Legendary Actress Jenifer Lewis Is Getting Her Own Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

She is most deserving!

Legendary actress Jenifer Lewis is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ebony reports. 

If you are a Black culture aficionado, then Lewis is no stranger to you. A staple in the cultural zeitgeist Lewis is often referred to as “The Mother of Black Hollywood.” Her sharp looks and wit have been ever-present across televisions for the past three decades and in recent years, she’s become a fan favorite on social media. The St. Louis, Missouri native got her start on stage when she was just 5 years old, singing in the church choir. During the 1970s, she relocated to New York, getting her first role in the 1979 musical Eubie, based on the work of American composer Eubie Blake. 

Over the years, Lewis’ star power would only grow, starring in her first TV appearance on Bette Midler’s HBO specials and her first film role as a singer in the 1988 film Beaches. Lewis then played Dean Davenport on the hit show A Different World from 1992 to 1993 and as Will Smith’s Aunt Helen in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1991 to 1996. She would continue for decades, appearing in more than 400 television episodes, 68 movies, 40 animations, and four Broadway shows including classics like Friends, What’s Love Got to Do With It, The Princess and the Frog, Mickey Mouse Funhouse, Rugrats, Hairspray, and Cars I, II, and III. Most recently, Lewis wrapped up an eight-season run on ABC’s trailblazing comedy black-ish.

This past April, the International Press Academy honored Lewis with the 2022 Honorary Satellite Award for her contributions to the entertainment industry and her charitable work. Now, Lewis is getting her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

“Jenifer Lewis is considered a national treasure and a force to be reckoned with. She is one of those performers who always keeps the audience on their toes! I placed Jenifer’s star next to one of her all-time favorite actresses, the legendary Katharine Hepburn. Those ladies are two peas in a pod, as both delved in Human Rights activities and are known to be as feisty as all get out!,” said Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez. 

In addition to her most recent accolades, Lewis is also an author. Her autobiography, The Mother of Black Hollywood was on the best-sellers list nationally in 2017, and her second book, Walking in My Joy: In These Streets is set for release on August 30. 

Lewis’ Walk of Fame ceremony will take place on July 15, hosted by Lupita Sanchez Cornejo. She will be presented with her star by six-time Emmy Award winner Debbie Allen and Tony and Grammy Award-winner Marc Shaiman. The entire event will be streamed live at WalkOfFame.com.

Watch the full ceremony below. 

Congratulations, Ms. Lewis!! Thank you for being such a bright light on and off screen. 

Photo Courtesy of Timothy Norris/Getty Images