Despite building hype for a possible Chadwick Boseman win, the Academy honoured Anthony Hopkins with Best Actor award for his performance in “The Father.”
At the time of the announcement, the 83-year-old actor was sound asleep in Wales; and since there were to be no zoom speeches this year, he could not deliver an acceptance speech from his home.
So the night ended quite awkwardly with fans complaining that the Academy duped millions into thinking that Boseman would bag the award and the ceremony would end on an emotional note.
On Monday morning, Hopkins posted a brief acceptance speech where he paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman.
“Good morning. Here I am in my homeland in Wales. At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award, I really didn’t. I’m very grateful to the Academy – thank you,” he said.
“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, I feel very privileged and honored, thank you.”
The Academy might have spared itself of the controversy if it had allowed Hopkins to join the night via Zoom. But it appears even the organizers had no idea that the 83-year-old actor would win over Boseman.
