Holly Robinson Peete Recalls Rise From Poverty to Success at Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

Holly Robinson Peete Star (Credit: YouTube)

Holly Robinson Peete received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tuesday and reflected on her journey to success.

The actress was honored for a career that has included roles on 21 Jump Street and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, in addition to appearing in 15 Hallmark movies.

“I’m just feeling really grateful and thanking God I have the chance to arrive at this moment in my life because so many people do not get this opportunity,” Robinson Peete said in her opening remarks before thanking her mother, Dolores Robinson, her manager for 30 years.

The 57-year-old actress credited much of her career success to her mother’s “vision and her decision to do a page-one rewrite of her life and her audacity to dream of something bigger for her and her children.”

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“After a tough divorce, she threw us in a station wagon and drove us cross country from Philly to L.A. And I was nine, Matt was 12. We didn’t have two nickels to rub together, but none of that deterred her,” she said before her voice cracked.

“Thank you mommy because none of this happens without your courage to take that leap of faith in 1974,” she continued while wiping away tears.

Robinson Peete also thanked the late actor Cleavon Jake Little, whom she fondly called “Uncle Cleavon,” for allowing her family to stay with him rent-free in Malibu while they got their footing again.

She additionally thanked her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, whom she has been married to since 1995.

“Rodney Peete, my quarterback, I just thank you so much for being such a committed life partner for 29 years since we first met,” she said. “You have always encouraged me to soar in whatever I do … and let’s just keep getting better and loving each other and keep making it happen.”

On hand to cheer Robinson Peete on were Mark Curry, LeVar Burton and Earvin  “Magic” Johnson.

The Lakers icon acknowledged her tireless charity work and said she broke the glass ceiling for other Black women in the industry.

21 Jump Street was one of my favorites, and Hanging with Mr. Cooper was one of my favorites, but you as a woman is what I love,  your
heart, and what you’ve done for autism, for all those wonderful people you’ve touched and saved their lives,” Johnson said.

“I know what it means to be a Black woman,” he added. “You’ve represented so many women, because of your success, they knew that they could have success on TV and in films. And so that is amazing in itself. You’re a trailblazer in so many different ways.”

Robinson Peete’s next project is Hallmark’s The Road Ahead in which she will play a famous actress on a cross country trip with a wilderness expert.

Watch the full Walk of Fame ceremony below: