Chadwick Boseman posthumously won the SAG Award on Sunday for outstanding performance by a leading man for his work in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’
Boseman died in August after a private battle with colon cancer.
Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf with a moving speech.
“‘If you see the world unbalanced, be a crusader that pushes heavily on the seesaw of the mind.’ That’s a quote from Chadwick Boseman,” Ledward said in her remarks. “Thank you, Screen Actors. Thank you, Chad.”
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was his final screen performance and had already won him several awards so far during awards season, including a Golden Globe in February.
His performance beat Riz Ahmed in the Sound of Metal, Anthony Hopkins in The Father, Gary Oldman in Mank and Steven Yeun in Minari to win the award.
Boseman’s co-star in the film, Viola Davis, was also honored on Sunday. She took home the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role.
Several actors paid tribute to Chadwick in their own winning speeches. Davis thanked the “beautiful Chadwick Boseman” in her speech. Actor Daniel Kaluuya also dedicated his award to Chadwick saying: “This one’s for Chadwick Boseman, and this one’s for [Black Panther Party] Chairman Fred Hampton. Thank you so much.”
Daniel beat Chadwick to the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah.
There was also an In Memoriam segment at the awards which played tribute to Chadwick among others who had passed away since the last ceremony.