Oscars 2021: Anthony Hopkins pays tribute to late Chadwick Boseman

The 93rd Academy Awards was held late Sunday evening in the US, and Anthony Hopkins won the Oscar in the Best Actor category for his performance in The Father. The news came as a surprise for many, as late actor Chadwick Boseman was expected to win the award for his performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Though Hopkins was not available during the event, the actor posted a video message later to acknowledge the award and thank the Academy. "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. I am really grateful to the Academy and thank you. I feel very privileged and honoured," he said in the video. 

Hopkins also paid tribute to Boseman and said that the actor "was taken from us far too early."

Directed by French novelist and playwright Florian Zeller, The Father features Hopkins as an elderly man with dementia.

This is Hopkins' second Best Actor Oscar. He previously won the award in 1992 for his iconic role as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. The victory also makes Hopkins the oldest Oscar-winning actor.

Aside from Hopkins and Boseman, the other nominees in the category were Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal), Gary Oldman (Mank), and Steven Yeun (Minari)

Boseman died on August 28, 2020, after battling colon cancer for four years.