2023 is shaping up to be the year of Michael B. Jordan.
On Wednesday, the actor, producer, and director was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures.
Ana Martinez, a producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, lauded Jordan for his vast accomplishments in the entertainment industry.
“Michael B. Jordan has become a household name thanks to his many roles on the big screen,” Martinez said. “To think that this star didn’t grow up with dreams of being an actor! Luckily for us, he changed his mind and now he will be honored with an iconic star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
During the ceremony, EBONY February 2023 cover star Jonathan Majors and acclaimed director Ryan Coogler were guest speakers.
Majors compared Jordan’s journey as an actor to the 12 labors performed by Hercules in Greek mythology.
“At the end (of the Hercules myth), he goes 12 rounds and the gods come down and they take him to Mount Olympus, and he transforms from man to deity, from temporary to eternal,” Majors said. “Today, brother, you go from man to god. You sit amongst Olympus.”
During his speech, Jordan expressed his gratitude for the honor as reflected on his remarkable career.
“I’m extremely humbled and grateful to be here. It’s not lost on me on how special this moment is and what this represents to our community. So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you,” Jordan said.
“Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, the idea of receiving an honor like this was like a dream,” he added. “But I’ve always been a dream chaser and never been afraid of hard work.”
Jordan also paid tribute to Coogler with whom he first collaborated on Fruitvale Station.
“To say I appreciate you, Ryan would be an understatement. My gratitude to you for believing in me is never-ending," he said.
The Walk of Fame honor comes two days before the world premiere of Creed III, in which Jordan makes his feature film directorial debut on Friday, March 3, 2023. Along with Jordan and Majors, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Wood Harris, all reprise their roles in the third installment of the series. Florian Munteanu, Selenis Leyva, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Spence Moore II, Mila Davis-Kent and Canelo Alvarez are also featured in the highly-anticipated film.
Additionally, Jordan is starring and producing Rainbow Six, a reboot of The Thomas Crowne Affair, Methuselah, I Am Legend 2 with Will Smith and the Coogler-directed Wrong Turn.
