CHADWICK Boseman is nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars just seven months after his tragic death following his battle with cancer.

The late actor is going up against Gary Oldman, Riz Ahmed, Anthony Hopkins, and Steven Yeun.

Fans were pleasantly surprised and excited to see that Chadwick, who sadly passed away from colon cancer a few months ago, was being honored with the highest accolade of the industry.

He is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his character in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, where he appeared alongside Viola Davis.

Other actors nominated for the award include Gary Oldman for his role in Mank, Steven Yeun for Minari, Anthony Hopkins for The Father, and Riz Ahmed for Sound of Metal.

Chadwick's co-star, Viola, also got herself nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Viola is up against Andra Day for The United States vs Billie Holiday, Vanessa Kirby for Pieces of A Woman, Frances McDormand for Nomadland, and Carey Mulligan for Promising Young Woman.

This year's winners will be announced at a delayed Oscars ceremony on Sunday, April 25.

Chadwick's nomination for Best Actor comes after his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted a Critic's Choice Award on his behalf.

He had also won Best Actor for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Chadwick's widow said as she accepted the award while holding back tears: "Wow. It has to be said aloud that for those of us who know Chad intimately, personally, professionally, those he taught, those he gave a word of advice, those who taught him – it is so hard to find a celebratory feeling in these moments.

"As proud as we are of him, yes for his work, but even more just for who he is as a person. But his work deserves this.

"His work in this film deserves this. He deserves this, and so he would always thank God first and foremost in everything."

Taylor looked visibly upset as she shakily went on: "He would always honor his mother and his father.

"He would always acknowledge those who came before him, those who charted the path, those who gave him their gifts.

"He may say something about the importance of this story. About the importance of Black voices telling Black stories.

"He may take this moment to give honor to August Wilson, one of the greatest playwrights of our time."

She continued: "And, as I recently read, societies grow great when all men plant trees in their shade. They know they may never sit, and our society may be a far cry from great, but I know that the seeds you planted will grow into forests.

"And one day we too will be tall enough to reach the heavens. Thank you, Critics' Choice and thank you, Chad."

He also received his first Golden Globe back in February for the same role and Taylor was also there to receive it.

Chadwick proposed to Taylor in October 2019 after four years of dating.

The Marvel star was diagnosed with stage-three cancer in 2016, and secretly had "countless surgeries and chemotherapy."

The Black Panther star died at his home in Los Angeles on August 28.

He was buried on September 3 at Welfare Baptist Church Cemetery in Belton, South Carolina, 10 miles from his hometown of Anderson.

Simone has been named the administrator of his $1 million estate.

Oscars 2021

Best Picture
The Father
Judas and the Black Messiah
Mank
Minari
Nomadland
Promising Young Woman
Sound of Metal
The Trial of the Chicago 7

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Riz Ahmed – Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins – The Father
Gary Oldman – Mank
Steven Yeun – Minari

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Andra Day – The United States vs Billie Holiday
Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman
Frances McDormand – Nomadland
Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman

Since his death, news of Chadwick's kind gestures towards terminally ill children have emerged.

Back in September, Black Panther producer Nate Moore revealed their final texts had been about organizing gifts for a sick young boy from his Marvel character, T'Challa.

And in a resurfaced clip on 2018, Chadwick was seen breaking down and crying when speaking about two kids with terminal cancer.

Source: Read Full Article