Viola Davis Reflects on Chadwick Boseman’s Strength: “Little Did I Know He Was Dying”

Viola Davis has always been known for keeping it real, and in a recent interview, she opened up about working with Chadwick Boseman on “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”; completely unaware that he was battling cancer. It wasn’t until after his passing in August of 2020, that she realized just how much he had been enduring while delivering one of the most powerful performances of his career.

Misunderstanding the Signs

During the 2020 Netflix drama’s production, Davis noticed that Boseman was often surrounded by his fiancée, Taylor Simone Ledward, and his makeup artist. She recalled seeing them give him back rubs and play meditative music between scenes. At the time, she didn’t fully understand why. “There was a part of me that was a little judgmental—why do you need all that?” Davis admitted (per The Times). “Little did I know that they were doing it because he was dying.”

Boseman had kept his colon cancer diagnosis private for years, choosing to focus on his work while quietly fighting the disease. His strength and determination allowed him to bring Levee Green, his character in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” to life with raw emotion—never letting on that he was suffering behind the scenes.

A Legacy of Dedication

It seems as though Davis has long admired Boseman’s work ethic, describing him as someone deeply committed to his work. Even while unknowingly witnessing his final performance, she could see that passion in every scene. “He was someone who had a quality that very few have today, whether young or old, which is a total commitment to the art form of acting,” Davis told InStyle in 2020 (after Boseman’s passing).

While most people know him as T’Challa in the MCU, Boseman’s legacy stretches far beyond being the Black Panther. His perseverance, kindness, and humility continue to inspire fans and fellow actors alike. According to Variety, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” even earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination; a testament to his talent and the heart he poured into his work until the very end.

Davis’s reflection is a powerful reminder that you never really know what someone is going through. Boseman’s ability to lead with grace (and keep a smile on his face), even in his hardest moments, is exactly why he remains one of the most beloved and respected actors of his generation.

The post Viola Davis Reflects on Chadwick Boseman’s Strength: “Little Did I Know He Was Dying” appeared first on EntertainmentNow.