Story at a glance
- Anthony Hopkins beat the late Chadwick Boseman for Best Actor at the Oscars in a shocking upset.
- Hopkins released a video on Instagram giving thanks for his win and acknowledging Boseman.
- Hopkins won for his portrayal as a man losing his memory to dementia in “The Father.”
Anthony Hopkins posted a video message Monday acknowledging the late Chadwick Boseman after winning best actor at the Oscars on Sunday in a shocking upset.
“Good morning. Here I am in my homeland of Wales and at 83 years of age I did not expect to get this award, I really didn’t. I’m very grateful to the Academy, and thank you,” said Hopkins. “I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early, and again thank you all very much. I really did not expect this. So, I feel very privileged and honored … thank you.”
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Hopkins received the award for his role as Anthony, an elderly man who is progressively losing his memory to dementia, in “The Father.”
Boseman, who died in August from colon cancer, was favored to posthumously win the award for best actor for his role as Levee Green in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
Best actor was the final award of the night, with many assuming it was by design to allow for a tribute to Boseman, who was expected to win. However, Hopkins ultimately won the award, and since he wasn’t present at the ceremony, the show ended abruptly.
This is his second Oscar for best actor, his first being in 1992 for his portrayal of cannibal Hannibal Lecter in “Silence of the Lambs,” making Hopkins the oldest recipient of the award.
Though Hopkins’ win was unexpected, he did garner praise for his role.
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Published on Apr 27,2021