Taylor Simone Ledward honored her late husband, Chadwick Boseman, at the 30th Gotham Award on Monday, while receiving the Actor’s Tribute Award for the “Black Panther” star.
Ledward’s virtual appearance was his first public appearance since Boseman died in August, aged 43, after a private battle with colon cancer.
She said it was an honor to receive the posthumous tribute on Boseman’s behalf “in recognition not only of her deep work, but of her impact on this industry and this world.”
“Chad, thanks. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us, ”she said during the emotional speech.
Ledward described the “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” star as the most honest person she has ever met.
“Because he didn’t just stop telling the truth, he actively sought it out: in himself, in the people around him and in the moment,” she said, according to People and the Wrap. “The truth can be a very easy thing for you to avoid, but if the person does not live in the truth, it is impossible to live according to the divine purpose for his life. And that was how he lived his life, day after day. Imperfect and determined.
“He was able to give himself totally in every moment, to be fully present in his own life and in the lives of the people he has become. He was blessed to live many lives within a concentrated life, ”continued Ledward. “He developed his understanding of what it means to be the none, the one and everyone. ‘A vase to be poured and placed,’ he said. He took advantage of the power to let go and let God’s love shine through.
The “Marshall” actor, “Get On Up”, “42” and “Da 5 Bloods” was also nominated for the best actor award for his work on his final film, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, but the award went to Riz Ahmed for “Sound of Metal”.
Ahmed would certainly recognize Boseman in his speech as well.
“Creativity is not a solo sport. And in that spirit, I want to thank all the others nominated for their work and their inspiration. And, in particular, Chadwick Boseman, I found his work truly inspiring in the way he conducted himself with such dignity and humanity, an example for all of us and for the actors of my generation. “
The Gotham Awards, organized by the Independent Filmmaker Project, were held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, and guests and nominees attended in person and virtually.
Boseman’s legacy was also honored at the special “MTV Movie & TV Awards: The Greatest of All Time” in December. His “Avengers” co-stars, Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr., presented the late star with a tribute to the Hero of the Age.