When the Golden Globes announced its nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture this week, the late Chadwick Boseman earned a posthumous nod for his role as Levee, the gifted but troubled trumpet player in Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
The Black Panther star died in August at the age of 43 after a four-year-long battle with colon cancer. This was Boseman’s first Golden Globe nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and the last film he completed before his death.
Many in the industry expected the nod, with Boseman having received both Gotham and Spirit nominations this awards season, and was cited for his exceptional work from the Chicago, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics groups. Not surprisingly, many expect the late actor to be a front-runner for an Academy Award nomination later this year.
It was a bit of a surprise when Boseman wasn’t nominated for a Golden Globe back in 2018 for his extraordinary critically-praised work in the Black Panther. He did, however, take home the People’s Choice Award that year for Male Movie Star of the Year.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was adapted by Ruben Santiago-Hudson based on the popular August Wilson play.
Also earning a nod for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was Viola Davis, who plays the legendary blues singer and head of Levee’s band, during a sweltering recording session in 1920s Chicago. According to CBR.com, this is Davis’ sixth Golden Globe nomination overall, having previously won for her turn in the film adaptation of Wilson’s play, Fences.
And that’s not all the award news headed his way. Boseman also accomplished what no actor has ever done, becoming the first person nominated for four SAG Film Awards in a single year, as he was recognized for Best Actor for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Best Supporting Actor for Da 5 Bloods, and being named among the Outstanding Ensemble category for both films.
Chadwick Boseman continued to work during his battle with cancer including voice work for Marvel Studios’s upcoming What If…? series on Disney+.
Featured Image: Netflix
Source: Golden Globes
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