Keith David will receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star next year – much to his own surprise.
The actor, 69, boasts a prolific career in the movie industry, with nearly 50 years of experience and some 400 film and television credits. With a deep baritone voice and stately stage presence, David has become a casting coach favorite for both lead and supporting roles, lending his narration to “The Princess and the Frog” and acting in “Armageddon.”
The announcement nevertheless came as a surprise to him, per a video posted to social media. In it, the “Greenleaf” star is seen watching as the names for next year’s Walk of Fame stars are listed out. When they arrive at his name, his jaw drops and he looks around in surprise before clapping his hand to his mouth.
Cheers can be heard in the background, and his wife says tearfully, “Happy 70th Birthday.”
“Oh my God,” David replies, clearly emotional, before his wife ventures into the frame for an embrace. He wipes away tears before thanking his spouse again, who seemingly nominated him for the honor. To receive a star on the storied Los Angeles promenade, an actor must be nominated by an individual and agree to appear at the ceremony.
Selections are made by the Walk of Fame Selection Committee and voted on by the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors, and are most often awarded to those stars who have both high achievement and longevity in Hollywood.
“What a surprise! Being blessed to get to do this for a living is enough for me; to be recognized for my contribution to the arts is the cherry on top,” David wrote alongside the video posted to X.
