Apr 26, 2021 - Economy

Anthony Hopkins pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman in Best Actor acceptance speech

Axios

A mural of Boseman in south London. Photo: John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images

Anthony Hopkins accepted his Academy Award for Best Actor in a short video on Monday, saying from his native Wales that he "did not expect to get this award" and wants to "pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early."

Why it matters: At 83 years old, Hopkins is the oldest actor to win an Oscar — his second for Best Actor — for his performance as a man struggling with progressive dementia in "The Father."

Many viewers were shocked to see Hopkins win Best Actor over Boseman, who was posthumously nominated for his performance in "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom." Boseman died last year at age 43 after a private years-long battle with colon cancer.
Hopkins was not present to accept his award at Sunday's Oscars, which ended abruptly with presenter Joaquin Phoenix accepting the honor on behalf of the Welshman.

What they're saying: “Here I am in my homeland in Wales,” Hopkins said in the video. "At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award, I really didn’t. I’m very grateful to the Academy."

"I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early,” he continued. “I really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honored."

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Anthony Hopkins pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman in Best Actor acceptance speech

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