After decades of trailblazing in television, film, and theater, Jamaican-American actress Sheryl Lee Ralph has officially received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ralph, the daughter of Jamaican fashion designer Ivy Ralph and college professor Stanley Ralph, had postponed the ceremony that was scheduled for earlier this year due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
On Wednesday, Ralph was honored with the 2,808th star on the Walk of Fame, in the television category, cementing her legacy as one of the entertainment industry’s most enduring talents. The ceremony took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and brought out a bevy of stars, family, and supporters to celebrate her storied career.
From her Emmy Award-winning role as “Barbara” on Abbott Elementary, to her memorable portrayal of stepmother Dee in Moesha, and her iconic Broadway run as Deena in Dreamgirls, Ralph’s career has spanned genres and generations. Known for her commanding presence and versatility, she has long been considered a multi-hyphenate force in the industry.
The Walk of Fame, which honors outstanding contributions to the entertainment world, is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Honorees are chosen by a select committee of their peers, and each star is funded by sponsors who also support the ceremony and upkeep of the landmark.
The event was officiated by entertainment host Nischelle Turner and featured heartfelt speeches from Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson, as well as Ralph’s longtime friend and fellow actress Loretta Devine. Actress Jennifer Lewis, the cast of Abbott Elementary, and Ralph’s children—daughter Ivy Coco Maurice and son Etienne Maurice—joined her husband and numerous Delta Sigma Theta sorors in attendance.
Jerry Neuman, the 2025/2026 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, kicked off the celebration by recognizing Ralph’s impact and charisma. “As a point of privilege, you are more stunning in person than on screen. She’s a triple threat: you are an amazing entertainer, and thank you for what you do for our industry,” he said.
Ralph, moved by the occasion, delivered a powerful and emotional speech. “There are so many people in the audience that means so much to me,” she said. “I can still feel the determined spirit of that little girl who dared to dream big. Growing up, I felt my big dreams had to be whispered, because that kind of ambition could be mistaken for arrogance. I have been counted out, I have been passed over, I have been told I was too Black, too strong, and too much, and yet, here, I stand.”
She paid tribute to the Black actresses who paved the way for her success. “This star isn’t just mine, it belongs to every performer who made space for me, when there seemed to be no space. Ruby Dee, Rosalind Cash, Cicely Tyson, Virginia Capers, and many more women whose brilliance lit the path for me during my darkest professional moments. This star is for the work still to come, for the legacy I leave, walking in their footsteps and Mr. Poitier’s too. Making the path wider for young artists to follow.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph closed with a message to aspiring dreamers and those told they’re “too much.” “For all those thinking it can’t happen to you, thinking your dreams don’t matter, you keep on going. You keep doing the work. Dreams don’t have an expiration date.”
