Viola Davis admits judging Chadwick Boseman on set, unaware of his cancer

Viola Davis admits judging Chadwick Boseman on set, unaware of his cancer

Viola Davis admits judging Chadwick Boseman on set, unaware of his illness

Award-winning actress Viola Davis has revealed that she initially judged Chadwick Boseman’s behavior on the set of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, unaware that he was privately battling terminal cancer.

In an interview with The Times, Davis recalled observing the special care Boseman received during filming in 2019, including back rubs from his girlfriend and meditative music played for him.

At the time, she 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,” she admitted.

Boseman, known for his dedication to his craft, had been secretly fighting stage IV colon cancer, which had progressed from stage III since 2016.

Despite his illness, he delivered a powerful performance in what became his final film role before his passing on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43.

Davis later praised Boseman as a “beautiful man and artist” with an unmatched commitment to acting, free from ego. Her reflections highlight the quiet strength Boseman displayed, working tirelessly while facing a battle that few around him fully understood.

Viola Davis admits judging Chadwick Boseman on set, unaware of his cancer