Chadwick Boseman honored by Viola Davis and Spike Lee in Netflix’s Portrait of an Artist

Chadwick Boseman honored by peers including Viola Davis, Denzel Washington and Spike Lee in Netflix’s Portrait of an Artist

Chadwick Boseman is honored by his peers in Netflix’s Portrait of an Artist, a documentary about the venerated actor in the wake of his death last summer from colon cancer.

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Spike Lee and Danai Gurira are among the actor’s peers who appear in the doc and remember the legacy he left in his career on the silver screen.

In the trailer, Boseman is heard speaking about how he looked at his craft: ‘I’m Chadwick Boseman. I’m an artist – people call me an actor. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an actor. I would call myself an artist.’

 The latest: Chadwick Boseman is honored by his peers in Netflix’s Portrait of an Artist, a documentary about the venerated actor in the wake of his death last summer from colon cancer. The late actor was snapped in LA in 2019

Davis, who worked with Boseman in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – which they both received Oscar nods for – opened up about the intensity the late actor brought to his scenes.

‘You know you have to step up when you’re in his presence,’ Davis said. ‘He’s looking at your work and he’s really hyperfocused, on the craft, on the process. That’s Chad.’

Phylicia Rashad, who taught Boseman acting at Howard University, said the late actor ‘was not going to limit his experience of growth and learning because of cultural differences.’

Lee, who directed Boseman in Da 5 Bloods, said that the actor brought ‘this weight’ and ‘aura’ to his roles.

Also appearing in the special are 42 director Brian Helgeland, Marshall director Reginald Hudlin, New Federal Theater Director Woodie King Jr., and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom collaborators Branford Marsalis, Andile Nebulane, Taylour Paige, Tate Taylor, Glynn Turman and George C. Wolfe.

Viola Davis said of the late actor, 'He's looking at your work and he's really hyperfocused, on the craft, on the process - that's Chad'

Viola Davis said of the late actor, ‘He’s looking at your work and he’s really hyperfocused, on the craft, on the process – that’s Chad’

Boseman's Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira is among the ensemble of artists who participated in the doc

Boseman’s Black Panther co-star Danai Gurira is among the ensemble of artists who participated in the doc

Lee, who directed Boseman in Da 5 Bloods, said that the actor brought 'this weight' and 'aura' to his roles.

Lee, who directed Boseman in Da 5 Bloods, said that the actor brought ‘this weight’ and ‘aura’ to his roles.

Boseman, best known for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther, also starred in movies like 42, Marshall, Get on Up and Draft Day.

The actor, who died August 28, 2020, was diagnosed with stage three cancer in 2016, and underwent ‘countless surgeries and chemotherapy’ in his battle with the disease, his family said, adding that he ‘died in his home, with his wife and family by his side,’ adding that ‘it was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.’

Phylicia Rashad, who taught Boseman acting at Howard University, said the late actor 'was not going to limit his experience of growth and learning because of cultural differences'

Phylicia Rashad, who taught Boseman acting at Howard University, said the late actor ‘was not going to limit his experience of growth and learning because of cultural differences’

Signature role: Boseman, best known for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther, also starred in movies like 42, Marshall, Get on Up and Draft Day

Signature role: Boseman, best known for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther, also starred in movies like 42, Marshall, Get on Up and Draft Day

Boseman is posthumously nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards April 25 for his performance as Levee.

His work in the motion picture has already garnered him a Golden Globe Award, Critic’s Choice Award, Gotham Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Portrait of an Artist is set to debut on Netflix April 17 at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT, and stay on the streaming service for 30 days.

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