Actor Chadwick Boseman's widow Simone Ledward paid a tearful tribute to her late husband as she accepted an award on his behalf at the 2021 Gotham awards on Tuesday (Jan 12).

Designed to reward independent film-makers, it is the first significant awards event of the season.

Boseman was honoured with the Gotham's annual tribute award, along with actress Viola Davis, his co-star in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, British film-maker Steve McQueen and producer-director Ryan Murphy.

In her heartfelt speech, Ledward said: "He was the most honest person I ever met … He was blessed to live many lives within his concentrated one."

The Black Panther star died last August after a four-year battle with colon cancer, which he did not make public. He was 43.

His marriage was also kept secret until after his death, when Ledward was granted the authority to administer his estate.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020), a biopic about the celebrated blues singer, was his swansong.

For his role as feisty trumpet player Levee, he was nominated for the Best Actor award at the Gotham, but lost out to Riz Ahmed, who played a drummer with hearing problems in Sound Of Metal.

Ledward, who was on set with Boseman on his final movie, said in her tribute: "He harnessed the power of letting go and letting God's love shine through. May we not let his conviction be in vain. It is my honour on behalf of my husband."

She added: "Chad … thank you. I love you. I am so proud of you. Keep shining your light on us."