Chadwick Boseman's family congratulates Anthony Hopkins for Oscars win: 'It's not a snub'

The late 'Black Panther' star was widely tipped as a favourite to win Best Actor, but the trophy went to the Welshman

Chadwick Boseman was nominated for, but did not win, Best Actor at the 93rd Academy Awards. Reuters

The family of the late Chadwick Boseman have denied claims the actor was "snubbed" at this year's Oscars.

The star was nominated for Best Actor at Sunday's ceremony, for his performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

While he was widely believed to be the favourite to win the prestigious trophy, after similar success at the Golden Globes and Sag Awards, the Academy Award went to Sir Anthony Hopkins, for his role in drama The Father.

The Welsh actor did not attend the ceremony, with the award collected on his behalf by presenter Joaquin Phoenix, in an anticlimactic end to the three-and-a-half-hour show.

While fans of Boseman, who died in 2020 aged 43 after privately battling colon cancer, were disappointed he was not posthumously awarded the title, the actor's family have revealed they didn't see his loss as a "snub".

Every nominated actor in the category was deserving of the award, the actor's brother, Derrick Boseman, told TMZ.

He also sent congratulations to Hopkins on his win, saying "I'm sure Anthony would if Chad won".

Indeed, while Hopkins may have been asleep in his native Wales when his name was called, he later posted a video thanking the Academy for the honour, as well as including a message for Boseman.

"At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award, I really didn't," said the actor in a video posted to his Instagram page on Monday.

"I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman who was taken from us far too early, and again, thank you very much. I really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honoured, thank you."

At 83, Hopkins is now the oldest-ever winner of an Academy Award in the acting categories, usurping the late Christopher Plummer, who previously held the title for his 2011 Best Supporting Actor win for Beginners at age 82.

Boseman's acclaimed performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was his last role filmed before his death.

However, the actor's brother told TMZ the star did not place too much emphasis on the Oscars, describing the awards as "a campaign".

Boseman's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom co-star, Viola Davis, also lost out on Best Actress at Sunday's ceremony.

See all the winners from Sunday night's 93rd Academy Awards: