Sir Anthony Hopkins pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman in Oscar acceptance speech.

Sir Anthony Hopkins pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman in Oscar acceptance speech

If you've been anywhere near the internet today, you'll probably already be aware of the unexpected  (and awkward) ending to the 2021 Academy Awards

In a nutshell, the usual running order for the ceremony was changed up to end on the Best Actor category instead of the usual Best Picture, presumably because the Academy's producers were expecting Chadwick Boseman to win the award posthumously for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (which would have ended things on an emotional note similar to the one we saw in the Golden Globes, when Boseman's wife Taylor Simone Ledward accepted the award on his behalf).

That wasn't what happened, though. Instead of the poignant climax producers were clearly betting on, Sir Anthony Hopkins — who wasn't attending the event in downtown Los Angeles, but was instead at home in Wales — was announced as the winner of Best Actor his role in The Father, in which he plays a man struggling with dementia in his later years. Joaquin Phoenix accepted the award on Hopkins' and the Academy's behalf, and the show abruptly ended.

SEE ALSO: All the winners from this year's Oscars

Back in Wales and presumably fast asleep when the award was announced, it's difficult to imagine just how much of a social media shitstorm Hopkins would have woken up to on Monday morning. But if he was in any way ruffled by the upset, he didn't show it.

Instead, the legendary Welsh actor took to Instagram to give a belated acceptance speech in which he paid tribute to Boseman, and that was perfectly in keeping with the type of wholesome social media content we're used to getting from him.

"Well here I am in my homeland in Wales, and at 83 years of age I did not expect to get this award — I really didn't," says Hopkins in the video, standing against a backdrop of blue sky and rolling fields. "I'm very grateful to the Academy — thank you — and I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early. 

"Again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honoured."

After winning a posthumous Golden Globe for Best Actor, Boseman was a clear favourite for the Best Actor Academy Award. He passed away in August 2020 at the age of 43, after a four-year battle with cancer. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was one of the last films he worked on.

Comments

  1. Congratulations Sir Anthony Hopkins for being properly recognized and rewarded based solely on your merit for your superior acting of your character in your recent film. As usual you accept with grace, wisdom, humbleness and honor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chadwick won Golden Globes, SAG and critics choice. Anthony can enjoy his one award ❣❣

      Delete
  2. If you're up against Tony Hopkins for an award, I don't know what to tell you. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd brag about it. "I lost but to Sir Anthonu Hopkins."

      Delete
    2. Except he cant brag about it cause he's dead

      Delete
  3. Make way. Your king is here...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations you deserve it and more..

    ReplyDelete
  5. 👏👏👏💙💙💙🌹🌹🌹

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am so happy for him--I am a big Anthony Hopkins fan. I went to bed too, show too boring but since the whole world acted like it was a done deal with Boseman, I went to bed. I do wish both actors could have won.

    ReplyDelete
  7. "I really did not expect this."

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is exactly what I imagined he'd do. He's a very decent man.

    ReplyDelete
  9. As he should. Great performance from Anthony Hopkins, but I was rooting for Chadwick Boseman. #Oscars

    ReplyDelete
  10. A gentleman of the old school.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hopkins wins, gives his acceptance speech and all people do is emphasize that he honored Boseman. This ceremony is not about Boseman. He gave a great performance but the Academy for once chose performance over sympathy

    ReplyDelete
  12. I mean sack the PR team or what, just makes no sense that he didn’t go to BFI. This feels sheepish and seems like he regrets it (unless there are other reasons more personal of course)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This man is old, and in his homeland. There is a worldwide pandemic. Nothing about this screams sheepish.

    ReplyDelete
  14. He’s always been a class act.

    ReplyDelete
  15. https://t.co/2kdy2cgB45?amp=1

    ReplyDelete
  16. his short tribute is more respectful than whatever the oscars did to chadwick boseman’s image.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A class act, this man

    ReplyDelete
  18. It’s yours sir 83 or 21.. it’s always yours.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AW HE SUCH A SWEET PERSON LOOK I ALREADY FALL IN LOVE TO SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS AND FALL MORE FOR THIS AMAZING PERSON

    ReplyDelete
  20. Amazing and deserved

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm glad he's taking it in stride (also didn't realize he was Welsh).

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Stay informed!