“Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “The Piano Lesson” are just three of the classic plays written by the late legendary playwright August Wilson.
His body of work on the 20th Century African-American experience has earned Wilson a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wilson is one of three honorees in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category, and is among the 35 total luminaries and celebrities for the 2021 list. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce made the announcement on its Facebook page.
Variety reports that honorees from hundreds of nominations were chosen during a June meeting of the selection committee. The final list was then approved by the Hollywood Chamber’s board of directors.
“The panel has done an exemplary job in choosing very talented people,” said radio personality Ellen K alongside president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Rana Ghadban,” according to Variety. “We can’t wait to see each and every honoree’s face as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history as we unveil their star on the world’s most famous walkway.”
Wilson is probably best known for “The Pittsburgh Cycle,” a series of 10 plays that won him two Pulitzer Prizes.
Besides “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and the “The Piano Lesson,” the other seven plays in the cycle are “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Seven Guitars,” “Gem of the Ocean,” “Two Trains Running,” “King Hedley,” “Radio Golf” and “Jitney.”
Wilson, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, set nine of the plays in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, while “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is set in Chicago.
The beloved scribe was born Frederick August Kittel. He died on Oct. 16, 2005, at 60 in Seattle, Washington, from liver cancer.
Some of the other Hollywood Walk of Fame honorees include Don Cheadle, Morris Chestnut, Nick Cannon, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, and Jazz legend Charlie Parker.
This year’s star ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19, with those honorees still waiting for their ceremony to take place.
