Courtney B. Vance's Walk of Fame Star Unveiled

A Star Stands for Excellence

A new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled, honoring Courtney B. Vance for his remarkable acting career that has earned him two Emmys. The ceremony took place at 7007 Hollywood Blvd., between Orange and Sycamore avenues. Vance was joined by his wife, Angela Bassett, and their 19-year-old twins, Bronwyn and Slater, who were also present at the 2008 event when Bassett received her own star. John Landgraf, chairman of FX Networks, was also in attendance.

Vance expressed his deep gratitude during the ceremony, saying, “To receive this incredible honor, this incredible award, to hear nice things said about me by John Landgraf, Angela and Bronwyn, in front of my peers, my family and friends — I’m just very, very full and grateful.” He reflected on the significance of the moment, noting, “I saw this honor bestowed upon my wife, March 20, 2008, when our children were almost 2 and I remember how huge a day it was for both our families. And to return to this hallowed place directly across the street from where she was honored and have that same honor bestowed upon me is really more happiness than I emotionally can bear.”

Career Highlights and Achievements

Vance’s first Emmy came in 2016 for outstanding lead actor in a limited series or movie for his portrayal of attorney Johnnie Cochran in “The People v O.J. Simpson,” the first season of the FX biographical crime drama anthology series “American Crime Story.” His star is the 2,831st star since the completion of the Walk of Fame in 1961 with the initial 1,558 stars.

Born March 12, 1960, in Detroit, Vance received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama, where he met Bassett.

Early Career and Television Breakthroughs

Vance made his television debut as “Male Student #2” in CBS’ 1983 made-for-television movie “First Affair” about a Harvard freshman (Melissa Sue Anderson) who has an affair with the husband (Joel Higgins) of her literature professor (Loretta Swit). After appearing in an extensive list of other made-for-television movies, Vance’s first role as a series cast member came in 2001 as prosecutor Ron Carver in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” He remained with the NBC crime and legal drama through 2006.

Vance was also a cast member of the 2009-10 ABC science fiction series, “FlashForward.” In 2021, he received his second Emmy nomination and victory for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for the episode of the HBO horror series “Lovecraft Country,” in which his character is killed.

Film and Stage Success

Vance’s feature film debut came in the 1987 war film “Hamburger Hill” about the 1969 assault during the Vietnam War. His other film credits include “The Hunt for Red October,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” “The Adventures of Huck Finn” and “Lilo & Stitch,” which was released in May.

In addition to his film work, Vance has received Tony Award nominations for each of the three plays he has appeared in on Broadway. He was nominated in 1987 for best featured actor in a play for his portrayal of Cory, the teenage son of a trash collector (James Earl Jones), a role he had earlier played in its Yale Repertory Theatre production.

Vance was nominated for best actor in a play in 1991 for “Six Degrees of Separation” for his performance as a con artist who first tries to victimize a wealthy couple (Stockard Channing and John Cunningham) then a young couple recently arrived in New York City (Robert Duncan McNeill and Mari Nelson). He received the Tony for best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play in 2013 for playing New York Daily News editor James “Hap” Hairston in “Lucky Guy” about the 1980s New York City tabloid wars.