Chadwick Boseman was only 43 when he passed away after fighting cancer privately. His wife, whom he married quietly, has been honoring him at award shows.
Chadwick Boseman was only 43 when he died of a private battle with colon cancer in 2020. His dedication to his craft and his kindness are something people still continue to talk about. While alive, he had become an icon with his role in titular role Marvel's Black Panther. In death, he became a bigger persona, who will be remembered with the greats.
Boseman had quietly married his girlfriend Taylor Simone Ledward before passing away, and she had the honor of accepting an award on his behalf at the Golden Globe. He was nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. The actor's portrayal of an emotionally unstable musician in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was heartbreaking, to say the least.
Ledward accepted the award on his behalf after his posthumous win. Her speech brought many to tears, including to herself. "He would thank God. He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifice. He would thank his incredible team Michael Greene, Azeem Chiba, Nicki Fioravante, Evelyn O'Neill, Chris Huvane, Logan Coles. He would thank his team on set for this film -- Deidra Dixon, Sian Richards, Craig Anthony, and Andrew Carlone," she said of her husband, according to CNN.
#GoldenGlobes
— ✩ milo ✩ - sufjanication era (@hotsouthernboy) March 1, 2021
i miss him so much, no one deserves it more than him... rest in power chadwick boseman, you are an inspiration to us all pic.twitter.com/fp3ZIVvamE
She further added that the Da 5 Bloods actor "would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you you can, that tells you to keep going, that calls you back to what you're meant to be doing at this moment in history."
"He would thank Mr. George C. Wolfe, Mr. Denzel Washington, lots of people at Netflix. He would thank Ms. Viola Davis, Mr. Glynn Turman, Mr. Michael Potts, Mr. Colman Domingo, Ms. Taylour Paige, Mr. Dusan Brown. And I don't have his words, but we have to take a moment to celebrate those we love. So thank you HFPA for this opportunity to do exactly that. And, hun, you keep 'em coming. Thank you," she added.
Chadwick Boseman forever. ❤️
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) March 1, 2021
Remembering the actor through his incredible #GoldenGlobes-winning performance in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. pic.twitter.com/ev32VVNmur
Boseman died in August 2020 after fighting cancer for several years. He kept his treatment under wraps and kept on working as long as he could. His contribution to cinema is being recognized by various awards. In January, he was given the Actor Tribute at the 30th annual Gotham Awards, according to Deadline.
Ledward accepted that award as well, saying, "As an artist, an actor, and a person, Chad made a practice of telling the truth. He is the most honest person I’ve ever met…because he didn’t just stop at speaking the truth. He actively searched for it in himself, in those around him, and in the moment…The truth can be a very easy thing for the self to avoid, but if one does not live in truth, then it’s impossible to live in line with the divine purpose for your life…and so it became how he lived his life, day in and out. Imperfect but determined."
Taylor Simone Ledward accepts the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama on behalf of her late husband Chadwick Boseman at The #GoldenGlobes. pic.twitter.com/uz20f1kPHi
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) March 1, 2021
His fans also couldn't stop themselves from celebrating his win. Many felt bittersweet emotions at their favorite icon's win.
One fan said, "It was well-deserved--he was outstanding in Ma Rainey. And just about everything else he gave us." Another one commended the entire cast of the film. "I saw that movie and I think the entire cast did a great job," they said.
And I'm gonna go cry some more pic.twitter.com/qYhmVCQFFx
— BackupTasha🇬🇲🇺🇸 (WEAR A MASK) (@ABackuptasha) March 1, 2021
Boseman always had beautiful words to inspire others. Some of his inspiring quotes also give an insight into his private struggle. "You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure," he once said, according to RollingOut.com. It shows that he wanted to make sure to showcase his talent to the world before passing away.
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything You gave me,'" he once said.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/28/entertainment/chadwick-boseman
Cover image source: Getty Images | Photo by (L) Emma McIntyre (R) Kevork Djansezian
