Viola Davis first Hollywood Walk of Fame Star recipient of 2017

Viola Davis, who’s currently starring on the big screen in Fences opposite Denzel Washington, received the first Hollywood Walk of Fame Star of 2017 yesterday (Jan. 5).

A two-time Academy Award nominee, Viola was presented the star by Meryl Streep, her Doubt (2008) co-star.

In her speech, Meryl said: “She is arguably the most immediate, responsive artist I have ever worked with. She is so alive, she glistens. She is a gift to writers. She plants herself in a scene where she has no words, and she writes paragraphs with her eyes.”

Also in attendance were Viola’s Fences co-stars, including Denzel Washington, who gave a speech at the luncheon following the ceremony.

You can watch the ceremony in its entirety below. ~Alexandra Heilbron