Award-winning actress Viola Davis has opened up about her initial judgments of Chadwick Boseman’s behavior while filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, admitting she was unaware of the health struggles he was privately enduring.
In an interview with The Times published Friday, Davis reflected on working alongside Boseman in the 2020 film—his final role before his passing. She recalled noticing the special care he received on set, including back rubs from his girlfriend and meditative music being played for him, and initially questioned why he needed such attention.
“There was a part of me that was a little judgmental—why do you need all that? Little did I know that they were doing it because he was dying,” Davis said.
Boseman, known for his commitment to his craft, was privately battling stage IV colon cancer at the time of filming in the summer of 2019. His diagnosis, which he had kept from the public, had progressed from stage III since 2016. He tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43.
Following his death, Davis described him as a “beautiful man and artist” who was deeply dedicated to his work. “He had a quality that very few have today, whether young or old, which is a total commitment to the art form of acting—regardless of ego, regardless of any of it,” she said.
Her latest comments highlight the silent battle Boseman faced while continuing to deliver powerful performances, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and artistry.
