Remembering Chadwick Boseman: What Will Be His Legacy in His Final Award Season?

Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur

Taylor Ledward Boseman's tearful acceptance speech on behalf of her late husband punched through the Beverly Hilton Hotel and into homes across the country.

"He would thank God, he would thank his parents, he would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifices. He would thank his team."

A rather bittersweet highlight of the 78th Golden Globe Awards held last Sunday evening as Ledward Boseman attempted to honor the star.

Boseman took home the prize for Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama, only the second-ever won posthumously in the category, for his role in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." He played Levee Green, a gifted and ambitious trumpeter, opposite Viola Davis, beating out fellow nominees Gary Oldman, Riz Ahmed, Anthony Hopkins, and Tamar Rahim for his first-ever Golden Globe nomination and win.

The late actor, who passed away last August at 43 from a private four-year battle with colon cancer, left behind a legacy by playing characters with a legacy of their own. As Ernie Davis, Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall, Boseman fought for his place in cinematic history.

The pinnacle of his career is perhaps portraying King T'Challa in the smash Marvel hit Black Panther, one of the highest-grossing films of all time, although many will argue his final performance in Ma Rainey was indeed his best.

Boseman told the stories of Black groundbreakers. And he did it well.

Peter Finch won the Globe in 1976 for his role in Network and, most recently, Boseman. The history of posthumous nods spans decades, yet only a special few have won their categories.

"Posthumous nominations are a way to celebrate an actor not just for the work they did but for their entire life," says Jessica Derschowitz, Digital Features Director at Entertainment Weekly.

"It takes on a bigger meaning to celebrate someone this way after they have passed. These are performances where awards would be awarded anyway, not just because the person passed away."

Although Boseman will never physically hold his hard-won Golden Globe from Sunday, it is a touching tribute. Awards are meant to celebrate those who perform exceptionally on-screen and serve as benchmarks in a legacy. The giving posthumously, or even just a nomination, recognizes and provides closure to a career cut short. As seen with Boseman, to his wife, costars and fans.

"[Ledward Boseman] had so much grace accepting that award. Assuming he continues to collect awards on the way to the Oscars, she will have to do more of this," Derschowitz says.

"Hopefully, it will make her happy."

Boseman's Golden Globes win could preview what is to come. The win increases the odds of an Academy Award nomination, with the complete list announced on March 15. Finch went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor later that year following his Golden Globes success.

The last person to win a posthumous Oscar in an acting category? Heath Ledger in 2009 for his haunting and still-ubiquitous performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight. If Boseman follows Finch and Ledger in securing an Oscar win, he would be only the third posthumous winner in history.

Still, critics argue awarding to posthumous actors is simply to create buzz the next day.

Patrick Hopkins, a Golden Globes viewer and Boseman fan says, "I think posthumous awards are a piece of news that sticks around for a week and fades. People are finally getting over Boseman dying and moving on. To have that rehashed, especially for his wife, months later is tough."

This is a situation we see infrequently. Having an actor die in the same season we see a project is not common enough to warrant giving an award just because the actor passed away.

"I think the people who are voting for these nominees and winners vote because they believe they should win. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association isn't focusing on who will create an upset or make the news the next day," replies the Digital Feature Director.

As Boseman makes his way through his final award show season, a farewell tour of sorts, the critics will be there comparing his final performance and Ledger's Oscar-winning Joker. However, the only thing that should be compared between these two actors is the gut-wrenching heartbreak of losing them too soon.

"It is finally good to see Boseman get recognized for his career. I think many people will remember him as the Black Panther – which is great because it pushed boundaries – but now, he is recognized for a completely different movie," says Hopkins. "Hopefully, it will make fans go back and appreciate some of his earlier works."

"He would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you you can, that tells you to keep going, that calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history." Ledward Boseman harped on, channeling her husband's voice.

As March 15 rapidly approaches and the Oscar nominees are announced, remember that these performances go beyond just an award. Boseman will forever be remembered for pushing the limits and breaking barriers, just as his characters did.

"If you were to only be remembered as playing the first Black Marvel superhero, that in itself is a legacy, but I don't think he will be remembered just in that way. He played all these Black icons and gave electric performances. His career may have been brief but really powerful," Derschowitz remembers.

And as Ledward Boseman finished her speech, strength in her voice, she shared a moment with her husband. "I don't have his words, but we have to take all the moments to celebrate those we love, so thank you, HFPA, for this opportunity to do exactly that," she concluded.

"And, hon? You keep 'em coming."