Viola Davis Reflects on Judging Chadwick Boseman Before Learning of His Illness
You know, sometimes life teaches us lessons in the most unexpected ways, and Viola Davis recently opened up about one such moment she had with the late Chadwick Boseman. When they were filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom back in 2020, like the rest of the world, she had no idea that Boseman was privately battling colon cancer. And in hindsight, she admits she was judgmental—without even realizing the full picture.
In a heartfelt interview with The Times , Davis shared that on set, Boseman’s girlfriend and makeup artist would often rub his back and play meditative music. To her, it seemed like excessive pampering at the time. “There was a part of me that was a little judgmental—why do you need all that?” she confessed. But after learning the heartbreaking truth—that he was dying—her perspective completely shifted.
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Chadwick Boseman passed away in August 2020 at just 43 years old. He had kept his battle with colon cancer a secret, even from his colleagues, while delivering powerful performances and maintaining the quiet strength and dignity that defined his career. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom , which was released three months after his passing, earned him a posthumous Oscar nomination for his role as Levee Green. Looking back, Davis realized just how much he was pushing himself to give everything he had to his craft, even as he faced unimaginable pain.
Davis, who deeply admired Boseman, reflected on his life, saying that it wasn’t about how long he lived but how he lived. “What it makes me think is, it’s not the quantity, it’s the quality,” she said. “What I hold onto with Chad is that he lived his life his way.” She firmly believes he will be remembered not just for his legendary portrayal of T’Challa in Black Panther but for his authenticity and integrity, which remained unwavering throughout his career.
She also recalled that Boseman never seemed caught up in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. He was more focused on being a great artist than a movie star. That dedication to his craft and the impact he left behind is what makes his legacy so powerful. Director George C. Wolfe, who worked with Boseman on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom , described his performance as “empowering” and felt privileged to have witnessed such artistry firsthand.
Even years after his passing, Boseman’s presence is deeply felt. On the fourth anniversary of his death, his Black Panther co-star Lupita Nyong’o posted a tribute, saying, “Grief never ends. But it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay… Remembering Chadwick Boseman. Forever.”
Looking back, Davis’s experience is a reminder of an important lesson: we never truly know what someone is going through. Judgments, however small, can be unfair when we don’t have the full picture. Boseman’s life and legacy continue to inspire, not just as an actor but as a human being who lived with grace, purpose, and resilience. His story serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the impact one person can have on the world.
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