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Denzel Washington paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer yesterday at the age of 43. The “Training Day” star had a strong connection to the “Black Panther” star’s career.
In addition to the still unreleased film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” that Boseman recorded was produced by Washington, the veteran actor was also responsible for paying for the then rookie’s acting studies.
“He was a kind soul and a brilliant artist, who will remain with us for eternity through his iconic performances throughout his short but illustrious career. God bless Chadwick Boseman,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
When Boseman was studying conducting at Howard University in the United States, his teacher wanted him to take an acting course at Oxford. Unable to afford the summer abroad program, she enlisted a friend to help her with tuition. The actor would only find out who had borne the costs sometime later.
“I basically kept that secret throughout my career. When I came back, I got a letter from the beneficiary saying Denzel Washington paid for you,” Boseman said in 2018, during an interview on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Boseman and Washington met at the premiere of “Black Panther” in 2018 in New York. It was then that the veteran learned about the history of Oxford. Washington’s response at the time was, “Oh, is that why I’m here? You owe me money. I’m here to collect!”
