The MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time has been special in many ways, while one of the best celebrations at the event took place when Chadwick Boseman was honored for his contribution. The late actor was honored by Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle with the Hero of the Ages Award.
Both the actors pre-recorded their tribute for Boseman, which was shared during the event on Dec. 5. MTV noted before presenting the honor that this award is special for the star who was not a hero only on-screen but has surpassed being a true hero in real life.
The Black Panther star passed away after battling colon cancer in August. The actor was 43-year-old when he died, and recently on his 44th birthday, close friends and family remembered him. Downey said in his pre-recorded message that Boseman's intensity and energy were undeniable.
The 55-year-old actor further said that Boseman showed what it really meant to become a superhero. Cheadle continued Downey's statement and said that he used to influence and inspire everyone working there every time Boseman used to enter the set.
"He had an incredible power to unify people in their love for his work and their respect for him as a person. The way he lived his life united people behind a higher purpose, and that will be his legacy," he added. The 56-year-old actor further noted that he created a new group of fans with every new character he portrayed on-screen.
Cheadle admitted that he was most celebrated for his role in Black Panther. Still, as an actor, he created an impact on many lives by portraying characters such as Jackie Robinson in 42 released in 2013 based on sports drama, James Brown in Get on Up released in 2014 based on music drama. Thurgood Marshall in Marshall released in 2017 based on the legal drama.
Although the actor admitted that Chadwick would be known as the Black Panther forever while he has painted some powerful roles of men who changed the real world. The House of Lies star further said that the actor brought truth and humanity in his on-screen presence of such "larger than life" people.
The actor further said that Boseman did such characters in order to honor the memories of such iconic figures. Downey also reflected on the philanthropic work done by Boseman amid his own cancer battle.
Besides Boseman, the event honored other stars such as William Zabka, Jason Segel, Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Selma Blair, Kristen Bell, Drew Barrymore, and Kevin Bacon.