Michael B. Jordan Pays Tribute to Chadwick Boseman at NAACP Image Awards

Jordan named Entertainer of the Year, dedicates award to late co-star Boseman.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 1:23am

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At the 57th NAACP Image Awards ceremony in Pasadena, California, actor Michael B. Jordan was named Entertainer of the Year. During his acceptance speech, Jordan paid an emotional tribute to his close friend and late co-star Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43.

Why it matters

The NAACP Image Awards honor outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those who promote social justice through their work. Jordan and Boseman co-starred in the critically acclaimed film "Black Panther," which was a landmark moment for representation in Hollywood.

The details

Jordan dedicated the Entertainer of the Year award to Boseman, saying "As my brother, our time on this planet is short." He was reflecting on watching the "In Memoriam" segment of the ceremony, which honored those in the entertainment industry who had passed away.

  • The 57th NAACP Image Awards ceremony took place on March 1, 2026 in Pasadena, California.
  • Chadwick Boseman passed away in 2020 at the age of 43.

The players

Michael B. Jordan

An American actor who was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards.

Chadwick Boseman

An American actor who passed away in 2020 at the age of 43. He co-starred with Michael B. Jordan in the film "Black Panther."

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What they’re saying

“I was thinking about lead actor, and I was thinking about what lead actor meant to me. And honestly, I gotta dedicate this award to Chadwick Boseman.”

— Michael B. Jordan

The takeaway

Jordan's emotional tribute to his friend and co-star Boseman underscores the lasting impact Boseman had on the entertainment industry and the importance of representation and honoring those who paved the way. The NAACP Image Awards continue to celebrate and uplift the achievements of people of color in the arts.