Denzel Washington reflects on 'gentle soul' Chadwick Boseman and their special connection

Before his untimely death, Chadwick Boseman spoke openly about how Denzel Washington was one of the reasons he was able to pursue acting. Washington did, after all, secretly pay for him to go to a prestigious summer theatre program at the University of Oxford. But Boseman wasn’t able to meet and thank Washington until the New York premiere of Black Panther, an event that Washington recalled at the Toronto International Film Festival this week.At the In Conversation With… Barry Levinson and Denzel Washington virtual chat moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg on September 17, Washington was asked if he could reflect on Boseman and his passing given that connection. “A gentle man. A very, very gentle soul, a great talent, obviously. Thrust in this position,” Washington slowly said.The actor then recalled going to that New York premiere for Boseman’s mega-film (the first superhero movie ever to be nominated for an Oscar). “I remember shedding a tear,” he revealed. “Because I was like, man, these young guys are just gone. Like, they’ve taken over… No matter what, sooner or later, you're not gonna make it all the way around the track. You watch the young boys run and watching that movie, I felt like man, they’re gone,” Washington continued.“Who knew he didn't have much life left? But he didn't get cheated. We did. He didn't get cheated. We did. I pray for his poor wife and their family. They got cheated. But he lived a full life,” the actor continued.Boseman died at the end of August after a secret four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43 years old, and his death rocked fans and fellow celebrities alike. The last film he did (in between treatments) is a full-circle one: the upcoming Washington-produced movie Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The fictional period piece features the real-life “Mother of Blues,” and is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson. Viola Davis plays the legendary character, while Boseman plays her trumpeter, Levee.

 

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It was an honor to speak at this tribute, which airs tonight @ 10pm on @TNTDrama. Thank you to the @AmericanFilmInstitute for an inspiring evening. #AFIDenzel

A post shared by Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) on Jun 20, 2019 at 10:35am PDT

“There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington. Not just because of me, but my whole cast, that generation stands on your shoulders,” Boseman said in June 2019 when Washington was honoured with the AFI's Lifetime Achievement Award. “You built a body of work, characters, movies, moments that defied the limitations of story and success that has historically been available to the Black actor,” he continued. “And amongst all the great male leads of Hollywood history, you measure up as great, if not greater, if not the G.O.A.T. And that would be enough to give, but I know personally that your generosity extends past what you have given.”Denzel isn’t the only Washington who reflected this week on what a presence Boseman was on screen and in real life. In addition to many other celebrities who have shared tributes, Washington’s son, John David Washington, spoke to People this week about the late legend's tragic death.[video_embed id='2026854']RELATED: Letitia Wright pens moving poem for Chadwick Boseman [/video_embed]“He was just as warm and welcoming as you would hope a leading man would be,” John David revealed on September 16 while doing press for his new film Tenet. “That's what he was, a leading man. He exemplified professionalism. He exemplified the kind of artist one would hope to be. He was very serious about his work."The actor then added that Boseman kept his personal life very private. “At the same time, he did a lot of work in the community and he spoke openly about our community's relationship in Hollywood. He had a global impact, being the face of one of the biggest franchises of all time in our industry,” John David continued. “He was responsible for a lot of positive change and a lot of medicine administered to a lot of kids that look like me with hopes and dreams of maybe becoming what he can become. It was a huge loss, but it's a time to celebrate and forever celebrate him and what he has done. There's only one true king and that is Chadwick Boseman.”The 2020 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 10 to September 19.[video_embed id='-1']BEFORE YOU GO: Corgi chomps down on tasty watermelon [/video_embed]