Award-winning actress Viola Davis revealed her initial misunderstanding of Chadwick Boseman’s behavior while filming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, admitting she was unaware of his private health battle.
In an interview with The Times, Davis recalled noticing the extra care Boseman received on set—back rubs from his girlfriend, meditative music, and moments of rest—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.”
At the time, Boseman was privately battling stage IV colon cancer, a diagnosis he had kept secret since 2016. He tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43.
Following his death, Davis praised his dedication to his craft, calling him a “beautiful man and artist” who displayed total commitment to acting, free from ego.
