Denzel Washington recently revealed the advice he gave late actor Chadwick Boseman. After noticing how Taylor Simone Ledward treated her then-boyfriend, Washington encouraged Boseman to marry her.
Boseman’s last film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, was produced by Washington, and the actor spoke about the movie with CBS Sunday Morning last December.
“Certain members of his team knew. His wife was there,” said Washington. “They weren’t even married yet and I used to watch how she took care of him, and I actually said to him, I said, ‘Man, you know, you need to put a ring on that finger,’ cause she kept her eye on him and she watched him. And I’m like, ‘Man, she loves that guy.’ You know, but I didn’t know what we know now.”
He went on to say how impressed he was that Boseman did all he did while fighting colon cancer.
“Well, credit to him; he kept it to himself. It was nobody’s business. He was there to deliver and he delivered.”
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Boseman filmed seven films after being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2019, including Black Panther, Da Five Bloods, Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
The Black Panther star agreed with Denzel Washington, and he proposed to Leward in October of 2019. The couple reportedly married sometime in 2020, months before his untimely death.
Boseman died with his wife and family by his side on August 28, 2020. The family confirmed the news of his death with an Instagram post.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
At the time of his passing, Washington also paid tribute to Boseman.
“He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist, who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career,” said Washington. “God bless Chadwick Boseman.”
