In 1998, Denzel Washington sponsored Chadwick Boseman’s Oxford acting programme; years later, ‘Black Panther’ star recalled his ‘you owe me money’ response

Long before Chadwick Boseman became a household name for playing T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther, a helping hand from veteran actor Denzel Washington had quietly supported his journey towards becoming an actor. Boseman was among a group of students from Howard University who received financial assistance to attend a summer acting programme in Oxford, England. At the time, he had no idea that Washington was one of the people who had contributed towards his fees.Years later, after Boseman had established himself in Hollywood, he finally got the opportunity to thank the veteran actor in person. However, Washington’s response was far from the emotional exchange one might have expected. He greeted the future Marvel star with a playful reminder that he still owed him money, turning a meaningful moment into a memorable anecdote.How Denzel Washington helped Chadwick Boseman attend an acting programme in OxfordThe story dates back to 1998, when Boseman was studying at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He and fellow students had been accepted into a summer theatre programme at the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in Oxford. Although the opportunity offered valuable exposure to theatre and acting, the cost of attending posed a financial challenge.Their acting teacher, Phylicia Rashad, best known for her role in The Cosby Show, approached several of her celebrity friends for assistance. Washington was among those who agreed to contribute towards the students’ expenses. According to BADA, Boseman was one of ten Howard University students who attended its Midsummer in Oxford programme with support from Rashad, Washington and other donors.The contribution was made without Washington seeking public recognition for it. Boseman later learnt who had helped him when he received a letter informing him that his tuition had been paid for by Washington.Chadwick Boseman kept the story private for yearsBoseman did not immediately reveal the identity of the person who had helped fund his studies. In a 2018 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he explained that he had kept the information to himself for much of his career.The actor said he had received a beneficiary letter after returning from the programme, which identified Washington as the person who had paid for him. Discovering that the acclaimed Hollywood star had contributed towards his education left a lasting impression on him.Boseman also explained that he wanted to wait until he had achieved a certain level of professional success before speaking publicly about the gesture. He did not want his gratitude to be mistaken for an attempt to gain something from the established actor.Denzel Washington’s unexpected response when they finally metThe two actors eventually met in person around the time of the 2018 Academy Awards, when Boseman was enjoying the success of Black Panther. The film’s release had brought him international recognition, giving him an opportunity to acknowledge the person whose generosity had helped him years earlier.During an interview on the Oscars red carpet, Boseman recalled Washington’s reaction when he approached him. Rather than responding with a formal exchange of thanks, Washington jokingly said, “You owe me money!” He followed it with another quip: “I came to collect!”Boseman described the conversation as fun. The light-hearted response made the encounter particularly memorable, even though the original contribution had been a gesture of support rather than a conventional loan.Chadwick Boseman publicly thanked Washington at the AFI tributeBoseman later shared the story again in June 2019, when he paid tribute to Washington at the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award ceremony honouring the veteran actor.During his speech, Boseman recalled how Washington had agreed to help nine other theatre students from Howard University who had been accepted into the Oxford programme. He described the moment of discovering that his benefactor was someone he admired on screen as an extraordinary experience.Boseman also credited Washington’s contribution as an important part of his own journey, famously declaring, “There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.”His words highlighted how a relatively private act of generosity could have a lasting impact on another person’s life and career.From an aspiring actor to Marvel’s Black PantherBoseman’s career subsequently took him from stage and television work to some of Hollywood’s most prominent films. Before becoming T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Black Panther (2018), he portrayed several influential real-life figures, including baseball legend Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013), soul musician James Brown in Get on Up (2014) and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017).Released in 2018, Black Panther became a major cultural and commercial success, earning more than $1.3 billion worldwide. The film received seven Academy Award nominations and won three, including awards for costume design, production design and original score.Boseman’s performance as T’Challa helped establish the character as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most recognisable heroes. His journey from a student seeking opportunities to a leading Hollywood actor made the story of Washington’s early support particularly resonant.Denzel Washington and Chadwick Boseman’s connection continued beyond the scholarshipTheir connection extended beyond the Oxford programme. Washington later served as a producer on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), one of Boseman’s final films, which also starred Viola Davis.Boseman died on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43, following a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He had continued working during his illness, delivering a widely praised performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, released posthumously later that year.Following Boseman’s death, Washington paid tribute to him, describing him as a gentle soul and a brilliant artist whose performances would endure. Their story remains a reminder of the impact that support offered early in someone’s journey can have, even when the person receiving it goes on to achieve success far beyond what either individual could have anticipated.Washington’s contribution did not make Boseman’s achievements possible on its own, but it helped him access an important educational opportunity. And years later, when the two actors finally spoke about it face-to-face, Washington’s humorous demand for repayment gave their story an unexpectedly warm ending.Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!