortalized on the Walk of Fame.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame has revealed its 2024 class, and fans are thrilled to learn who has been inducted into the realm ahead of star ceremonies.

From award shows to standing ovations and seeing audiences or listeners brought to tears when experiencing your work, there are some recognitions so important and significant that it feels like that moment when all your dreams are finally coming true. Being part of the Walk of Fame class is one of those honors; it’s a moment a highly-regarded actor can look back at during an incredible career and know that their brilliance has been solidified in a major way.

The 2024 Hollywood Walk of Fame Class is one of the highest calibers we’ve seen in quite some time and is led by a talented and otherworldly honoree who we still have a hard time imagining isn’t with us any longer. From the magnificently gifted and brilliant to the larger-than-life and dearly departed, some of the brightest in the entertainment industry are in the lineup, and here’s a look at them.

Motion Pictures

We said we’ve got an all-star lineup, and we mean it. There is immense and immeasurable talent across all categories, but there’s something extra special about the Motion Picture category. Those nominated are as follows:

Chadwick Boseman (posthumous), Kevin Feige, Gal Gadot, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Meledandri, Chris Pine, Christina Ricci, and Michelle Yeoh.

With films like Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, Wonder Woman, Donnie Darko (come on, it’s a classic), Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Contractor, Sleepy Hollow, and Everything Everywhere All At Once — these stars have left a massive impact on the entertainment industry. Their stars on the Walk of Fame and their moment in Hollywood can’t be understated; they’ve changed us through their talent in film, carried us on grand adventures, and sat with us in joy and pain — what a treat it’s been to see them as so many characters and people who have lived exciting and impactful lives.

Also, in a special nod to Boseman, we have to speak on his heart as much as his talent; it was the privilege of a lifetime to be a fan of his and his contributions not just to acting but to life, love, and charity are a reminder that there is good in this world, and if you can’t find it — you can become it.

Television

The nominees in Television are also some of the best in the industry and have brought us so through many emotions throughout the years. From the good to the bad, the beloved to the loathed — they’ve helped tell important stories across the tv industry. Those nominated are:

Ken Jeong, Eugene Levy, Mario Lopez, Jim Nantz, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Schur, Kerry Washington, and Raúl De Molina and Lili Estefan, Co-Hosts of the television show “El Gordo y La Flaca.”

We’ve been wowed by them in everything from Community and Scandal to Abbott Elementary and The Office. They’ve made us laugh, brought tears to our eyes, and, most importantly, helped to tell stories that resonate with fans worldwide. Here’s to actors and actresses on television and the newest inductees into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Recording

Recording artists are often storytellers, and this year’s inductees are some of the greatest. From R&B to Country and Pop tracks, the songs of the Class of ’24 have helped us get through tough times, inspired us to believe in love and magic again, and helped set the mood for the perfect Friday cool down after a long week’s work. Those nominated in the recording category read as follows:

Glen Ballard, Toni Braxton, Def Leppard, Charles Fox, Sammy Hagar, Brandy Norwood, Darius Rucker, Gwen Stefani, and Andre’ Dr. Dre’ Young

With songs like “He Wasn’t Man Enough” to the ever-emotional “It Won’t Be Like This for Long” and even “Cool,” which takes all of us back to our first loves — the songs performed by these artists are part of the soundtrack of our lives, and we’re forever grateful for them.

Live Theater/Performance

While watching a film or TV show and listening to a song via a record player or in your car is a beautiful way to enjoy entertainment, there’s nothing like a live performance.

Nominated for the Class of 2024 are Jane Krakowski and Otis Redding (posthumous) — and rightfully so. Krakowski is a legend in her own right and phenomenal to watch. Otis Redding was on a level all his own; and is regarded as one of the most outstanding singers/songwriters in history, and his star on the Walk of Fame is well deserved. Anytime we hear “Try a Little Tenderness” or “I’ve Been Loving you Too Long,” we feel grateful to exist at a time when Redding’s music is available to our ears.

Radio

Angie Martinez is receiving a star for Radio, and as a podcaster responsible for some of the most heartwarming, iconic, and hilarious interviews in recent times, we’d say this is a well-deserved moment. Martinez has shared chats with Janelle Monae, Teyana Taylor, Kelly Clarkson, and the apple of our eyes, Idris Elba — and they’ve been as insightful as they are exciting to listen to.

Sports Entertainment

Billie Jean King and Carl Weathers were nominated in the category of Sports Entertainment, and both nominations are well deserved. The legendary tennis icon Billie Jean King took to social media to share her gratitude for the historical moment and also shared that she is the first woman athlete to receive this distinction. It’s not just an honor that lends to her talent, ion, and dedication; it’s a critical moment for so many.

Carl Weathers knows a thing or two about sports, playing professional football before becoming an actor. He is well versed in what it takes to lend your talents and ion to the sports realm and how that can translate into acting, too. There are some names so iconic in the industry that it’s hard to think of the sports realm without them; King and Weathers are two of the greatest.

Here’s to the Class of 2024.

Chadwick Boseman‘s impact on the entertainment realm during his life and career was monumental, and after his untimely ing in 2020, those who knew and loved him best have made it a mission to keep his light shining; continually being motivated by the legacy and kindness he left behind.

This year’s Oscars ceremony allowed for a beautiful tribute to Boseman to take place in two parts; once as Danai Gurira announced Rihanna taking the stage to sing “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and again as Ruth E. Carter took the stage to give a speech after winning costume design for the second installment in the Black Panther universe.

Speaking to TMZ, Boseman’s cousin Allen Boseman says that the legacy he left behind and how Hollywood continues to carry it is something extraordinary.

“It’s been incredible how Chadwick has been received by the entire Hollywood family and how his legacy continues to live on. Even though he’s physically gone, his spirit remains in the hearts and minds of his peers and fellow actors and actresses on Hollywood’s biggest stage. While he was a figurative king in the movie, he appears to be a real king to many others, including those in our family.”

On her co-star and Wakandan King, Gurira said the following during last night’s Oscars ceremony:

“Chadwick embodied the Wakandan King, T’Challa. The one chosen to uplift, to protect, to keep us safe. His legacy will live on for future generations…Thank you, King.”

It goes without saying that audiences worldwide see Boseman as T’Challa, as the Black Panther and the King of Wakanda, but they also see him as a hero when the set lights turn off and the costume is put away. Boseman often volunteered with cancer foundations, visiting children at hospitals and providing them with life-changing experiences — moments in time when cancer wasn’t at the forefront of their minds.

With the realization that Boseman ed away from cancer, those visits to places like St. Jude and other centers for children’s cancer research meant more than ever; he truly realized the weight of what those children were up against, recognizing what it was like to fight for your life. It wasn’t just a series of hospital visits that made Boseman stand out above the rest; it was the very heart he led with and the comion he had for everyone around him.

Costume designer Ruth E. Carter won the Oscar for Best Costume Design in the 2023 ceremony, and she paid homage to Boseman as she spoke about how Wakanda Forever prepared her for a personal tragedy she recently experienced: the loss of her mother. In a sweet sentiment, she sent a lovely request to Boseman.

“Chadwick, please take care of mom.”

Carter’s mother was 101 when she became an ancestor, and we’re sure Boseman opened his heart when she made it to the next plane of existence alongside him. Those we love and lose never really leave us; and we can continue to honor them by living out their light and love for the rest of our days — like those who continue to honor Boseman in everything they do.