MTV dedicates 2020 Video Music Awards to the late Chadwick Boseman

MTV’s 2020 Video Music Awards wasted no time paying tribute to one of pop culture’s most recognizable talents, dedicating Sunday’s virtual awards show to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Tributes to the “Black Panther” actor have flooded social media since news of his death due to colon cancer broke Friday night. He was 43.

“We dedicate tonight’s show to a man whose spirit touched so many,” MTV VMAs host Keke Palmer said. “He is a true hero, not just on screen, but in everything he did.”

The broadcast’s first commercial break also paid homage to Boseman, featuring a minute-long spot highlighting his 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards “Best Hero” speech, Variety reported.

Viewers might remember Boseman promptly gave his award statue to James Shaw Jr., who thwarted a gunman at a Tennessee Waffle House in April of that year, the entertainment site reported.

Boseman’s other film credits included, but are not limited to, “42,” “Marshall” and “Da 5 Bloods.”

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Stars shine on the MTV VMAs 2020 red carpet Lady Gaga attends the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, broadcast on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. (Kevin Winter/MTV VMAs 2020/Getty Images for MTV)

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