Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis Make SAG History
When Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom actors, Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis took home top honors at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, it was the first time Black actors won the top film acting awards in the same year. Moreover, this year marked the first time the lead actor, lead actress, supporting actor, and supporting actress in the film categories went to non-white actors. The supporting actor trophy went to Daniel Kaluuya for Judas and the Black Messiah, and Minari actress Yuh-Jung Youn won the supporting actress category.
Boseman’s posthumous win continues the late actor’s dominance in the Best Actor categories. He previously won the Critics’ Choice Award and the Golden Globe for his role as trumpeter Levee Green. His widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf as she has done during previous award shows.
The two leads of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom — the luminous Viola Davis and the magnanimous Chadwick Boseman — prevailing at tonight’s @SAGawards for their unforgettable performances makes my heart smile. #SAGAwards
— Harry Beck (@MrHarryBeck) April 5, 2021
Earlier this year, Boseman made SAG history when he was nominated four times in a single ceremony. In addition to the lead actor win, he received nominations for supporting actor for his performance in Da 5 Bloods and best ensemble nominations for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Da 5 Bloods. However, he lost those races to Kaluuya and Trial of the Chicago 7.
Nominated alongside Boseman were Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Gary Oldman (Mank), and Steven Yeun (Minari).
Meanwhile, Viola Davis also made history when she became the first Black actress to win lead actress in a film twice. Previously, Davis won the award back in 2011 for The Help. In her acceptance speech, she thanked playwright August Wilson (who penned the stage play in 1984) for “leaving a legacy to actors of color that we can relish for the rest of our lives.” Davis previously won a supporting actress SAG and Academy Award for her performance in Wilson’s Fences (2016).
Davis triumphed over Amy Adams (Hillbilly Elegy), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman), Frances McDormand (Nomadland) and Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman).
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is more evidence that Viola Davis is arguably the best actor on the planet at the moment. Complete Powerhouse.
— David Archer (@Davidarcher93) April 4, 2021
Chadwick Boseman is also BRILLIANT, what a hero and inspiration that man was. #maraineysblackbottom #violadavis #chadwickboseman #oscars
These winnings make history for the SAG awards. Hopefully, we will begin to see more inclusion within the film industry. You can stream Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom now on Netflix.
Writer | Tweet me @Emily_N_Wolfe
