Black Excellence is on full display with the new list of inductees on the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Prince, The Isley Brothers, Glynn Turman, and Sherri Shepherd, are among 30 new stars to be added to the 2025 Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of motion pictures, television, live theatre/live performance, radio, recording, and sports entertainment.
The Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors finalized the list earlier this month. Niecy Nash, Joe Mantegna, Jimmy Jam, and Steven Nissen, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president, announced the honorees on Monday, June 24.
Celebrated actor Turman, who starred in Cooley High, has over 175 acting credits since the early 1960s. Among his most popular roles: Colonel Brad Taylor in A Different World,
Spencer Phillips in The Inkwell, and Mayor Clarence V. Royce in The Wire.Other motion picture stars to be honored with Walk
of Fame stars include horror and action filmmaker John Carpenter, Oscar winning actress Jessica Chastain, and Nia Long who took to Twitter to celebrate the news.“WALK OF FAME CLASS OF 2025!?! Me? MY VERY OWN STAR??!!!?? WOW!!!” she wrote. “My mother used to tell me when I was a little girl I would have a star on the HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME one day. I never really believed it was possible.”
“Life was hard back then. Today, a dream came true for both of us,” she added. “I’m so grateful to be included with this amazing group of artists. Thank you, Jesus!!! Thank you to all of you who continue to support my artistry. Thank you, @WalkofFameStar, for this incredible honor. I love you, Mommy. ♥️”
Shepherd is among the TV stars to receive their own star on the Walk of Fame along with the likes of Emmy award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance, Saturday Night Live alumnus Molly Shannon, and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Music icon Prince will receive a star posthumously after turning down the honor twice in his life.
“He was on my wish list,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, told TheWrap shortly after his death in 2016. “But he felt that it wasn’t the right time.” The “Purple Rain” singer was not eligible to be nominated again until at least five years after his death.
Others honored with a star in the recording category include Fantasia, Busta Rhymes, Depeche Mode, and Green Day. Misty Copeland and Alan Cumming will be honored with stars in the live theatre and performance category. David Beckham and Orel Hershiser are being recognized for sports entertainment, while Adam Carolla is the sole honoree in the radio category this year.
Rules to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame include the star agreeing to receive the star. This was implemented after the organization was forced to cancel a ceremony planned for a Bruce Springsteen star, which the singer turned down due to not wanting to receive one.
Anyone can nominate the star. The nominator or star will just need to pay a $30,000 fee, which covers the plaque’s maintenance and the ceremony’s production costs.
Additionally, there must be a commitment from the nominated star to attend the ceremony if they’re alive. Honorees have up to two years after they are chosen to set a date for their ceremonies.