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Chadwick Boseman earns posthumous Oscar nomination

6:03
'GMA' reveals 1st round of Oscar nominations
David Lee/Netflix
ByHayley FitzPatrick
March 15, 2021, 2:07 PM

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.")

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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.

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Chadwick Boseman as Levee, Glynn Turman as Toldeo, Michael Potts as Slow Drag, Colman Domingo as Cutler in the 2020 film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
David Lee/Netflix

Boseman has received several awards for his performance in the film already.

He won both a Golden Globe award in the lead actor in a drama category and a Critics Choice award for best actor for his performance. His widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, delivered emotional acceptance speeches on his behalf at the award shows.

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Boseman is also nominated for four SAG awards for his performances in the "Ma Rainey" film and the Spike Lee-directed drama, "Da 5 Bloods."

Check out the full list of nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards here.

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