We already have a good idea that Chadwick Boseman was more than just a hero on the big screen. The kindness and generosity he showed in his everyday life has touched the hearts of everyone he encountered and those he worked with. One of those who was deeply affected by Boseman was Sienna Miller, who starred with him in one of his final films, 21 Bridges.
Miller spoke to Empire about her experience working alongside Boseman in 21 Bridges, a film he both starred in and produced. He requested her specifically for the role, and while she admits to having no desire to act in anything, she wanted to star alongside him, as well. But Boseman took it to the next level to not only get her into the film, but to make sure she was paid fairly, even if it came at his own expense…
“I didn’t know whether or not to tell this story, and I haven’t yet. But I am going to tell it, because I think it’s a testament to who he was,” Miller said. “This was a pretty big-budget film, and I know that everybody understands about the pay disparity in Hollywood, but I asked for a number that the studio wouldn’t get to. And because I was hesitant to go back to work and my daughter was starting school and it was an inconvenient time, I said, ‘I’ll do it if I’m compensated in the right way.’ And Chadwick ended up donating some of his salary to get me to the number that I had asked for. He said that that was what I deserved to be paid.”
Miller continued, “It was about the most astounding thing that I’ve experienced. That kind of thing just doesn’t happen. He said, ‘You’re getting paid what you deserve, and what you’re worth.’ It’s just unfathomable to imagine another man in that town behaving that graciously or respectfully. In the aftermath of this I’ve told other male actor friends of mine that story and they all go very very quiet and go home and probably have to sit and think about things for a while. But there was no showiness, it was, ‘Of course I’ll get you to that number, because that’s what you should be paid.’”
This isn’t the first such story detailing Boseman’s magnanimity, and it probably won’t be the last. While his time was cut all too short, the mark he’s left on the world will never be forgotten.
