Golden Globes 2021: Chadwick Boseman wins posthumous award for Best Actor

The late star's widow accepted the accolade with a stirring speech

Michael Potts, left, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. AP

Chadwick Boseman has won his first Golden Globe Award, six months after his death, with his widow accepting the accolade in a moving appearance.

The late star was posthumously awarded Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama at the 78th Golden Globes on Sunday, for his performance as trumpeter Levee Green in the 2020 film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Boseman’s wife, Simone Ledward Boseman, accepted the award on his behalf, appearing virtually at the awards ceremony.

Simone Ledward Boseman accepts the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' on behalf of her late husband, Chadwick Boseman. AP

“He would thank God. He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifices,” she said.

“He would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells us you can that tells you to keep going that calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history.”

Also nominated for the award were Gary Oldman (Mank), Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Tahar Rahim (The Mauritanian) and Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal).

Renee Zellweger announces the late Chadwick Boseman as winner of the Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama award for 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' at the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards. AFP

“I don’t have his words, but we have to take all the moments to celebrate those we love, so thank you HFPA, for this opportunity to do exactly that. And, honey, you keep ’em coming. Thank you,” Simone Boseman added.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was Boseman's last film. The Black Panther star died in August 2020, aged 43, after a four-year fight with colon cancer.

After the award’s announcement, many took to social media to celebrate the actor’s win and mourn his death.

“Proud that Chadwick Boseman’s last movie got an award,” Twitter user Malachi wrote. “I hope his wife is surrounded by all the love in the world and knows how much we’ve loved him. Forever will be missed.”

Boseman also received another special mention during the Golden Globes. During one of the ceremony's offbeat segments, TikTok star La'Ron Hines sat down with a few children in a classroom, asking them questions about the show.

One child said the awards show was honouring people sitting on the couch and brushing their teeth. Another said that The Queen's Gambit was about "firetrucks".

Things took a heartfelt turn as Hines asked the children if they knew who Boseman was. Without missing a beat, they each answered: "The Black Panther." One of the children added: "Chadwick Boseman is the good guy!"

“All those kids knowing exactly who Chadwick Boseman is. No one talk to me I literally cried my eyes out,” Twitter user Satine Burgoa wrote.

“Boseman’s legacy is unmatched,” Rashad Robinson, president of the US civil rights advocacy organisation Colour of Change, wrote on Twitter following the event.

“For decades, children will know and love him as our T’Challa, the Black Panther. This is why it is important for Hollywood to tell black stories so that black kids can continue to see themselves as heroes and kings on screen.”