Denzel Washington secretly paid for Chadwick Boseman to go to acting school at Oxford University.
The Training Day star paid tribute to Boseman today after the tragic news was announced that he had died of cancer, aged just 43.
Speaking about the Black Panther star, Washington said he was a fine actor whose legacy will live on.
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He told the Hollywood Reporter: "He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist, who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career.
"God bless Chadwick Boseman."
Since his passing was confirmed earlier today (29 August), an old story of Washington's kindness has been shared once again on social media.
It goes back to Boseman's university days, when he attended a prestigious summer acting programme in the UK.
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But while he and friends were accepted onto the course, Boseman revealed in an interview with Jimmy Fallon that they couldn't afford to go.
It was only when his teacher, Phylicia Rashad, encouraged other actors to help fund the trip that he and his classmates were able to attend it.
For some time, Boseman refused to reveal the names of the people who supported the trip. It was only at an American Film Institute dinner honouring Washington when was able to thank him.
Speaking at the event, he said: "I know personally that your generosity extends past what you have given on the stage and screen.
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"Many of you already know the story that Mr. Washington, when asked by Phylicia Rashad to join her in assisting nine theater students from Howard University who had been accepted to a summer acting program at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford.
"He gracefully and privately agreed to contribute. As fate would have it, I was one of the students that he paid for."
Adding: "Imagine receiving a letter that your tuition for that summer was paid for and your benefactor was none other than the dopest actor on the planet."
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Boseman went on to say that he and the fans owed Washington a huge debt.
He said: "There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington.
"And not just because of me, but my whole cast. That generation stands on your shoulders."
In a statement posted to Boseman's Twitter, his family revealed the actor had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016. He'd been battling with the illness for the last four years as it progressed to stage IV.