Berry, who famously sobbed on stage after winning her best actress Oscar in 2002 for "Monster's Ball," told a crowd of well-wishers on Hollywood Boulevard she had succumbed to another bout of the waterworks.
"I want to officially state that I am an emotional retard," the 40-year-old said. "I am so emotional ... as soon as I saw the crowds of people and friends here, I started to cry."
Berry's star is the 2,333rd to be laid on the "Walk of Fame" and comes ahead of the release of her latest film, crime drama "Perfect Stranger" alongside Bruce Willis.
The actress was initially due to receive her star in 2003 but conflicting schedules prevented her from receiving it until now, officials said.
Berry moved into acting after finishing as runner-up in the 1986 Miss USA pageant.
Since making her feature film debut in Spike Lee's acclaimed "Jungle Fever" in 1991, Berry has appeared in a series of hits including "X-Men" and the James Bond film "Die Another Day."