Chadwick Boseman receives his first ever Golden Globe nomination after he died at age 43

Chadwick Boseman receives his first ever Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom… six months after he died at age 43

The late Chadwick Boseman received his first ever Golden Globe nomination for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

On Wednesday it was announced that the actor posthumously received the nod for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. 

Famed for his role as the Black Panther, Boseman died at age 43 on August 28 after a private four year battle with colon cancer. At the time of his death, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was in post production.

Posthumous nod: The late Chadwick Boseman receives his first ever Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, for his role in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; seen in 2018

The George C. Wolfe directed Netflix film follows the life of Ma Rainey – an influential blues singer in the 1920s – played by Viola Davis, with Boseman starring as Levee Green, a self-assured trumpeter. 

Other nominees in his category include Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Gary Oldman (Mank), Tahar Rahim (The Mauritanian) and Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal). 

The announcement took place virtually and was hosted by past Globe winners Sarah Jessica Parker and Taraji P Henson. 

In addition to receiving the Golden Globe nod, he was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award, a Gotham Award and an Indie Spirit Award for his role in the film, which was his last before passing. 

Levee Green: Boseman got the nod for his role as Green - a self-assured trumpeter - in the Netflix film about an influential blues singer in the 1920s, tragically passing when the film was in post-production

Levee Green: Boseman got the nod for his role as Green – a self-assured trumpeter – in the Netflix film about an influential blues singer in the 1920s, tragically passing when the film was in post-production

News of Chadwick’s passing blindsided Hollywood over the summer, after the famed actor chose to keep his lengthy cancer battle a secret. 

His death was revealed on his Instagram and Twitter, with his camp sharing that he had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and it had progressed to stage IV, ultimately taking his life.

Both posts received a record number of engagement, with the tweet making history as the most ‘liked’ post in the site’s history at 7.5M. 

In the social media announcement it was also disclosed that he managed to film Black Panther, Marshall, Da 5 Bloods, and Ma Rainey’s Bottom, ‘during and in between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.’ 

He passed in his Los Angeles home surrounded by his wife Taylor Simone Ledward, who virtually accepted his Tribute Award at the Gotham Awards on January 11. 

Tragic loss: Co-star Davis had previously posted a video of the Black Panther actor playing guitar on set of the Netflix film, which was his last role before he passed on August 28, following a private four year battle with colon cancer

Tragic loss: Co-star Davis had previously posted a video of the Black Panther actor playing guitar on set of the Netflix film, which was his last role before he passed on August 28, following a private four year battle with colon cancer

'A life force': Davis told ET 'It's hard for me to see his life tragically. It just really is. He's one of those people you meet every once in a lifetime that are focused on every single moment'; behind the scenes of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

‘A life force’: Davis told ET ‘It’s hard for me to see his life tragically. It just really is. He’s one of those people you meet every once in a lifetime that are focused on every single moment’; behind the scenes of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

‘He was blessed to live many lives in his concentrated life. He harnessed the power of letting go and letting God’s love shine through. Thank you for giving Chad these gifts. It’s an honor to receive this award on behalf of my husband. Chad, thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us.’

His Ma Rainey castmates continue to remember Boseman’s performance in the film fondly, with Davis telling ET in an exclusive interview: 

‘There was nothing about Chadwick that was anything other than a life force, that was anything other than bringing his utmost to the work. The dedication. The integrity. It’s hard for me to see his life tragically. It just really is. He’s one of those people you meet every once in a lifetime that are focused on every single moment. Every single moment is intentional.’ 

As awards season gears up Boseman has been hailed as frontrunner, with possible Oscar nominations for his final roles on the way. The Golden Globes airs February 28. 

Award accolades: Boseman has been nominated for a handful of awards in his career, most recently an NAACP Image Award, a Gotham Award and an Indie Spirit Award; pictured at NAACP Image Awards March 2019

Award accolades: Boseman has been nominated for a handful of awards in his career, most recently an NAACP Image Award, a Gotham Award and an Indie Spirit Award; pictured at NAACP Image Awards March 2019