Oprah Winfrey, Eddie Murphy Pay Tribute to Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter at Walk of Fame Ceremony

Famed costume designer Ruth E. Carter today was etched among the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming only the second costume designer to receive the honor.

Carter’s star, which sits at 6800 Hollywood Blvd., was unveiled in a virtual ceremony that featured remarks from two icons who have worked with her in the past: Oprah Winfrey and Eddie Murphy.

Winfrey, in a video message, praised Carter for her ability to place actors in costumes that accurately reflect the culture and history of the characters they play.

“Ruth holds within her an awareness and knowledge of our culture and history and is able to beautifully weave the two together to create fully formed characters even before they speak a word. I say this from experience,” said Winfrey who worked with Cater on “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and “Selma.”

“What strikes me most [about Ruth] is the ease in which she works to create an entire mood through her impeccable design choices,” Winfrey said. “What this does is allow any actress that is working with Ruth to really surrender cause you know Ruth has got your back, literally, and is going to put the clothes on your back in a way that is going to enhance your ability to step into the character.”

Eddie Murphy, who worked with Carter on the original “Coming to America,” “Dolemite is My Name” and the upcoming “Coming 2 America” sequel, was ecstatic that she was receiving her due on the Walk of Fame.

“Ruth Carter is a genius,” Murphy said in his video remarks. “Of all the movies I’ve done over the years, I never had a wardrobe designer influence how you play your character, how you walk, how you stand. She really is instrumental in bringing your characters to life. There’s no one like her.”

Carter, 60, is the 2,694th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and only the second costume designer to receive the honor. Edith Head, who received her star in 1960 when the Walk of Fame was created, was the first. Carter is the first Black costume designer to receive the honor.

In her remarks, Carter reflected on her long journey from Springfield, MA, to Los Angeles 36 years ago to pursue her dream of costume designing in films. She dedicated her star to all the young, aspiring filmmakers.

“Every moment, every sacrifice, every effort was hard work, inspired by my passion,” Carter said. “It’s my hope that anybody who sacrifices, who beats these streets of Hollywood carrying their dreams in heavy garment bags full of costumes desiring to be the best, like I did—that when you gaze upon my star, you feel my energy, feel the power of your unique story to realize your dreams so you too can reach your star.”

Carter also took a moment to thank all the directors, producers, actors, artists she’s worked with, and her family.

“Know that you are in my heart,” she said. “It is full with the deepest gratitude for being able to tell our stories by any means necessary. Thank you for seeing the depth of culture of history, artistry, and welcoming my vision of afro-futurism into the lexicon of American filmmaking.”

The ceremony, hosted by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Rana Ghadban, also featured Carted receiving a proclamation from the city of Los Angeles hailing today, Ruth Carter Day.

Watch Ruth E. Carter’s Hollywood of Fame ceremony and see photos from the event below:

(Photos courtesy of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce)