Jude Law was overcome with emotion as he expressed admiration for his family who have “lived with and supported” his passion for acting over the years, adding “they know what they mean to me, I love them so much”.
The British star said being recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was a “delightful honour” and a “really special day” as he was accompanied by his wife of five years, Phillipa Coan.
Also at the ceremony was his two oldest children, actor Rafferty and model Iris, who he shares his first wife, actress Sadie Frost.
“Unlike playing an instrument or writing or painting, you can’t act alone,” Law said in a speech.
“It’s a frustrating side of the job, but the need to collaborate is very much at the heart of the medium’s biggest reward.
“And some of you here, and many, many others that I’ve collaborated with over 30 years, people who I’ve learned from and been encouraged by, guided by, inspired by – they’re the reason I have this star.”
Praising his family, The Holiday actor Law said that the collaboration “starts at home”.
“I’ve been very, very lucky to have had a family around me that have lived with and supported my passion for acting and filmmaking, and some of those members of my lovely family are here today.
“They know what they mean to me, I love them so much,” Law said, becoming emotional.
The actor continued to say he had a mother who showed him “the great silent movies and the comedies, musicals and dramas of the Hollywood Golden Era, American New Wave, (and) foreign movies” while he had a father who took him to the film rental shop Blockbuster in the 70s and 80s “where we ate our body weight in popcorn and chocolate”.
“So to have a place here among the talent that I grew up watching in all those films, is both sublime and ridiculous,” the 51-year-old added.
Oscar-nominated Law received a nod in 2000 for his supporting role as Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr Ripley – which also won him a Bafta – and again four years later for his leading role in Cold Mountain as Inman.
During his three-decade career, he has starred in The Grand Budapest Hotel and JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts franchise portraying Albus Dumbledore, as well as Dr John Watson in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes series.
Law will next be seen in Justin Kurzel’s The Order, opposite Nicholas Hoult and Jurnee Smollett.
Appearing on the stage, Smollett said Law handled “deeply painful” themes of white supremacy in America with “the utmost care” on the set of The Order, while his depiction of a veteran FBI agent is “nothing short of extraordinary”
“I truly feel that Jude is one of the greatest actors of his generation,” the 38-year-old actress said.
“You have the courage to allow your heart to break on screen and that’s a rare quality, doing so helps us the audience feel seen, and we feel less alone in watching your work.”
Smollett added that she had a “big crush” on his character Dickie Greenleaf from The Talented Mr Ripley when she was younger, making the audience laugh.
Law could be heard saying “I nearly cried, so beautiful” after she concluded her speech.
Most recently, Law portrayed Captain Hook in Peter Pan And Wendy in 2023, directed by US filmmaker David Lowery.
During the Walk of Fame ceremony, Lowery said Law learnt to sword fight with his left hand for the role, which was “indicative of how up for a challenge he is”.
The 43-year-old added that Law approaches his work with humility, kindness and generosity.
