Chadwick Boseman posthumously won a Creative Arts Emmy this Saturday, two years after his tragic death of cancer at the age of just 43.
He was given the award for his voiceover work on the Marvel cartoon What If…?, in which he reprised the role of Black Panther that made him a global star.
His widow Taylor Simone Leonard accepted the prize and according to Deadline declared: ‘Chad would be so honored and I am honored on his behalf.’
‘Chad would be so honored’: Chadwick Boseman posthumously won a Creative Arts Emmy this Saturday and his widow Taylor Simone Leonard accepted the prize
Details: He was given the award for his voiceover work on the Marvel cartoon What If…?, in which he reprised the role of Black Panther that made him a global star
Boseman died with his wife at his side two years ago last Sunday, after a four-year battle with colon cancer he kept secret from the public.
Black Panther at the time had a sequel in the works, and the film that eventually got made wound up excluding his character rather than recasting it.
He recorded his lines for What If…? in four sessions prior to his death. ‘In hindsight, it’s very moving,’ Marvel boss Kevin Feige told Emmy magazine.
‘When I learned Chad was nominated,’ his widow said from the stage Saturday: ‘I started thinking of everything that was going on in the world and our world and being so in awe of his commitment and dedication and what a beautiful moment that one of the last things he would work on was something so important to him and to the world but also something new.’
The way they were: Boseman and Leonard are pictured together in New York in November 2019, at which point they were rumored to be engaged
Throwback: Boseman died with his wife at his side two years ago last Sunday, after a four-year battle with colon cancer he kept secret from the public; pictured in January 2019
She added: ‘You can’t understand your purpose unless you ask what if? What if the universe is conspiring in my favor? What if it’s me?’
Boseman and Leonard, a singer, started dating in 2015 and four years later rumors began swirling that they were engaged.
However the fact that they were married did not leak to the public until his family dropped the bombshell in their shock statement announcing Boseman’s death.
‘He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side,’ the family shared. ‘The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.’
Global superstar: Black Panther (pictured) at the time had a sequel in the works, and the film that eventually got made wound up excluding his character rather than recasting it
His death left his fans thunderstruck and provoked a massive outpouring of mourning from his admirers both in and outside the industry.
Boseman’s critically acclaimed performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, an August Wilson adaptation starring Viola Davis, was nominated for a slew of awards.
However despite some fans’ expectations that his death would assure him an Oscar win, the prize ultimately went to Anthony Hopkins for The Father.
Boseman did win a Golden Globe for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom during a ceremony that happened to fall on the six-month anniversary of his death.
Artistry: Boseman’s critically acclaimed performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, an August Wilson adaptation starring Viola Davis, was nominated for a slew of awards
However: Despite some fans’ expectations that his death would assure him an Oscar win, the prize ultimately went to Anthony Hopkins for The Father
His widow accepted the award virtually on his behalf, breaking down in tears as she delivered an emotional speech.
‘And I don’t have his words,’ she said: ‘but we have to take all the moments to celebrate those we love, so thank you HFPA, for this opportunity to do exactly that.’
The movie star died without a will and Leonard has divided his $2.3 million estate evenly with his parents Leroy and Carolyn Boseman.
Overcome: Boseman did win a Golden Globe for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and his wife tearfully accepted on his behalf in an emotional speech