Chadwick Boseman's legacy was honored by fans, friends and family as the late "Black Panther" actor received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The ceremony came five years after his death on Aug. 29, 2020, at the age of 43, following a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

While most Walk of Fame inductee ceremonies are ecstatic celebrations, a looming sorrow hovered over the Los Angeles event on Thursday, Nov. 20, as the "42" star could not be there himself. Instead, a pair of shoes was placed on his star, and his loved ones celebrated on his behalf.

Chadwick Boseman's wife remembers late 'Black Panther' actor

Boseman's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward Boseman, said having her husband's name cemented onto the Walk of Fame falls short of having him around. "This star, as beautiful as it is on the Walk of Fame, shines a whole lot less brighter than Chadwick is in heaven," she said.

"Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry. We recognize your skill and your devotion and we cement your legacy as a hero and icon," Boseman's wife said during her remarks. "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 and we thank you."

She was also accompanied by Boseman's brothers, Derrick Boseman and Kevin Boseman.

Chadwick Boeman remembered by 'Black Panther' family Michael B. Jordan, Letitia Wright and director Ryan Coogler

His Marvel family was also in attendance, including "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler as well as his co-stars Michael B. Jordan and Letitia Wright.

"When I think of Chadwick Boseman, I think of three things: leadership, teaching and generosity," Coogler said while wearing a pendant engraved with Boseman's face. "He was an incredible leader." Before delivering his speech, the "Sinners" actor tried to compose himself. He said he hadn't spoken directly of Boseman in a public setting since his death.

When Boseman's Walk of Fame star was unveiled, Wright and Jordan were by his wife's side, and at one point Jordan visibly shook off feelings of grief.

Viola Davis says she has 'to believe that Chadwick is still alive'

Viola Davis, visibly emotional, opened up about grieving her "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" costar during her remarks. "I have to believe that Chadwick is still alive," Davis said. "I can't use the word 'gone' or 'death' really when thinking about him."

The Oscar-winning actress recounted meaningful conversations with Boseman on the set of the Netflix musical film that profoundly moved her.

"We did 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' soon before he left us, and he was always trying to engage me on the set, always sort of telling me in unassuming ways that," she said. "I think that he understood the cap of success but the true power and significance of transcendence and that was usually the gist of all of our conversations ... What happens when you realize that you're possibly transitioning? That there's something else, right?"

"I celebrate him today. And I say to him, I hope all the angels in heaven just sang him to a beautiful rest," Davis continued. "And I thank him for what he left behind in me, which is a burning ember that always guides me to a higher meaning of my work and my purpose."

Contributing: Pamela Avila, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Viola Davis honors Chadwick Boseman in Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony

Reporting by Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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