Chadwick Boseman earns posthumous Oscar nomination

GMA – Chadwick Boseman earned a posthumous Oscar nomination on Monday for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”The late actor, who died in August 2020 following a private, years-long battle with colon cancer, received his nomination in the best actor category. He is nominated alongside Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”), Gary Oldman (“Mank”) and Steven Yeun (“Minari.”)

This is Boseman’s first Academy Award nomination. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” based on the award-winning play by August Wilson, was also Boseman’s final onscreen role before his death.

In the George C. Wolfe-directed drama, set in Chicago in 1927, he portrayed the fictional Levee, a trumpeter with dreams of escaping the background of Ma Rainey’s band and composing his own music.

Viola Davis, who played Ma Rainey in the film, also scored an Oscar nomination for best actress in a leading role.

The film also received nominations for makeup and hair styling, costume design and production design.