The late actor Chadwick Boseman has earned a posthumous honor at this year's Gotham Awards. Boseman will be highlighted through the virtual ceremony's annual actor tribute. He is also nominated in the "Best Actor" category for his role in the upcoming Netflix film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Boseman suddenly passed away at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer. He is best known for his roles in 42, Get On Up, Marshall and of course, Black Panther. His passing surprised many of his friends and colleagues because he decided not to disclose his cancer diagnosis with many people.
"Chad deeply valued his privacy, and I wasn’t privy to the details of his illness. After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him," Black Panther director Ryan Coogler said of Boseman.
"Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering. He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art. Day after day, year after year."
Boseman's legacy will live on in his released works and the films that have yet to be released. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom will arrive on Netflix later this month with star performances from both Boseman and Viola Davis. Marvel and Disney are also set to resume work on the sequel to Black Panther this summer. The studio has not released any details regarding Boseman's character, T'Challa.
Boseman will posthumously receive the first honor for his latest work on January 11, 2021 through the Gotham Awards.
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