Chadwick Boseman has left an indelible footprint on Hollywood. The Black Panther actor, who passed away last August after a private four-year battle with colon cancer, has been posthumously nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
During a press run in 2018 for Black Panther, Boseman told ABC Audio the significance of being recognized by the Academy for his work.
“I think it would be — it’s meaningful any time any film is acknowledged,” he said. “And any part of a film — whether it be behind the scenes, design, director, performers — is always meaningful to be acknowledged by the Academy.”
As the seventh actor to receive a posthumous Oscar nod, if Boseman wins he would become the third actor to posthumously do so — following the likes of Heath Ledger in 2009 for The Dark Knight and Peter Finch in 1977 for Network.
Boseman said “being a part of the Academy” gave him a certain understanding of just how important the Oscars race is.
“Because… I know the caliber of people that are in there,” he said. “And that actually vote and care about this this art form that we do.” (AUDIO IS ABC 1-ON-1)
The 93rd Academy Awards air Sunday, April 25, live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.