After many years of trailblazing in tv, movie, and theater, Jamaican-American actress Sheryl Lee Ralph has formally acquired her star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame.
Ralph, the daughter of Jamaican dressmaker Ivy Ralph and faculty professor Stanley Ralph, had postponed the ceremony that was scheduled for earlier this 12 months as a result of Los Angeles wildfires.
On Wednesday, Ralph was honored with the two,808th star on the Stroll of Fame, within the tv class, cementing her legacy as one of many leisure business’s most enduring abilities. The ceremony occurred in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and introduced out a bevy of stars, household, and supporters to have fun her storied profession.
From her Emmy Award-winning function 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 profession has spanned genres and generations. Identified for her commanding presence and flexibility, she has lengthy been thought of a multi-hyphenate power within the business.
The Stroll of Fame, which honors excellent contributions to the leisure world, is run by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Honorees are chosen by a choose committee of their friends, and every star is funded by sponsors who additionally help the ceremony and maintenance of the landmark.
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The occasion was officiated by leisure host Nischelle Turner and featured heartfelt speeches from Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson, in addition to Ralph’s longtime good friend and fellow actress Loretta Devine. Actress Jennifer Lewis, the forged of Abbott Elementary, and Ralph’s youngsters—daughter Ivy Coco Maurice and son Etienne Maurice—joined her husband and quite a few 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 impression and charisma. “As some extent of privilege, you might be extra beautiful in particular person than on display screen. She’s a triple menace: you might be an incredible entertainer, and thanks for what you do for our business,” he mentioned.
Ralph, moved by the event, delivered a strong and emotional speech. “There are such a lot of folks within the viewers which means a lot to me,” she mentioned. “I can nonetheless really feel the decided spirit of that little lady who dared to dream large. Rising up, I felt my large goals needed to be whispered, as a result of that sort of ambition might be mistaken for vanity. I’ve been counted out, I’ve been handed over, I’ve been instructed I used to be too Black, too sturdy, and an excessive amount of, and but, right here, I stand.”
She paid tribute to the Black actresses who paved the best way for her success. “This star isn’t simply mine, it belongs to each performer who made house for me, when there appeared to be no house. Ruby Dee, Rosalind Money, Cicely Tyson, Virginia Capers, and plenty of extra ladies whose brilliance lit the trail for me throughout my darkest skilled moments. This star is for the work nonetheless to come back, for the legacy I go away, strolling of their footsteps and Mr. Poitier’s too. Making the trail wider for younger artists to observe.”
Sheryl Lee Ralph closed with a message to aspiring dreamers and people instructed they’re “an excessive amount of.” “For all these pondering it could possibly’t occur to you, pondering your goals don’t matter, you retain on going. You retain doing the work. Goals don’t have an expiration date.”
